Allergy to nuts/ezcema

[EvaAnna]

Hi I've just joined the forum. My DD2 has just had a RAST test and shown allergeis to lots of things including mixed nuts; sesame seeds; chick peas. She has severe ezcema which is kept under control at the local dermatoloty unit. However, she just keeps swelling up for no apparent reason, the last time in the shopping trolley at Tesco. The doctors refer me to the dermatologist who refers me back to the GP. I don't know where to turn. I am so afraid that she is going to have a bad reaction to something when I'm not around and just don't know what to advise those that care for her i.e. school/childminder. She is 4 yrs old.

I'm also not sure if her allergies are linked to her ezcema and the doctor doesn't seem to be able to offer any advice.

I wonder has anyone got experience of this?

My DD had mild ezcema and our doctor said it was linked to asthma. I'm not sure about the food allergies though, mine didnt have any.
Perhaps it's worth you getting a second opinion from another GP?
My GP also told me that her ezcema should start clearing up when she reaches 5, she's nearly 5 now and it's pretty much all gone, although in Europe the Doctors reckon ezcema will clear at around age 7.

Hi EvaAnna, the allergies are linked to eczema in that they are all atopic problems as are asthma, hayfever and environmental allergies like dustmites.

You can have eczema without allergies or vice versa but kids with eczema are at a higher risk of allergies and asthma. Our dermatology unit has links to the allergy specialists at the hospital - could you ask for a referral to a specialist via your dermatology unit? Who carried out the RAST tests for you? Did they follow up with an appointment with a consultan to discuss the results?

Is it facial swelling? If it seems to be linked to food she's eating then keep a food diary to try give you some clue as to the cause.

My son is just 4 and has had food allergies and severe eczema since he was born so I have experience of both problems.

Thanks for your replies. I didn't get a consultation about the results. In fact I was there about something else and the doctor just mentioned that the results were in and seemed suprised that I didn't know (even tho I'd been ringing every other day for 3 weeks!).

Yes it is facial swelling, once bad enough to take her to a&e as her mouth was so swollen and she was being sick. She had just eaten some houmus so we assumed chick peas/sesame seeds.

I have another doctors appointment on Monday and I'm going to insist that I see the results. She was up all night last night scratching even though she was wet wrapped before she went to bed. I'm exhausted and so worried for her when she is in nursery. She'll be at full time school in January and I really want it all sorted by then.

What has the specialist at your dermatology unit done for your little boy and how are you managing his food allergies?

Well it's been easier for us I suppose, his allergies were immediately obvious when we started weaning. We've got epipens and practice strict avoidance and luckily haven't had many slip ups since. He's allergic to dairy, eggs, nuts & sesame and also has dustmite, cat & dog to a lesser degree.

I don't think most GP's have any idea about allergies, it's a very new science and GP's have very little training in it. I would push for a referral to an allergy specialist asap especially as facial swelling is involved. They can't do general RAST tests for everything though so you need to give them some clues what to test for. Presumably she's never had nuts/sesame/chickpeas until very recently? Or has she been fine with them up until now?

Make sure you carry an antihistamine with you at all times (we have ceterazine prescribed by the allergy clinic) if you don't already just in case. You should leave some at nursery for her as well.

You have my sympathies with the eczema, I haven't had much sleep over the last 4 years either. However it's suddenly improved amazingly over the last two months. No reason, he just seems to be growing out of it which I can't quite believe. He's always had it all over his body and it's never been brought under control by steroids or protopic so it's a massive and very welcome suprise that it seems to be going.

I'm offline now until Friday but will check back then to see if you've got any more questions. Good luck and hope you have a better nights sleep tonight

Thanks Bilbomum for your really helpful suggestions. You know, she has been better with the ezcema the last few weeks, and yesterday her first day back at childminder and her legs were so itchy she scratched them until she was bleeding. She has a small dog and I just can't help wondering if this is the problem. We have no pets at home as my husband has asthma. She was wet wrapped before she went, but it didn't make a blind bit of difference, she was practically tearing the stuff off by the time she got home.

I am going to insist that we have a referral to the allergy clinic - she wasn't swollen yesterday but her eyes were so red and itchy and her mouth was sore. I give her piriton but doesn't stop the itch or the red marks all around her eyes. Although, thank god, only up twice last night!

She had never had nuts at all, for some reason I just thought better to keep her away, but she had houmous before and then the next time she had it she swelled up and was very sick. I've never given it to her since!!

Sounds good that your little boys eczema is clearing up, I'll keep my fingers crossed!

nottirednow, thanks re the milk info - i will give it a try! We only use cravendale, but I don't know how well no chocolate will go down!!

It does sound like it might be a dog problem Eva. DS seems to be ok with very short haired dogs (his childminder has one) but I have friends with longer haired dogs (and cats) that we can't visit any more unfortunately. When you eventually get to an allergy clinic ask for it testing for.

As nottired says it's worth trying cutting out dairy, it won't do any harm for a couple of weeks. Be vigilant with your label reading though, milk is in all sorts of stuff you wouldn't think of. Look in the 'free from' section of the supermarket you can get dairy free chocolate buttons & lollipops that might make it easier!

Good luck at the docs on Monday - be strong and don't leave without a referal to a specialist!

i am new to mumsnet and it has been a breathe of fresh air to know i am not alone!!.. my 2year old has a severe dairy, nut, egg and as of Wednesday sesame and dust mite allergy...

my advice is to make sure you get a referral to see an allergies, mine has been brilliant.

dairy is in loads of things but it does get easier in time when you discover what/where all the dairy free products are...Many supermarkets have dairy free products within their normal range eg: bourbon creams in Waitrose (although they have traces of sesame), ginger nuts etc

good luck and you are not alone

Well, we've finally got a referral to an allergy specialist! I feel relieved, but also concerned that the appointment is not until 18th October. The Doctor made an urgent referral but that was the earliest date! The nursery are asking what they should do if she shows a reaction and do I have epipens etc, but I'm assuming it will be the allergy clinic who advises on this, not that GP? I've no experience of an 'allergy specialist' and wonder what they do?

Also, its called a 'food allergy clinic/specialist' even tho I told the doctor I thought she had an allergy to dogs? I suppose they will be able to look at that also?

Its all worry worry worry?

Well done for getting the referral, a month isn't a bad wait at all from what I've heard.

Yes it is the allergy clinic that will advise on epipens. They will probably do skin prick and RAST (blood tests) so you should give them an idea of what to test for. Our specialist deals with dog/cat/dustmite etc as it all comes under the general allergy umberella.

In the meantime give some antihistamine to nursery and carry it yourself and if there is a reaction and you're worried get down to a&e.

As you say worry, worry, worry but I'm sure swe'd find something to worry about even if allergies weren't involved

we'd not swe'd .... !

Thanks Bilbomum! As you say I would certainly find something else to worry about, I am a worrier anyway .

I suppose as you say a month isn't bad, I just expect things to happen instantly. I have been going back and forth to docs for nearly 2 years with her ezcema tho before we got anywhere! Its like they are afraid to refer you in case its not the right thing.

She has had a RAST test, the doc did arrange that, thats what showed up the nut allergy, although she has never had nuts so I don't know what her reaction would be. It was the sesame seed that she gave the reaction too - and now of course the blasted dogs!

I will let you know how I get on. Thanks for all your help and advice. Its invaluable.