Pineapple/kiwi allergy - should we seek advice?

[dreamygirl]

DD1 (age 8) appears to have an allergy to pineapple and kiwi - from being little if she got the juice of a kiwi on her hands or face she would get a mild eczema rash. She did have eczema at the time (which she's completely grown out of now) so we assumed the juice aggravated it and took to feeding it to her on a spoon. Recently we had a fresh pineapple and she got a rash all round her mouth from it, although she's had tinned and squash in the past with no problem. I'd read it was related to kiwi so we stopped her having either of them, in case the symptoms got worse, and informed the school etc.

However last week she was diagnosed asthmatic following an 8 week cough and I'm wondering if we should have got medical advice about the reactions. I thought that avoiding the fruits that made her get the rash would be enough but is the asthma connected to it and is she likely to have other allergies? (Probably should have asked the Dr but DH took her and anyway it didn't occur to me straightaway that they might be linked).

Can someone with experience of allergies let me know if it's worth seeing someone to get her checked out please? As I say she's only had v mild reactions and we've stopped her having either fruit now but don't want to be irreponsible.

It won't hurt to explore all avenues.

They may or may not be connected but if they are you can do something about it, if not then you still need to avoid the allergen and maybe investigate further what triggers DD's asthma.

Have you heard of people being atopic? Basically asthma, hayfever, excema, allergies often come together and are called atopic conditions. Not entirely sure myself of the facts re atopic but as all linked investigation definatly worthwhile.

Hope your DD improves soon.

Oh sorry OP, yes my DS has allergies which are developing and worsening. He had infected excema as a baby, severe cradle cap, an inhaler on winter and also hayfever for 2 years. Investigations are ongoing but be prepared you dont always get to the bottom of it - but you learn to live with it and accept it.

Thanks, yes I had heard of atopic - the midwife mentioned it when I was pregnant with DD1 as I'm also asthmatic and told me to avoid all kinds of food in pregnancy esp nuts (this advice had all but disappeared when I was expecting DD2 3 years later ), which was what made me wonder if the asthma and the rest might be linked.

Will see if I can get her an appointment in half term.

dreamy If you can get some photos when DD reacts. (hopefully it won't happen again tho!). GP seeing what your talking about does help.

Just to let you know there can be a link between kiwi and latex.
So it might be an idea to get tested in case someone ever treats a cut etc with latex gloves and it causes a reaction.

dreamy, there's no harm in getting your DD tested (if you can get your GP to refer her a specialist).

My DS (still only 2 years old, much younger than your DD) used to be allergic to all citrus. Luckily, he is pretty much okay with it now, but for a while he could only manage canned and cooked citrus - I am wondering if there is something in the canning / cooking process which makes it easier to tolerate...?

Have heard this before bananas that fresh fruit seems to be the problem, something to do with the enzyme being affected when you preserve it (? - no idea really, DH is the scientist, not me!)

Jammy thanks for that info, it will be good to get her checked (although she's never had any problem with latex balloons). Going to make an appointment in half term.

mumbar a useful tip hopefully it won't happen again as I've been quite vigilant about keeping her away from things (although she still tries to sneak a kiwi from the fruit bowl now and then!!!!) Hope your DS improves as he gets older.

Fruit can cause symptoms a plenty. My brother - who had eczema as a child which he grew out of, but severe hayfever, which he was hospitalised with several times - is highly intolerant to ripe fruit. It sets off his hayfever big time. He can walk into someone's house and instantly know if there is ripe fruit in the house.
On the flip side - my DS is fructose intolerant. We noticed it first with bananas. He got a slight reddening of his cheeks, but mainly vomiting and diarrhoea. From first noticing these symptoms, to getting an official dx, took about 3 years.
My brother is fine with dried fruit. Have you tried dried pineapple and kiwi?