Not prescribed an epi pen

[Neepandthedragon]

ds (5) has multiple food allergies and eczema, no asthma. In the past reactions have been mainly hives although his face swelled up once, rang ambulance and piriton sorted it out. He has not had any kind of reaction for a long time although recent tests confirm is still allergic. Ige results especially for nuts are very high which worries me. Has anyone been given an epi pen in this kind of situation?

DS who is 6 and has a similar history if allergic reactions was only given an epipen after he was hospitalised for a week with asthma.

We have one. DS used to get hives round his face and then had a very bad reaction that landed him in a&e. After all the tests confirmed he was allergic to peanuts and most tree nuts, The doctor said it was borderline whether we needed one of not. I insisted on the basis that I'd rather have one and never use it than not have one and need it, with disasterous consequences.

Oh, and no asthma here.

my son has no asthma and has needed his epi 3 times so far.

I would rather have one than be without!

DS has food allergies including peanuts, eczema but no asthma, no epipen. He's never had a severe reaction, maybe that's why.

It seems to a bit of a catch 22 situation. The consultant said that she would only prescribe epipens if they had already had an anaphylactic reaction . DS's was prescribed after a hospital stay due to asthma, but my friend's DD with very similar circumstances has not been prescribed one. It seems to be a bit of a postcode lottery though.

DS was given an epi-pen by his GP after lip swelling and throat itching from pine nut and kiwi. He didn't question it and referred us to the paediatric allergy unit for further testing. After tests the consultant prescribed him epi-pens, we've never used them yet .

Unfortunately it's all down to money. We haven't been given an epipen because our son has never had a reaction - the reason he hasn't had a reaction is because the tests were done before he went onto solids, so it's a ridiculous argument! The consultant admitted that they won't prescribe one if they don't categorically know that they need to, because once one has been prescribed then obviously it needs to be repeated every time the pen reaches its expiry date.

DS1 has had very severe reactions, which include compromised breathing, but ventolin and piriton sort it out.

So we don't have an epipen, but we do have to carry a rescue pack at all times (his triggers are environmental - pollen, heat, cold etc.)

The consultant did explain and I agreed. I have to call an ambulance at the point of administering the piriton if there is any face swelling, so we've had them out twice for no real reason by the time they got here!

Daily prophylactic anti-histamines, nasal spray and singulair have prevented any bad attacks in over a year now. He still has regular steroids for the asthma though.

How odd, and worrying

Ds had big reaction to nuts when he was 2, no anaphylaxis but severe swelling, no asthma at the time. He's carried epi pens for the last ten years as prescribed buy Guy's allergy clinic.

My daughter has a peanut allergy, hives, iching, coughing, face swelling etc. She also bizarrely had a negative skin prick test. We were told that since there has been no anaphylaxis we wouldn't be given an epipen. We live in Wales.

It does worry me. Primary school are brilliant but who knows what secondary will be like? I know peanut allergy reactions can be unpredictable.

Hi Neep,

We live in London and were given an Epipen on the basis of DS having a non-anaphylactic reaction ( hives, face swelling etc.) and a positive skin prick. There's a family history of asthma too on both sides. Don't know if this had a bearing. What I've picked up anecdotally is that if the only indicator of an allergy is the skin prick test, rather than and actual incident involving ingestion of the food (anaphylactic or not) then they don't always hand to the Epipens. Don't ask me why...

Mind you, this wouldn't explain your situation, BeeBaw.

SBx