could this be excema?

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Background info - ds had a very sore face with a hives type rash after eating ketchup at 3yo. He didn't have it for ages then at 5yo had it and face did the same all over, behaviour changed and he became very thirsty. Saw gp who referred pead cons but RAST tests ruled out tomato and peanut allery to derived it's ketchup. Overall IgE was low at 14.

He then suffered terrible hayfever this year swollen black eyes, runny nose and occassionly behaviour changes and sudden nasal congestion so was prescribed anitihistamine 4xday. Hayfever seems ok now so not on antihistimine.

He gets a very red dry face when this 'allergies' occur.

He was away for 3 days with mum and dad and he had 'hives' on his face so they gave him antihistamine 4xday and I continued now he's home.

Only thing is that his face is still VERY red with dry skin and when I spoke to pharmacist yesterday for recommendations of what to out on it she referred me to GP. (apt later today)

I'm wondering whether this could be excema and if it is excema whether its still related to allergy?

Anyone else had experience of this and got any suggestions about what I should say to and/or ask GP?

Sorry for long post just really want some answers for ds.

It could be eczema, does he have dry skin anywhere else? I think eczema usually appears when children are younger than your DS

Possibly he rubbed his face too much when he had hives and it hasn't had a chance to heal properly? Some sort of cream to protect his face for a bit might help.

In terms of the hives and ketchup, could it be a celery allergy? I believe it can cause problems for some and I've just looked at our (Heinze) bottle and it specifically mentions that it contains celery.

It does sound like eczema, there are some pretty good creams out there for it.

cerery allergy - worth considering thanks .

he doesn't have it anywhere else but was told the skin behind his ear that was dry and got infected (when he was about 6mths) was excemea but he's had none since.

I'm lucky I have the gp who will sit and listen to past history and concerns instead of just heres a cream for that iyswim which is why I'm hoping to find the cause not just treat the problem iyswim.

Yes, fair enough, however unfortunately it can take a while to get to root of the cause (DD is 3.10 and has had eczema since birth but we keep it under control with pretty good moisturisers).

Don't get me wrong - sorry if I was unclear - I want to treat the problems with his skin on his face now, guess its just knowing it occurs generally when he's touched had something specific if I knew what it was I could avoid it.

Think if i'm honest I'm worried what will happen when he goes to school monday as ds is a very placic child and easily picked on and upset and I don't want his first day to be remembered as 'what happened to your face'

What does your dd use is there anything specific you would recommend i ask the gp for?

Hopefully you can soothe it down by Monday

Different creams suit different people..a lot of creams didn't agree with my DD but we have used Epaderm for years, and it works really well.

Also we use a tiny bit of hydrocortisone if it's really bad or she has had an allergic reaction to something.

thankyou, I'm seeing gp in 2 hours so I'll pop back here and fill you in

Good luck

OK very productive trip to the GP but a little .

Saw GP who I saw after ds had the severer reaction to ketchup. I explained about how he had had hayfever but had stopped giving him antihistamine daily as he seemed to be ok - weather had been rain etc. He agreed the rash on his face is 'hives' which he described as uricicia (sp?).

He sratched lightly with his nail a 'w' on DS back which immediatly came up in whelts.

He has apparently got this uricia condition which is an allergic condition and seems the weather has improved and count got high and he'd been camping - GP is convinced its pollen.

He has to take a antihistimine tablet everyday and also can have the antihistimine elixer to counteract a reaction if one appears. Got given doublebase for his skin and oilatim for bath and told to use non-bio washing powder which I do. Cannot use any soap etc unless plain so I can see me carrying around special handwash as well as allergy meds!!!

Basically DS has allergic skin. I've looked up what GP said on the internet and theres a condition called 'dermetographism' (sp?) which descibes DS perfectly.

Good news is some people do grow out of it although its uncommon and only effects 2-5% of population.

I can't offer alot of advice (saw your other thread) but I have dermographism. I was told by a dermatologist in my twenties but have always had it. It has gone hand in hand with eczema of various degrees over the years.

The dermatologist prescribed daily antihistamines which reduced my itching alot (I hadn't realised how much I scratched till a housemate commented afterwards) and the eczema also improved probably as I wasn't scratching as much.

It sounds like you've got a good GP. I hope your DS improves very soon.

It is an excellent GP who I saw he really takes the time to take the history and listen. DS has been given daily antihistime tablets which hopefully I can get down him - left it until tomorrow and try.

At the minute theres no need for ds to see a demotologist as GP did the 'welt scratch test' and can prescibe me the treatments required.

I'm hoping all improves soon too as he starts yr 2 on Monday and the kids are at that age when they ask things such as 'whats that on your face etc' and ds is such a placid child he'll just say nothing and then come home in tears. I've told him its an allergy and the tablets will help it go.

He sounds good.

My DD has that kind of skin AND eczema, and various food allergies requiring us to carry am Epipen, it is a pain, but you just become used to it

Don't feel too despondent about your son being picked on. Small kids don't tend to notice skin complaints too much and, once they are used to each other, it is not often an issue.

Yes, he may well get questions like 'what's wrong with your face?' but it tends to be natural curiosity and you should think about teaching your son a standard response. 'I have eczema' has worked in most situations for dd2.

yeah I'm sure it will just become routine iyswim. Its reassuring to know I'm not some ridiculous hypochondriac mum as when we've been out and DS shows the telltale signs of a reaction beginning I've always drawn up antihistamine in the syrnge which he then takes himself. Lots of times people have said buts he's fine etc. Yes he is if I give med straight away but leaving it would be another matter.

Mentioned this to GP who reassured me it it is allergy and I'm doing the right thing.