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Allergies and intolerances

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Original poster

Allergic reaction - terrifing!! Any advice?

18 replies

MunchiesMama · 22/07/2007 17:40

I have bf my 6month old DD and given her fruit or veg purees up until now.

I give her cows milk and Oatabix for breakfast on Friday both for the first time. She took a few spoonfuls greedily and then started to really fuss so i thought i would leave it. Within a few minutes i noticed that the bottom half of her face was bright red, with really prominent white raised areas. Then she started to choke and then vomit. I was on my own with her and she appeared to be having problems breathing started vomiting again.....I have never been so terrified in my life. I called the on call doc and had her checked over, she is fine now and after about an hour the vomiting stopped.

I think her face may have been a bit swollen, and i am not sure if the breathing problem was due to her having a mild cold (rather than part of the reaction specifically), also she was playing strangely with her tongue, but again she may have been chewing what she had brought up (as she has been doing that) - not sure it all happened so fast!

Also remember that i let her suck a piece of milk chocolate (for about 10 sec 2 weeks ago) and she vomited a few minutes after that, but i though it was too rich for her and didnt think that could be an allergic reaction....

We are due to see my doc on Monday, but i found this so scary i just wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar that could give me any advice?

Thanks in advance xx

OP posts:

tassi · 22/07/2007 17:57

my daughter was fine formula milk for awhile and gave her yoghurts and full fat milk she alway used to vomit it up. i took my daughter to the gp and i had to put gaviscone in every time she had a drink that seemed to help she six now and will not touch any dairy at all she says it makes her feel sick

amidaiwish · 22/07/2007 18:04

munchies now i have seen more details - esp that she was sick on chocolate (dairy) before, that is a classic first reaction with the subsequent reaction more severe. it definitely sounds like a "proper" dairy allergy to me (rather than an intolerance).

Not saying you will, but don't be fobbed off by your doctor, make sure you tell him about the repeat exposure etc. and ask him what you should do if it happens again, whether you can give her piriton/what dose.

alibobins · 22/07/2007 18:04

Sounds like quite a serous reaction to something and if it happens again i would go to A&E or even phone 999.

Don't want to scare you but my ds had an anaphylactic reaction at 9 months and the ambulance only just got to us as he collasped not breathing. He is fine now btw but is allergic to several foods

KerryMumbledore · 22/07/2007 18:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

MunchiesMama · 22/07/2007 18:22

God this is so scary, i cant believe this is happening.

Thanks for your advice

OP posts:

tatt · 22/07/2007 19:55

Yes - been in a similar position and it was terrifying. Was it full fat milk? If so there's a possibility it wasn't cows milk allergy. Unfortunately that does seem the most likely diagnosis. Obviously don't give her any cows milk until you've seen a consultant. Don't rely on your gp if they suggest anything other than avoidance and a referral. Your gp can prescribe a special formula to use for occasions when you don't want to express breast milk. Pepti Junior is the one friends of mine use but there are others like neocate and nutramigen (smell foul).

Don't be tempted by soya milk as that is a common allergen too and has also been linked to nut allergy. Unfortunately gps get little training in allergy, you may get better advice here.

Piriton is not recommended generally under 1 but for a severe allergic reaction you are likely to be told to give it.

And alibobins if quite right - if anything like this happens again you dial 999 or head to a&e, whichever is likely to get you there quickest.

alibobins · 22/07/2007 20:00

Ds was prescribed piriton and epi-pens straight away as he was kept in hospital for 3 days.
He was allowed 2.5ml dose 4 times a day.

Original poster

MunchiesMama · 22/07/2007 22:34

Yes it was full fat milk.

I have been reading up on the net and it seems to say that children can grow out of this allergy, do you think she could as the reaction was so strong on such a small amount?

OP posts:

StudentMadwife · 22/07/2007 22:36

sounds like anaphalatic shock

amidaiwish · 23/07/2007 21:54

how did you get on with the doctor?

chalkie · 23/07/2007 22:06

had big problems with dd1 ended up on dairy free grain free citrus free diets but we got though it and she is allergy free now out of danger it is just a matter of time and avodance of things that are aproblem untill the body repairs. it could have be a combination of things. Hope your Doc has been help full if not insist and find out who is the pedicatric specialist( either gastro or allergies) at your local hospital with an A and E. The second attack can be worse i would just go there next and then they have to investigate. I found a homeopathic dr who was a great help in teaching me the diets and other helpful things. good luck it does get better.

Original poster

MunchiesMama · 24/07/2007 09:49

Our docs surgery has this annoying system where you cant make an appointment you have to wait for the doctor to call you (and they then decide you are ill enough to get an appointment!). So anyway I missed the docs call and couldnt get hold of her the rest of the afternoon as she was in surgery, she is now off today so I have to wait until tomorrow.....

The only good thing is that in her answerphone message she did say she would get DD allergy tested. Has anyone had any experience of these tests? I read somewhere on the net that they are not very good....

OP posts:

Leati · 24/07/2007 09:57

My husband has anaphalatic shock from certain medicines. His tongue swells and throat swell. It is very visable and you will notice it. The doctor would most probably, give her a shot (steroids) if that was the case. However, it could be that she is not ready for milk yet or lactose intolerant. The best thing is just to avoid those foods for awhile and discuss with your doctor when a good time to try again would be. And make sure that you introduce them seperately, so that if it is an allergic reaction you can pin down what food caused it.

amidaiwish · 24/07/2007 10:15

my dd had a skin prick test and a RAST test done.
i think the skin prick isn't that reliable but the RAST (blood) test is.
but i am not an expert...

in the meantime here are some useful guidelines you should think about following for introducing foods here

Original poster

MunchiesMama · 24/07/2007 10:27

Amidaiwish thank you for that information, since Friday i have been so afraid to give her anything new so this will help!

OP posts:

Julia76 · 24/07/2007 10:54

I have also been in similar position & it is absolutly terrifying position to be in. It does sound like it was anapyhlactic. Must have been terrifying for your little one also. Hope you get sorted munchies. P.s.If this happens again. waste no time. Call 999. hope all gets sorted. Julia

Original poster

MunchiesMama · 25/07/2007 18:39

We are being referred to a consultant with an interest in allergies - so that sounds promising!

My GP did say to give her soya milk if i didnt want to express, is this ok? Think i am too afraid to chance it!

OP posts:

wb · 26/07/2007 10:04

Without wanting to alarm you further (my ds had a much milder reaction than your dd and I was still absolutely terrified) I would say no to the soya. Its another potential allergic trigger and although your daughter may be absolutely fine why risk it?

If you do want an alternative to breastfeeding then ask/tell your doctor to prescribe one of the special hypoallergenic formulaes eg neonate or Pepti.

And yes, your daughter may well outgrow her allergy, though maybe not for a few years.

Good luck, and welcome to the club no-one wants to be in

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