My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Allergies and intolerances

nut allergy lack of advice

12 replies

rainingelephants · 20/11/2014 12:45

My child has had 2 allergic reactions after the second one I pushed for him to be referred to have allergy testing to clarify what hes allergic to and as he now goes to nursery so I could notify them as he is more at risk of reaction outside the home.

They did a skin prick test and there was a clear reaction to hazelnuts small reaction to cashews and small reaction to brazils .
We were advised to use oral antihistamine daily as I had been doing and to not eat any nuts and discharged with no review needed and no epipen unless he develops significant asthma or has a more severe reaction in future.

I went to gp and queried this to which I was told the risks of epipen outweigh the need?.

We have not been told what to do if he has another reaction(obv as I reacted to the second time quickly with antihistamine he was ok and it didnt progress)how long to wait for antihistamine to work before ringing ambulance etc what to advise the nursery, no allergy management plan.

Sorry for all questions im just not sure what advise and support I should be receiving/recieved and any other useful advice as I feel a bit brushed off by the professionals

OP posts:
Report
leekandpotato · 20/11/2014 22:35

contact your docs who did the testing and question them again. we did. for our son who did need epi pens, and for daughter who so far does not.

you need to know why and its a doctors job to explain in simple terms their diagnosis.

Report
rainingelephants · 20/11/2014 23:10

il try them contacting tomorrow and see what they say, I spoke to anaphylaxis campaign as i didn't know who else to ask advice from they said suprised the hosp taken it so lightly and they havent done any follow up testing and left it at that and discharged my son,and that there is no way to test or predict the severity the next allergic reaction.

One of the reasons the paediatrician said was that as his allergy is under control he is unlikely to need anything other than antihistamine .
This is through me being so thorough with what he eats etc so he hasn't had a reaction for 7 months but he is at more risk of having one in nursery / school which is why im confused about lack of advice we have been given and wondered if this was normal

OP posts:
Report
rainingelephants · 22/11/2014 00:34

Contacted where the test was done and the paediatricians secretary said that I need to speak to the school nurse? I said that as the school nurse isnt an allergy specialist doesn't know his medical history,test result details and the lack of advice / details on letter I was sent after the test. Also the school nurse isnt on site she visits for routine school age tests etc
So waiting for drs secretary to get back im touch with me

OP posts:
Report
SavoyCabbage · 22/11/2014 22:06

We didn't get an epipen when dd was diagnosed with a peanut allergy at 4. She had a skin prick test and we were told she was allergic rather than anaphylactic.

She sometimes has cross contamination reactions and feels sick and then usually throws up. This happens about once every two to three years.

We have an epipen now since we were not allowed to take her antihistamine syrup through Dubai airports.

Report
BeeBawBabbity · 30/11/2014 22:32

My dd was diagnosed 8 years ago with peanut allergy after a reaction. It wasn't anaphalactic but her whole face was swollen and covered in hives. She's now 10, due to go on residential trips with school and off to high school in a couple of years. I was never given an epipen for her, since Piriton given early has always worked. But he last time she reacted (which was peanut butter cross contamination) I had to double the dose of piriton and it took ages to work effectively.

I think I'm going to have to challenge the gp for an epipen. I was also told the risks outweighed the benefits, but I'm not really sure I know what they mean?

Im in Wales, I'm not convinced the doctors we saw had any specialist knowledge, plus a lot of the advice has probably changed in 8 years. It is hard when you have to let them out in the big wide world to manage it themselves....

Report
leekandpotato · 01/12/2014 08:51

Get an epi pen Bewbawbabbiity the risks of not having one are far more dangerous.
ring the anaphylaxis campaign for advice.

look up the NICE guidelines and go back to gp.

good luck.

Report
chocomochi · 02/12/2014 19:56

DD1 doesn't have an epipen for peanut allergy (hives and itchiness controlled by piriton).

DD2 has an epipen for peanut allergy, but it's because she vomited and had a cough afterwards.

If piriton doesn't work and she has a shortness of breathe (and you don't have an epipen), I would call an ambulance.

Report
Camolips · 02/12/2014 20:00

Can someone enlighten me on the risks of an epipen. Dd3 has one and I've never been told of any risks, either by our own gp or at anaphylaxis training at school.

Report
zombiesheep · 02/12/2014 20:06

I have a nut allergy and after having an anaphylactic reaction to a walnut the doctor at the hospital advised I got an epi pen. So I made an appointment and the doctor gave me 2! I was 19 (earlier this Jan). I would go back and ask again.

Report
bananaandcustard · 02/12/2014 23:04

there are no risks to having one. an adrenaline filled auto injector is perfectly safe.

what isnt safe is not having one when you need it.

Report
chocomochi · 03/12/2014 19:29

What the consultant said about DD1 not having one is that some people may not know when/when not to use one properly, e.g. using it when you don't need to. That's the only "explanation" I had. Not sure where the risk is, but someone else might be able to explain properly?

Report
SnowSpot · 03/12/2014 19:32

Nothing to do with your dilemma - but my DS is nut/egg/sesame allergic and I found this amazing bracelet for him. He wears it full time and it has 'idiot proof' pictures of what he is allergic to. it's been literally a life-saver as one mum was about to give him a bit of another child's hamburger, looked at the bracelet (thank god) and saw he was allergic.

www.allerbling.com

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.