So we have a diagnosis - would appreciate advice from any parents of cashew allergic dcs please...

[CasaBevron]

So we saw Dr Fox this week and had ds skin-prick tested. The only positives were egg, which we were prepared for as we have seen a reaction, and cashews, which I suspected but obviously hoped not to see . The SPT for raw egg was 11mm, cooked egg 5mm and cashew 5 or 6mm, I can't remember exactly which. He thinks that the constant hive reactions that I am seeing are a completely separate process, to do with the immune system and commonly seen in old people where the immune system is weakened. He also said that in the absence of any other underlying factors ie eczema/asthma, DS is a good candidate for outgrowing the egg.

So on the positive side, I don't have to have kittens every time DD goes near DS with her face covered in the remains of her dinner. On the other hand...

The doctor did not seem overly concerned about a reaction in the near future, which is understandable as we are not about to start feeding DS nuts or any nut-containing foods any time soon. He did not think we needed an epipen, and also advised not to worry about any 'may contain' foods. This confused me, I have to admit. My understanding was that even small traces of nuts can cause a reaction and can be present in any foods that have been produced in a factory that also processes nut-containing foods. While most foods seem to carry a warning as a 'cover' for the producers, it would seem wise to avoid them in the absence of any evidence that they don't contain nut traces??

We are back to see him again soon, when we will be able to see a dietician and talk this over further, but in the meantime I would really appreciate some advice on how those of you with cashew-allergic dc's manage.

TIA

Sounds scary! Good though that you've never had to use the epipen, especially when you have travelled a lot too. DH wants to travel abroad next year, but there's the whole issue of nut allergies and plane travel to contend with before you even get there and start trying to feed yourselves . TBH I really don't think he gets the seriousness of the situation, and when I try to explain things to him I'm sure he thinks I'm going over the top and being paranoid. Maybe it would be different if he had to wean him

Garliclover, just as an aside I asked Dr Fox about antibiotics (saw you mention it on the other thread) and his answer was that it is far more likely to be the infection that has an effect on any allergies rather than the ab's. His attitude was that if a child needs ab's they should have them. Don't know if this helps you feel any easier about it?

Casa (hope you don't mind the abbreviation? I feel we're friends now ), thank you for passing on AF's comments about antibios. In a funny kind of way, they do make me feel easier about it, in that you have to make a decision about antibiotics (and with an ear infection it's sometimes difficult to know -- even our GP was uncertain), whereas there isn't much I could have done, apart from the obvious, to stop the infection happening in the first place. I think I know why you asked AF about antibios, based on your previous thread, and I hope his answer helped to dispel that awful 'pit in the stomach' feeling!

It's interesting you've said about infection and allergy.

DS was rubbing his eyes sore Saturday morning and said they itched so gave him chlorphenamine (I always err on side of caution) and had slight red face with light hives in the afternoon (no more AH). We had a GP apt about an hour later as was not too well and he has AB for balanitis.

I'm interested in the link because there seemed no rhyme or reason for the itchy eyes.

Well now I think back, it's hard to remember exactly what was said. I thought I was taking it all in quite well, but I had arrived late - well, not late, but right at the last minute as there was a delay with the trains - and was a big nervous sweaty wreck by the time we got in for the appointment! We went into the office and I just rabbited at the poor old doc for half an hour!!

With DS, he seemed to think that the random hives we were seeing were caused by a weakness of the immune system and for the most part not food related at all. DS is now nearly 8 months and in that time has had chicken pox as well as the early stay in hospital and lately a horrible cough/cold that coincided with five teeth coming through and lasted almost six weeks, so really his immune system has probably been fighting one thing or another for most of that time. So I suppose it could be then Boo, that children who are already sensitive will be more susceptible to this kind of random reaction. What I failed to ask was whether he was likely to grow out of it as his system matures, but we have our first NHS appt at St Thomas's in another three weeks so I'll be able to find out more then.

Garliclover It did help a little bit to hear that the antibiotics themselves were unlikely to have caused DS allergies. It also takes a bit of the fear out of future situations where he may need them again. I had asked my GP the same question and been given a very patronising response, which just made me feel stupid for even asking. It was lovely to meet someone who took me seriously and didn't laugh in my face for trying to get to the bottom of DS's problems.