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Allergies and intolerances

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Original poster

EBF baby with eczema having 'episodes' after BF.

23 replies

HelloBear · 15/03/2013 13:51

my DS has eczema on his face, neck, legs and torso. Part is infected and two lots of antibs not cleared it up. But on some days it is all quite clear and he USA happy chappy.

But on most days at least once a day he has what all I can describe as an 'episode'. His face will become an angry red colour, lots of spots will appear and he will become very distressed scratching at his face. After 5/10 mins of this his scin will start weeping.

The only thing I can do is hold his arms and walk until the discomfort stops - about 30 mins.

Is this an allergic reaction? The irritant is where his excema is so is it just excema flaring up?

He has been referred to dermatologist but worry that because these episodes come and go they will not think it's serious if they see him on a 'good' day. Do you think I should video an 'episode' to show them or would they think i am odd.

Has anyone experienced this or know what it could be?

OP posts:
Original poster
HelloBear · 15/03/2013 13:53

Sorry not USA is!

Also he is 5 mo.

OP posts:
Pobblewhohasnotoes · 15/03/2013 13:55

Could he be dairy intolerant? My DS has eczema and a dairy allergy so that would vent first thought. Are you treating the eczema?

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 15/03/2013 13:57

*be my

Stupid phone

happyfrogger · 15/03/2013 14:01

My EBF baby has flare ups still if I eat diary. Not quite to the scale you describe, OP, but noticeably within an hour or two of me eating diary and feeding her, then she flares up on her back. It fades away again after a couple if hours. It's reliable enough to pin point diary and she has got better as the months have gone on. She's now 11 months.

We had skin prick testing recently and cows milk came up.

Original poster
HelloBear · 15/03/2013 17:47

I am starting to suspect diary through my milk, which is a pain as I eat l eat loads of it!

Happy how did you get your DD tested?

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Original poster
HelloBear · 15/03/2013 17:52

Yes treating excema with hymbol (???? Can't remember the name looks like goose fat). GP also prescribed antihistamines after I described his flare ups. But I want to find out what it is so can prevent.

Arrrgggghhh I'm going to have to go dairy free:(

OP posts:
Pobblewhohasnotoes · 15/03/2013 18:25

With what??

Have you not got any steroid creams? You won't get rid of the inflammation without it. Although you need the emollients too. My GP wouldn't prescribe steroids for my DS, the dermatologist was not impressed.

Original poster
HelloBear · 15/03/2013 19:05

Yes have steroids but to be Frank don't get rid of it.

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happyfrogger · 16/03/2013 14:47

Sorry for the delay - I have private health insurance with work which covered going to great portland street hospital to see a paediatric specialist who did skin prick testing. To be honest I could have done it at home for the £480 it cost AXA :-)

I have been referred for the same on the NHS by my GP, I only went private as the appointment was 4 months away (and we are still waiting).

The only thing they recommended was slowly introducing yoghurt as in DD's case they said it looked like she'd grow out of the intolerance soon.

We use hydro cortisone cream prescribed by GP when it flares up and that gets rid of the worst of it by morning.

Good luck OP.

StillStuck · 16/03/2013 14:57

obviously you need to see specialists /get tested, but this sounds so much like my son as a (breast fed) baby, and he turned out to be allergic to cows milk and soya (and a host of other things).

the GPs were dismissive of my fears it was allergic reaction being passed through my breast milk, but on his first taste of cows milk in baby porridge (Being weaned at 6 months) he had an anaphylactic reaction. not wishing to alarm you but I wish the GPs had taken me more seriously / wish I had just got on and gone private despite the cost.

and yes, video / take pictures, I am sure it will help them. our allergy specialist actually asked us to do this when we saw him

Original poster
HelloBear · 16/03/2013 20:25

Well after an awful couple of days and a very bad night (yawn) I've bitten the bullet and decided to go dairy free. These bad days I have eaten quite a bit of dairy and before bed last night had a big bowl of custard Blush and last night was terrible, scratching and crying all night and his skin was really dry and bleeding in patches.

So purchased some dairy free products today and going to give it a try. Thou think it is going to be v hard as I'm already vegie so effectively going vegan. My DH is not happy as worried I'll lose weight as i am already pre preg weight after two bouts of nurivirus. But don't know what else to do.

