fish allergies...

[MadMonkeys]

Dd2 is cows milk intolerant and possibly gluten intolerant (paed suspects this but we haven't reintroduced to confirm yet). The second tine she had tinned salmon her face and hands went red and bumpy in seconds of her eating it. This subsided after about an hour. I guess this is an allergic reaction as it was so fast? I understand that a salmon allergy is often part of a wider allergy of finned fish. I'm not inclined to give her any other sort of fish because of the risk of a severe reaction. The paed was reluctant to do allergy tests on her. She is 8mo, are tests likely to be accurate on a baby? Would a test for, say, cod only show positive if she has already been exposed to cod?

Because of the milk intolerance and now reaction to salmon I'm concerned she may have multiple food reactions and I feel like we're dealing with this alone without much guidance. I'm scared she will have a severe reaction. We're seeing a dietician on the bus for the first time on Friday - will they be able to arrange tests? Or will it be another long wait for an appt with someone else? We saw a paed privately through dh's work medical insurance but wil have to pay for any more private appts and money is a bit tight. any advice would be very welcome.

[MadMonkeys]

On the NHS, not on the bus, that would be novel... :)

[ClaireOB]

Even though you are seeing the dietician on Friday, I would also contact the Anaphylaxis Campaign helpline as this does sound like an allergic reaction and, as far as I know, paediatric allergy clinics are able to allergy test infants. They are very friendly and helpful and should be able to help you prepare for your appointment on Friday.

[MadMonkeys]

Thanks Claire, I phoned them and they were very helpful. I feel like I know what to ask for on Friday, the lady I spoke to was surprised we haven't been referred to a paediatric allergy consultant, so that is what I will be asking for. She also said she would expect DD2's intolerance to be dairy rather than gluten from the symptoms, so I feel a bit more confident about reintroducing gluten. It would be lovely if she is not gluten intolerant...

The dietician should be helpful in advising on how to deal with a cow's milk free diet, but perhaps not the best person to help with allergies.

[ClaireOB]

That's good to hear MadMonkeys, good luck on Friday and with any further referrals.

[MadMonkeys]

Thanks Claire. Do you have allergies/children with allergies?

[ClaireOB]

me - eczema, DH hayfever (getting progressively milder, hooray), had a few outbreaks of hives which at the time were suspected possible food reactions but thankfully turned out just to be random urticarial episodes and she hasn't had anything like that for several years. DH very asthmatic and allergic as a child, now scarcely any asthma but has had a few angioedema episodes (fairly mild), linked to exposure to cypress pollen. There a family history of fatal asthma though, so we take these things - and the need for proper diagnosis - seriously.

[ClaireOB]

me - eczema, teenage DD hayfever (getting progressively milder, hooray), had a few outbreaks of hives which at the time were suspected possible food reactions but thankfully turned out just to be random urticarial episodes and she hasn't had anything like that for several years. DH very asthmatic and allergic as a child, now scarcely any asthma but has had a few angioedema episodes (fairly mild), linked to exposure to cypress pollen. There a family history of fatal asthma though, so we take these things - and the need for proper diagnosis - seriously.

[MadMonkeys]

Claire, that must be frightening with your family History. thanks for your advice.

[Galaxymum]

I am severely allergic to fish and all seafood - just a recommendation when avoiding seafood check for carageenan which is in a LOT of milk products, meat and desserts including ice creams, trifles, mousses, cakes etc. This is a seaweed product and can cause similar reactions to other seafood products. Well worth highlighting to check when you're grocery shopping as you may think something is ok and wonder.

[MadMonkeys]

Thanks Galaxy, that's very useful, I wouldn't have had the feintest clue what carageenan is!