Can I contact our paeds consultant direct about new allergy or do I need to go via GP again?

[VanellopePitstop]

My DD appears to have a new allergy, a grass allergy I think. We had a scary incident over the weekend with some fairly severe swelling of her face, thankfully being no where near a hospital it responded well with piriton but it was so fast it really scared me.

What should I do? Go to GP about new allergy or can I contact the consultant that we were referred to and see every 6 months about her food allergies?

if you are able to get in touch with the consultant I would do that!

has she reacted to grass before?

pollen is really bad this year

Yes, we've had one time where she was a bit itchy, wondered if it could be the grass. Then another time where she was very itchy and thought it was probably the grass, then this weekend when her face swelled up pretty badly and now we are fairly sure it is grass. DH has a grass allergy, so does BIL and bees too. All 3 reactions in the last 3 weeks, so all recent.

Well I think if you already see a consultant that you should probably try ringing them directly and asking if your next appointment could be brought forward. They might say you have to go back to your GP but if you haven't been discharged from the consultant's care then I think its worth a try. The worst that can happen is they tell you to contact your GP. I rang the consultant to get an appointment brought forward and they couldn't fit me in but when I told the secretary I was worried and why the consultant rang me and I had the chance to ask the questions I wanted etc. If your daughter's whole face swelled then that seems quite severe so hopefully you would get to talk to someone.

Thanks, I called today via the main switchboard and managed to get through to the right secretary. I explained the situation and she said she would pass it on and get the consultant to call me, I didn't get a call today though so hopefully in the next day or two. If I haven't heard by Wednesday I will try calling back I think.

Hope you have had some response from the hospital. Think you are right to follow it up if they don't ring as sometimes they get so busy things get forgotten!

Thanks for asking, though no, still not heard from them, I called on and off all day today but no answer. I wonder if the secretary is part time and not in on Wednesdays. I'll start calling in the morning again because I'm anxious to follow it up.

I called again this morning and the consultant gave me a call back almost immediately. She was very reassuring, gave good advice for if it happens again and has booked DD in for some tests in 2 weeks time. Feeling better about it now.

That's great. Once you get an appointment at least they can monitor it and advise what to do. Good luck. :)