Rash on arms & legs, any ideas?

[Eowyn]

My dd gets spots on her legs every so often which I assume is a reaction to food & they go away after a while. I am a bit concerned now as she has spots on her forearms now, she scratches & is a bit bothered by them tho I don't think it's any kind of illness.
My parents give her strawberries sometimes which I know can cause a reaction but the only thing she's had recently that's a bit different is pear, which I read somewhere does not cause any reaction.
I don't think it is worth going to a doctor but I wondered if anyone has had anything similar or knows what she is likely to be reacting to.
DH thinks it's mites biting her but I think this is ridiculous, I do clean (occasionally!) DD is 3. Thanks.

[Caroline5]

It does sound like an allergic reaction, I think, as it sounds very similar to my dd2's eczema. She just gets these red "pimples" on both her arms and legs and scratches madly at it until it bleeds. It is definitely caused by dairy products in her case. I hadn't done anything about it, but hv thought it needed aqueous cream and possibly also hydrocortisone. Keeping her fingernails short has really helped.

Could it be an allergy to some type of material that only touches arms & legs? Or a pet??? Sorry, just guessing!

[SamboM]

What about washing powder? I use fairy for dd and persil for us and if her stuff gets in with ours she gets a rash.

[SamboM]

Sobernow, we posted together!

[SamboM]

Sobernow, we posted together!

[Eowyn]

That is interesting, although I have eczema I hadn't thought her spots were as her skin isn't dry. I must remember to cut her nails tho, they seem to grow so quickly.
Washing powder - use Persil non bio & apart from some Ariel a few months back always have, & use same conditioner. Is Fairy "safer" or any others?
She is crazy for painting, I hadn't thought of anything like that. It is really difficult to know what it could be, do you think a HV might have any ideas?
I guess at the end of the day I have pretty sensitive skin so maybe she has too but it would be nice to have an idea how to help her.
Thanks for your thoughts.

[robinw]

message withdrawn

[Eowyn]

RobinW, as you're there, I asked the Dr about getting her tested for nut allergy last week, as I'm allergic. I was surprised that he said it was highly unlikely that she would be as specific allergies are not usually hereditry. He said to continue to keep her away from nuts until 5ish as you say, but by then to introduce her to some, not peanuts, via ice cream for example, & that if she was going to react she would probably have a stomach upset.
I would rather know, so that when everyone leaves peanuts around at Christmas again I don't have to spend the whole time sounding like neurotic mother.
I really like my Dr, he is first I've had who takes time to explain things, so I suppose I should trust him & not worry so much, but when you read of things that can happen, it is hard.
I had intended to ask your opinion...

[robinw]

message withdrawn

[robinw]

message withdrawn

[Eowyn]

Hi, thanks for info. The gp did say there was unlikely to be any reaction to a test as she wouldn't have the antibodies yet, then went on about how the most common causes of death etc in children are cars/home etc.
She is not asthmatic & I don't think I am but dogs & cats make me very wheezy & ill-feeling, otherwise am only allergic to nuts. Dh not allergic to anything. He asked about my reaction to nuts, of course as I avoid them I have only had one incident in last ten years, when I couldn't breathe properly for a couple of hours, but he didn't mention epipens at all.
He made me feel I was over reacting, if it had been any other Dr I would tend to think he was in the wrong but this one has been so helpful with advice about my eczema I do like him, so not sure what to think.
Can you contact allergy places direct to arrange tests, don't want to go to one in a health food shop particularly as I gather they diagnose loads of intolerances.
Her rash isn't any worse but when she's tired a patch of her cheek gets a bit lumpy which looks horrid but then goes. Presume she is scratching, am trying to keep her hands a bit cleaner.
Wish I knew all the answers.

[bunny2]

Your gp should refer you to a local hospital for allergy testing. Ds has had them several times. They can do skin prick tests and blood tests.

[bunny2]

Sorry, posted too soon, ds is nearly 3 and was old enough to have tests. He has just had some which show a potentially fatal allergy to cashew nuts.

We have always used fairy non-bio powder, when I switched to SurCare (recommended for eczema sufferers) ds was covered from head to toe in a rash. I rushed him offto hospital (I always panic) and 2 different nurses suggested it was caused by a change of powder. Switched back to Fairy and his skin has settled again.

[robinw]

message withdrawn

[Eowyn]

Thanks, I'm aware of the severe reactions that have been in the news - hence my concern, so don't worry about frightening me. The case I always remember is of a girl who held her dads hand after he'd eaten peanuts, and died.
We do live near a hospital & I think if it ever comes down to me testing her, I will park very near it. Day to day, as I'm allergic we're rarely anywhere near nuts although my dad looks after her & eats handfuls after lunch, when she first went to theirs I wrote down warnings about how he was to wash his hands before touching her etc... not sure he does but on the other hand I know they would never risk anything happening to her.
Anyway, I think I will contact Anaphylaxis people, I think they must be based very near me from what I recall, I would be happy to pay for us to be tested just to know.
Re washing powder, I do have a bit of fairy - will have to work out how to do a load of her stuff in it & remember what I've done & whether she itches. Nothing is simple...

[robinw]

message withdrawn

[Eowyn]

Just want to say thanks Robinw for so much info. I will follow up & let you know when I get an answer, I do appreciate the time you've taken.