Am I/Health Visitor overreacting?

[KelaH]

DD (6 months) had some egg the other day, and she seemed to have a reaction to it - her face got quite blotchy almost immediately, with a small blister on her cheek. She seemed fine apart from that, and it went down quite quickly (was getting better within an hour, went entirely overnight). I wasn't too worried about the actual reaction, but figured it was an allergy, and mentioned it to the HV. She has now contacted a paediatric dietician, who will make her an appointment (2 month waiting list), and has also recommended we see the GP to get a referral to allergy clinic - is this an overreaction? I'm not sure - I would like some advice on what to avoid, and about when to try reintroducing egg to see if she has grown out of the allergy (fingers crossed), but also don't want to be PFBish.

[dilbertina]

hmmm, sometimes later reactions can be much worse, Also egg stuff is in some immunisation injections so you will need to have special arrangements if she is allergic. Better to know for sure.

[dilbertina]

hmmm, sometimes later reactions can be much worse, Also egg stuff is in some immunisation injections so you will need to have special arrangements if she is allergic. Better to know for sure.

[LackaDAISYcal]

If she has had this reaction to egg then it's wise to take precautions as egg can be a bad one.

the way it was explained to me is that the first time the body is exposed to something it doesn't like it goes "hmm, what's this?, not sure I like it" and there is usually a mild reaction. Second and subsequent exposures are usually much worse as the body thinks "Eeeew, I remember this stuff; I definately don't like it" and reacts much more violently.

if it is an allergy it can be potentially life threatening if she is very sensitive; so better to err on the side of caution imo

I would only give her egg again once you have had the testing done and she is under the care of an allergy specialist.

[jellybrains]

I agree with everyone I would definately go for testing and avoid eggs until you know for definate.

[jellybrains]

I agree with everyone I would definately go for testing and avoid eggs until you know for definate.

[KelaH]

Ok, thanks, I have zero experience of allergies so have no idea what I am dealing with. Also, I am breastfeeding, should I avoid eating egg too?

[likessleep]

it is good that you are getting your dd checked out. my son had similar reactions to egg at 7 months and i was just told to try reintroducing egg gradually when he is a year old (by a paedetrician for his reflux).

i feel a bit like i have been left in limbo, without any further tests or information. so i would say take advantage and use the information you can get.

[likessleep]

sorry my last post didn't make sense! i was seeing a paed for ds's reflux, when i mentioned egg reaction and he told me to just avoid giving him egg until he is at least a year.

should i also see my health visitor as well do you think?

i wish i had such a good HV

[KelaH]

From the advice I've been given here, I would say either tell your HV or GP - I am having to see GP now to get referral to allergy clinic. How old is your son now?

[jellybrains]

I don't know about breastfeeding and eating eggs speak to your HV if they are any good!

[desperatehousewifetoo]

I would have thought that you have eaten quite a few eggs in past 6 months that you have been breast feeding? So wouldn't worry too much.

I would go for any appointments you can get because then you will be 'in the system' and hopefully can be seen again later on for review.

Some children, I think, can outgrow allergies very early i.e. in first year. Whereas others (like my ds) do not. I don't think they can predict which direction each child will go in. Therefore, I would also suggest avoiding any food containing egg until you are given specific instructions to do something else.

Egg is a pain to avoid but, imvho, is easier than milk. And you may find, after testing, that it is only egg white or yolk that has to be avoided.

[KelaH]

Yes, desperatehousewife, I have eaten loads of eggs, am worried that this may have caused the allergy as she reacted the first time she had egg. Am starting to get a bit more worried about it as I have just baked some cupcakes (with egg) and she seems to have a rash n her arm, where I may have touched her after washing the egg off my hand.

[desperatehousewifetoo]

My ds reacts with egg and some nuts just by being touched too. Wash her arm immediately (i'm sure you already have).

Sounds like allergy testing a good idea.

Keep her away from the cupcakes! You can get recipes for vegan cakes i.e. eggless.

My son loves a vegan choc cake he has had for his birthday. And also, health food shops sell powder egg alternative you can use in recipes.

[McDreamy]

DS has an egg allergy, much the same symptoms you describe although the rash was over his whole body. We were advised that egg is the most common childhood food allergy and the most likely one they will grow out of. He is now 3 and we are going to test him again once we return to the UK (we live abroad at the mo but returning to the UK in the Autumn). At the time DH (GP) looked into allergy testing but was advised there was no need. He is not allergic to any other food.

I am pretty sure he has grown out of it as he has grabbed his sisters food when my back has been turned I am sure with no reaction.

Hope whatever yo decide to do reassures you and that your DD grows out of it. I remember how frightened I was when he had his initial reaction.

[McDreamy]

Oh and the childhood imms now no longer contain egg so we didn't have to take any extra precautions.

[KelaH]

Oh, don't worry, she won't be touching the cupcakes - adults only

Thanks for info on imms Mc Dreamy; HV did say that was the case, but could to have it confirmed.