Son (9) prescribed epi pens for milk allergy

[Raindancer411]

Well my son went for a repeat skin prick test yesterday. His original reaction measured at 12mm (2015) and the previous one was a 6 (2021). So Dr wanted a repeat one 3 months on with a possible baked challenge this time.

We arrive and they do the skin prick and also add in a skin prick with a scalpel tip dipped in milk. The solution one I think again was a 6, but the neat milk was massive. So no baked challenge and he has now been prescribed epi pens.

It felt like the little hope was taken away and a big backwards step.

Son was beside himself and when he asked if someone can die from anaphylactic reactions, I couldn’t lie to him. I said to his yes but that’s why you carry the pen and we have managed your allergy without one, and that this is just a safety precaution.

I now need to go and speak to the school this morning and get some training.

How do others deal with this to their kids?

Hi. I have no advice but joining to find out some info too. My Son had recent anaphylaxic reaction to an unknown trigger and we're waiting for testing and in the meantime GP had prescribed epipens. My son is also 9 and I don't know how much to tell him. I need him to know it's serious but don't want to scare him. Sorry you are going through this too. It's really gutting and scary.

@ladyflower23 I am going to try and speak to AllergyUK who have a line you can call for advice, and ask how it is best to go about explaining it to kids. Not sure if this would help you too?

@Raindancer411 I have just seen this thread, I hope you found allergy UK helpful, there is also the Anaphylaxis Campaign who are great with what they do.

That is very scary to suddenly have this to manage this, and have the hope of potentially growing out of allergies taken away. DS12 has had allergies since he was a baby and has always had epipens. I was hopeful he would grow out of the but last allergy testing thigns were worse than ever which was disheartening.

It is really tricky to get the balance right between making sure they understand the severity of it but also not to scare them. It sounds like you've been managing the allergy well so far, it really is just a precaution and hopefully you wont need to use the epipen. I must admit once my son had an anaphylactic reaction and we got given the epipens I was relieved that we would be prepared if it would happen again.

I find the all allergy action plans on the website below really helpful. You can pick which plan based on the type of pen they have (we have found we've been prescribed a variety over the years when epipen haven't been available. I print the plan out and laminated, one is in the allergy case itself and school has a copy of it.

www.bsaci.org/professional-resources/resources/paediatric-allergy-action-plans/