At least this way I can see the dermatologist in 3 weeks and give them my results.

If it's not dairy does anyone know what other food it could be as there is most certainly a link between him feeding and these outbreaks?

Also is soy a no no? I got a load of soy milk today as can't live without my cereal:(

OP posts:
Original poster
HelloBear · 16/03/2013 20:28

Oh and thanks for the posts!

I am going to push for a referral for testing but I am anticipating that they will say no. This makes me anxious because if going dairy free does help I then have to think how to wean safely.

still your story is scary!

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5madthings · 16/03/2013 20:32

It will take a few weeks, two I think for the dairy to be out of your system.

It ,at well be something you are eating. My eczema does the same as your ds's it is triggered by changes in temperature and also dust, pollen and animal hair, so have amt hi k about other environmental things is do you wear wool clothes?

Original poster
HelloBear · 16/03/2013 20:56

Trying to avoid wool clothing mad but with current weather failing!

Heck it's a mindfield!

Could it be pollen at this time of year? If it was summer I would think it was pollen as all of the men/boys in my dhs family have terrible hayfever.

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5madthings · 16/03/2013 21:00

Well I am hideously allergic to wool, its very common in eczema sufferers, I think its because of the lanolin in it. Lanolin is a common allergy for eczema sufferers, rather annoyungky its in a lot of moisturisers that drs prescrube for eczema!

trixymalixy · 16/03/2013 21:01

It's very common to be allergic to both dairy and soya as the proteins are similar. I cut dairy out of my diet when bfing my DS and it seemed to be having an effect, but then stopped. I'd started using soya milk Sad

Anyway soya milk is vile Oatly and Koko are much nicer.

5madthings · 16/03/2013 21:02

My hay fever has been playing up already! Depends whichpollens you are allergic to.

But wool clothing which will come into contact with babies skin when feeding, having cuddles etc could well be a culprit :(

Original poster
HelloBear · 16/03/2013 21:16

Aaarrrgghh fook bought 2 lots Of soya today. Ok will look out for other 'milk' suggested.

Will banish wool and don some fleece instead.

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StillStuck · 16/03/2013 21:46

hellobear - I was doing the same, eating loads of chocolate etc because I was so darn tired dealing with how ill he was!

I was told when we were in hospital (after being rushed there in the ambulance) that they didn't want me to leave until I had seen a dietitian, as it is a significant step to go dairy and soya free, especially when breastfeeding. plus it took some advice to learn all the ways these ingredients can be hidden in food. I had to have calcium and possibly vitamin supplements as I was still breastfeeding.

plus testing really is the way forward as DS was also allergic to lots of other things. I really hope they listen to you.

yes forgot that, I had to avoid wool clothing too.

Original poster
HelloBear · 19/03/2013 19:04

Well after the grand total of 3 days of going dairy an soya free I cracked today and had a soya yogurt and some chocolate.

Cue 3 hours later a feed and a definately a reaction Sad

Netal like rash around his neck and on his face, bright red face, clearly terrible itching as he was clawing at his face and crying uncontrollably.

He then started to cough, so quickly gave him some antihistimine that dr had prescribed. An hour later I have managed to get him to sleep on me. I'm slightly traumatised and upset at myself for cracking so early!

Ok my question is....

We have an appointment with a dermatologist consultant in 2 weeks time. Do I push for allergy testing with them or do I go back to GP and ask for a referral to whoever does the testing?

Thanks!!!

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Original poster
HelloBear · 19/03/2013 19:07

PS Dairy free diet sucks!!!!

I miss cheese

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StillStuck · 19/03/2013 21:24

oh gosh. I can't see any harm in speaking to your GP earlier in the hope you can get things moving sooner. If not though I would hope the dermatologist would refer on the basis of what you have said

yes, dairy free is hard! it gets a bit easier when you get used to it but there is such a lot you cant have.

Original poster
HelloBear · 19/03/2013 21:50

Thanks still am going to make another GP appointment as I think we have managed to get quiet a sympathetic one.

Feeling a bit fed up today, his eczema has been bad, bleeding on his neck and face. Feel just so helpless and also tiered as the itching stops him (and me) from sleeping.

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