Calpol allergy?

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Hi. I know many parents on here have extensive knowledge of allergies and wondered if anyone could help me?

My DS has been getting hives on his face the past year. Ketchup causes it, and also pollen is thought to be a trigger as he has hayfever.

Today he was bursting into tears over the slightest thing this morning, I gave him some calpol and laid him down to rest. 20 minutes later he came running in scratching his face really aggitated. Hives began appearing so I gave him 5ml chlorophenamine and 30 minutes later they were gone.

Has anyone heard of calpol allergy? BTW he hasn't reacted to it before. Trying to whittle down the cause. I am going to see if theres any common ingredient in calpol and ketchup.

TIA

Don't know about calpol, but DD1 is allergic to Benylin and flares up just as you describe so it is possible.

I suppose its possible just to develop this 'allergy'? As in one day it just happens? There are 5 different e numbers in it but none seem to be in ketchup

yes allergies can just suddenly flare up like this. you can eat something fine for 60years and the next time it can cause a magor reaction.

Ds reacts to calpol but not in the mannor that your ds has. Is it the emulsifier or soemthing similar? Ketchup can contain lactose and stuff like that is it this aspect?

Ds cant take medised (discovered before they changed the advice) or one of the antihistamines because he reacts. If you have a problem with finding pain relief for him our gp has prescribed soluble paracetamol for ds (despite him not being yet 6yr recommended) in a age appropriate dose as an alternative. It might be useful to know this if you run out of alternative pain relief/temp reducing meds. A pharmacist is NOT allowed to sell it to you for this purpose it has to be prescribed.

BTW ds reacts to ketchup on his face but only if it is in contact. With him i think it is the acidity on the skin for him. I hope that you can narrow down the cause. Good Luck!!!!!

OK not calpol He hasn't had any more since but 6 hrs after the original lot of AH up came his face. Rung OOH, he has said AH every 6 hours - see if he improves if not call during night or morning to be seen.

I have uploaded a pic of him at the mo on my profile. Please look and tell me if this is what your DC's get like.

TIA x

could it be slap cheek?

I know you are thinking allery but could it actually be a virus type thing which the anti histamines calming the immune system response that mean it goes down whilst he has it in his system. Just a thought

Possibly - he has had that before (can you get it twice?)

Have you looked at picture on profile? When he had slapped cheek before it didn't look like this. It still could be tho?

I looked at it and it looks nothing like the allergy rashes ds gets. but there are more then one type of rash that is allergy connected.

I was just trying to think outside the box. Dont know if you can get it twice but do know there are more then one type of virus rashes that can look like that. I guess it depends if he is unwell with it on perfectly normally healthy as to whether it is allergy or illness related. You know your ds so will be in best place to call it.

I thought maybe he was unwell as he got a very blocked nose at the same time, GP said this could be allergy related as it went and then blocked again when his face flared up again. It does look different from the usual 'hives' DS gets. This time seems more spotty and more red and angry by the spots as opposed to generally red and angry looking. Also kept complaining about being freezing cold - can't find my bloody thermomter to check his temp

Ergh - just want to help my poor boy .

He had AH an hour and half ago so I'll go and check him and see if its gone down again.

I'll also look up slap cheek and see if you can get it twice - I do know its very common in children of this age group.

Thanks for the advice.

No problem I hope he is ok.

Thanks - just looked up slap cheek, you only get it once. There is the chance of course that when he was diagnosed before it wasn't slap cheek and now has it .

Maybe viral rash - will have to see how he is tomorrow I guess.

Hi pixie. It doesn't look like his usual rash, thats generally more widespread across his face, I put it down to allergy because his eyes are swollen and red around them which he usually does get.

I guess if AH are helping and seem to be stopping him itching so much then giving them won't harm him? I guess the morning will tell.

It would seem wierd if its allergy reaction as his allergens are pollen and something in ketchup - neither of which he's had.

Hows DD2 btw?

Is there a red colouring in calpol?

yep. it is a natural based colouring. most people are ok with it. but some react. Ds reacts violently to it. ie he becomes violently hyperactive.

Pixie you may be onto something there, he was very jerky in his sleep, sort of unsettled and very snuffly. (I had him in my bed as I'm a worry wart!). That is exactly DS symptons the eyes and itchy face. Today his face is fine, few 'spots' but not bright red and his eyes have gone down. He does seem a little snuffly so maybe has a virus, he's not complaining of feeling unwell, no temp but is quite quiet so maybe a bit out of sorts.

Glad DD2 is on the mend.

OK, I have managed to get an apt with the GP who is brilliant in my surgery who has seen DS re his 'allergy' hives/ welts before.

I have got the pictures of the other night to show him and wondered whether this explanation of what happened sounds OK (or as stupid as it does when I say it ).

1. DS started with a very itchy face and welts appeared at 11.45am. Chlorphenamine given and by 12.45 face clear again.

2. At 6pm DS starts to feel very unwell and 'spots' appear on his face/ welts too. I cool with cloth and observe. Face becomes redder and eyes become very dark, lips seem to swell abit. His breathing appears quicker than normal and irregular. (36 bpm). Nose becomes very blocked. DS complains of feeling freezing cold, and I mean very cold and very distessed about it and becomes very clingy. Gave more chlorphenamine and dispite a fitful sleep wakes up fine.

(I have taken before/ after pictures for GP).

Now it sounds so OTT when I write it down but I was genuinly petrified at the time especially as DS seemed to panic too.

Anyone with experience of their DC's being like this, and experience of trying to explin it to the GP?

TIA

My friend's DD is allergic to Calpol and she gives her paralink instead.

Thanks, I'm not sure it is calpol now as he hadn't had it when he had this 'funny reaction' the second time.

Will use paralink tho in case - thanks