Dd2 eyes swelled up and she had hives all over her cheeks ... could it be an allergy to figs?

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We had baked figs for pudding.

This is the only new thing she had today.

Could they be responsible for her outbreak?

Quite possibly. How is she?

Maybe. How old is she?

Has she reacted to anything else before? Have they gone down/have you given her piriton?

Could be, do you have any piriton you can give her? If the swelling gets worse or her breathing seems affected you must call 999.

I gave her Piriton and it's calmed down.

Her breathing is ok.

She is 4 and has ezcema and Hayfever.

Never noticed an allergic to reaction to anything before

Oh good. When I took dd2 to allergy clinic last month they said that often they see the allergic response increasing around age 4. No idea why.

With eczema and hayfever as well I would get a GP referral to allergy clinic asap so she can be skin prick tested. It is easy and quick.

When ds2 was 3, he had hives on and off for about 4 months. We could not get to the bottom of it - the gp said it was mostly to be a reaction to a stomach virus he'd had the weekend before it started. Apparently quite common.

Glad she's okay!

This definitely sounds like an allergic reaction. I think you should see your GP as soon as you can.

Seems like figs might be the likely culprit. I don't think they are a particularly common allergen, but people can be allergic to almost any random thing.

Allergic reactions are unpredictable, so please keep clear of figs (just in case) until this has been properly checked by an NHS paediatrian with a specialism in allergies.

As I'm sure you know, eczema, asthma, hayfever, dust allergies, animal allergies and food allergies are all linked - they are all part of being an 'atopic' kind of person. There is some evidence that things change around the age of 4-5 years old, with some children growing out of allergies, and some developing new ones (e.g asthma and hayfever).

I am no expert, and I do think you should see your GP as soon as you can.

Really glad your DD is okay. Sounds like you were quick with the Piriton and that you know what you are doing.

Just to clarify - given the very clear allergic reaction your DD had, you should be asking your GP to refer her to an NHS paediatrician with a specialism in allergies.