Is all this unexpected exzema and hay fever due to over use of antibiotics?

[sukiking]

Feeling like a bad mother... one whose let her DS be prescribed way too many antibiotics. He's only 2 and 3 months and has already had 20 - yes, 20! - courses of antibios, mainly for horrific ear infections (still coming, despite the grommets). And now he's getting exzema and hay fever. The exzema I can manage. But the hay fever makes him (and us) so damned miserable. I keep reading that the UK's high rate of exzema, hay fever and asthma (all linked, apparently) is possibly due to high use of antibiotics in early childhood. Anyone know about this stuff? Is there any way to redress the issue (eg - probiotics) or is just a case of damage limitation from now on? Ta in advance for any help and advice you can share - much apprecaited.

I think you can beat yourself up about allsorts of stuff, but this is something you can't control.

You would have rather left him in pain (earcahe not nice) with potential longer term damage to his ears (infection doesn't come without risk) to prevent something you may have no control over anyway?

There nothing to say that the risk isn't due to atmospheric pollution, use of plastic bags or other spurious factors you can have no control over who knows what next weeks, months years research will show!

DD2 due to a chronic (gentically inherited) condition was on permenant ab's for the first 2 years of her life, and has had multiple courses (oral and IV's) at much higher strengths than the average child, I could beat myself up over this daily but there is nothing that changes anything so I just get on with it we are currently debating (dh and I) whether to start another course (we keep some at home) as she has a cold which we do not want to develop on her chest.

Honestly you wouldn't be normal if you didn't worry but don't let it get to you do the best you can for him.

As a hay fever sufferer you have my sympathy, will your DC eat local honey, it is supposed to help with hayfever but it may be to late for this year.
Also I have banned all citric acid for the next 20 weeks to see will it help my nieces eczema [it is a nearly impossible task, who knew cheese triangles had aid added ] Not much help to you but lots of sympathy.

Thanks guys. Will go and buy some Richmond Park honey ASAP - good tip (even if it's too late, it'll be yummy). And Doris - sorry to hear about your DD's problems... puts it all in perspective really. Have you noticed any side effects from all the antibios? Do you bother with probiotics etc?

I haven't noticed massively any side effects from the ab's sometimes they affect her appetite, but it depends which ones. I know many in the CF commuinity (she has cystic fibrosis) that do but atm she going through a not liking yougurt stage so we don't push it.

Good luck and enjoy the honey!

my son has had loads of antibiotics, in early life, due to his allergies. so i am not convinced that antibiotics always means allergies.

My son was born with eczema! I had no antibiotics during pg despite suffering with severe sinusitis. Not convinced Im afraid.

DS1 has eczema, hay fever and an ever-increasing list of allergies. He has never had antibiotics. It's just rotten luck, don't beat yourself up about it.

Dd with asthma, eczema, multiple allergies and suffered alot of early ear infections etc. Had to give antibiotics for various reasons also. However, I know the eczema started from the very beginning and pretty much the noisey breathing. I would not worry about blaming the antibiotics. I already know alot of the allergy related syptoms with dd are passed down from dp's family. The ear infections are more common in people suffering allergies. Lots of times dd was not given antibotics for ear infections and then that was shear hell. Could only have capol due to allergies to ibroprofin and could not handle the pain. You just have to do what you have to at the time. Dd is alot older now and thought she had out grown all the ear infections. However, she recently suffered some ear pain/illness and thinking doctors wouldn't give anything so early held off. 10 days on and had daily gunky eyes and real bad hearing loss, had to take her to be checked out and well and behold now has antibiotics all due to the ears.