Peanut allergy but no epipen

[WtfWasThis]

My DS is 16 months and was recently diagnosed with a peanut allergy. This was following a reaction to a tiny nibble of peanut butter on toast, where he developed a severe rash and major facial swelling. No lip swelling or breathing difficulties as far as we were aware.

We have not been given an epipen, with is apparently due to the guidelines for our area (west of Scotland) as his reaction was not anaphylaxis. We have been advised to give piriton on the first sign of a reaction, and if worsening a second dose of piriton 10 minutes later and call 999.

Is it usual not to have an epipen with a peanut allergy? I would rather have an epipen just in case; I am concerned as reactions tend to get worse each time and his first reaction was pretty bad. Is there any way I can get one? I have no objection to paying but I cannot see how I'd go about it.

[Toraleistripe]

Exactly same here. Same level of reaction. Nut allergy including peanut. No epipen, we just carry Piriton everywhere which is a bit of a pain.

[lennonj]

Same with my 14 year old, had itchy swollen lip, itchy hot throat, vomiting to any nut he's accidentally tasted (generally in chocolate) but skin prick tests show allergic to all nuts. Just advised to carry antihistamine. Feel ok about it as he's had quite a few reactions and it hasn't got worse.

[MayfairMummy]

Unfortunately, it's usually a case by case (and locality by locality) thing. While peanuts get all the news, there are more people with allergies to other things that are just as bad as described, but who are also not given an epipen. We are in central london and were given one a few years ago - mainly because of the size of our skin prick reaction to peanut, however DS is also allergic to dairy, soy, wheat, corn, eggs, tree nuts, legumes & gourds... so probably swayed by the chances of allergies layering and causing a 'bigger' overload on the system.

WRT reactions getting worse each time, this isn't necessarily the case, so please don't be too concerned about it. Usually they stay the same for a while, plus it's also possible that they get better (DS can now tolerate baked egg without major reaction whereas he used to vomit for about 4 days if I ate baked egg, and he had my breast milk). The reaction you described is probably best treated by piriton. If it gets worse, and you do have an anaphylactic incident, I can tell you from experience that the ambulance will prioritise and be there super quick ... and they may not use an epipen anyway (eg piriton and salbutamol can work wonders!).

While we had a script for an epipen, when DS started nursery, it was a fight to get a second one to leave at the nursery. Now that he's had an ana reaction (to we still don't know what; it was probably a contaminated foodstuff), we have managed to get 2 for nursery and 2 for home (as recommended by pretty much all allergy specialists).

If you'd feel more comfortable getting an epipen, and the gp won't prescribe one, then the easiest way is to get a private appointment with an allergy specialist and get them to write a script. Be aware though, that carrying an epipen doesn't mean you won't still want/need to carry piriton. We have both at all times. Most reactions are best treated with piriton, the epipen is there in case it all goes pear shaped....

Best of luck; i do understand your concern, I'm not meaning to sound dismissive, but there is 'some' reason as to why they're not giving you an epipen....

[Onsera3]

It seems to be the general policy. We weren't given one initially.

But when we were travelling to a very peanuty country the GP was happy to prescribe me two. I'm worried about the plane environment and it isn't really possible to find peanut free restaurants there. I'm not so stressed in UK.

[Kanga59]

I wouldn't worry about not having an epipen. The experience you describe wasn't anaphylaxis and it would have been if the allergy was properly severe. I have experienced anaphylaxis from.someone kissing me on the cheek after they had eaten nuts earlier that day. just carry Piriton which is marvellously effective, esp the liquid. and actually your child will never consume nuts now that you know thy are allergic

[wtftodo]

We weren't prescribed one initially, but we were given piriton and salbutamol inhaler to give her if she had a wheezy reaction while waiting for ambulance. At the second visit at 18months St Thomas prescribed epipens.

[ishopthereforeiam]

Bit late to this thread but id strongly recommend you get an epipen even if by private appointment. These allergies can change and significantly increase in severity with no warning. From the mum of a dd who was pn allergic since 1 with mild reactions and now goes into anaphylactic shock with pn and shellfish x