Does this sound like a nut allergy? :o(

[Greensleeves]

My ds2 is 20mo and I've noticed since he was born that he's prone to little patches of eczema which he scratches. A couple of days ago after having a sesame seed chew (organic thing from a hippy market) he developed what looked like a patch of nettle rash on one side of his face. He had had sesame snaps before but I had never noticed this reaction to them. Then this evening when I undressed him I found a rash of quite large red bumps, like bites but without puncture marks, all over his legs and bottom. Nothing on his back or chest, but the patch on his face had come up again and he'd scratched it. He did have a brownie type thing with nuts in it on the bus, on the way back from our walk on Dartmoor - I don't normally let them have that sort of thing but we've got a friend staying for the weekend and I've let them have more treats than usual... it may have nothing to do with nuts/seeds but I can't think of anything else. I've spoken to the out of hours doctor and he said it could well be an allergy reaction and as long as he isn't ill "in himself" I should just take him to my GP on Tuesday.

Any mums with allergic kids - did yours develop like this? Does it sound like an allergy, is it my fault for letting him have nuts, and can I expect it to get worse?

Poor ds2 has had nothing but health problems since he was born, he is turning my hair white

Took ds2 to see GP (locum - mine is away AGAIN) this morning. He was a supercilious old berk, didn't really listen to what I was saying, but after repeated requests he did grudgingly concede that he would contact the immunology dept at the hospital and "see if we can do anything". I'll give it a few days and then take him back to see our own doctor I think (if he can prise himself away from the golf course . He seemed quite surprised that I thought keeping him off sesame seeds was an inconvenience, but then he didn't really look like a hummus-and-lentils man. More your "beef Wellington and Dubonnet" sort of chap.

DS2 hasn't had anymore rashes or anything since we stopped feeding him nuts/seeds, but it's bloody annoying not knowing whether he is allergic or not.

Hi GS,

I think that you are doing the right thing by keeping your ds off nuts/seeds, it is probably best if you act as if he is allergic for the time being, until he has been tested. I really feel for you as, like another poster said, you feel like you are playing russian roulette at feeding time. My ds has multiple food allergies, including nuts, so I understand how you are feeling. Definately keep the piriton handy, I have 2 bottles, one for the house and one in the changing bag.

hi I've got a nut allergic child and would have expected the rash to be higher up rather than on the legs for a food allergy. However any child who has had an allergic reaction is more at risk of developing other allergies. Therefore its best to keep them off nuts until their immune system improves. Put him on probiotics too as they help the immune system.

Unfortunately allergies can develope at any age so it does make sense to get him tested again before you risk nuts or sesame.

If you do get a positive test you can always CAT for support. I'll be checking for answers to my post for a few days but don't generally use mumsnet now.