New to allergies and would love some advice - 16 month old with possible allergies

[SimLondon]

Hi,

My LO seems to have developed food allergies in the last couple of weeks, she's always had reflux (still does) and eczema but its seemed pretty settled for the last year just needing the occasional dab of hydrocortizone and daily mositurising.

When she first went onto formula her tummy had real trouble digesting c&g or sma and even on Aptimil 1st instant (meant to be the easiest to digest) her stools were always very runny and come weaning she jumped up from the 9th to the 25th centile - so i've always wondered if she has a CMPI.

A couple of weeks ago when she was eating she suddenly went bright red around the mouth and started wheezing, luckily we had Piriton to hand as she'd recently had chicken pox. This has happened 3 times now - still trying to narrow down the foods as it seems to be different foods.

She's also had in the last couple of weeks this awful rash 3 times, it starts out looking like a really bad heat rash - far brighter than the red of eczema say, and I showed it to the pharmacist who confirmed that it was an allergenic reaction and to give piriton. After a day or so it settles down into this awful eczema rash which is actually to painful for me to even rub the usual creams into.

I'm seeing an allergy consultant who specialises in children's allergies on wednesday but I'd appreciate opinions from anyone who knows about allergies - i've gone private because i've always felt fobbed off by the GP/HV when I've queried before if the milk could be upsetting her tummy or causing her eczema. To see LO wheezing and going bright red in the face is quite scary :-(

Hello

Sorry to hear that your DD is reacting to something she's eating.

If she is wheezing and also has a rash after eating then it does sound like it's an allergy. :(

My DD has 2 types of allergic reaction. An IGE mediated response which is the immediate type which can cause problems like the ones you've seen. It's really best to try and avoid the foods until you have seen the allergist. And keep piriton on hand and give it as soon as you notice a reaction starting.

The 2nd type she has is a delayed response and causes things like eczema.

When you see the allergist, they are usually testing for the immediate type response reactions as these tend to be the ones that (I think) are the cause for concern. My DD's tests include skin prick tests where drops of suspected/common allergens are placed on the skin and then a needle is used to scratch the skin to introduce the allergen to to mast cells under the skin to see if they react by releasing histamine. If there is a reaction, a weal usually appears and the size measured. This doesn't really hurt so hopefully your DD will be fine and not too upset by this. They might then do some blood tests (RAST) which are also used to measure the level of IGE antibodies to the allergens that are being tested. Both these scores (skin prick and RAST) are used to give an indication of the likelihood of a reaction. The size of the weal and the level of the RAST test don't necessarily indicate the severity of a reaction. So if you see a huge weal, that doesn't necessarily mean a bad reaction.

It's brilliant that you've got an appointment so soon but such a shame that you felt you had to go private. Your GP has to refer you if you ask so if you have any other problems remember that you are well within your rights to request this.

I'm not sure if this is helpful, but you're doing the best thing you can by getting your DD seen asap and the allergist DD sees has a nurse and dietician as part of the clinic, so if you have time, maybe make a list of the things that you have noticed and things that have happened and when, and also any questions you have. I don't know about the private option, but DD's appointments are annual so it's the one time I have to speak to people in the know, or at least it was until I discovered this forum :)

Also, DD's allergist is lovely but talks so much that I often forget what I need to ask and leave the appt a bit shell shocked. If you can take someone with you to help with your DD so that you can speak to the team withut distraction, that might be helpful. I always do the appts by myself and it is a bit tricky, esp if I also have to take DS with me.

Good Luck on Weds and let us know how it goes. Sorry for my long ramble.
Take care.

Sorry, I know it's hard to avoid foods when you don't know what is causing it but sometimes giving 1 food at a time can be the only way although, if you know she's definitely okay with some things then maybe stick to those until Wednesday.

Poor thing. The rash will be urticaria my son suffers too, post reaction. Steroid cream or oral steroids help it. Best of luck for tomorrow.

Thanks, she had another (immediate) reaction tonight and the nursery gave her piraton - they were really careful, made sure she had a soya cheese alternative with pitta bread) so now I'm wondering about soya, oh and bread as well.

The urticaria (if thats what it is) is awful, it was to painful for me to even dab on the steriod cream which has never happened before with her eczema and yet it fades to looking just like eczema.

Some of the big allergens are wheat, dairy, egg, soya, nuts and fish. Just things to look out for. What was she eating for the other reactions?
I know you don't know what it is yet, but we found a soya-free cheese substitute at the Allergy Show - Vegusto - but it is nut based, cashew and almond, so need to be careful with that too.

Yes thats what urticaria does, its horrible. Poor thing.

If you want a non soya/nut based cheese, try Cheezly. They do a soya one and a pea protein (so read the label carefully). (Redwood Foods)

Hello SimLondon

Just wondering how you're appointment went today. Hope all's well with you and your DD.