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Allergies and intolerances

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Child’s sudden allergy?

38 replies

PinkOtter · 06/09/2025 15:11

Hi, my child is aged 8, and hasn’t had any allergies since she was born, over 2 weeks ago after eating chickpeas and yoghurt she had a reaction of hives all over her body.. gave anti histamines and she was fine.. then happened again this week after she consumed milk, I didn’t realise you could develop it all of a sudden so didn’t stop it we was on holiday in very hot climate so thought it may be that
got home & she has now today ate - Chicken and rice, chicken had Ghee in it
and a Barney snack bear thing which contains milk- and see photo she’s broke out completely all over and eyes are swollen
given anti histamine and going to book allergy test but what do you think?

Sensitive content
Child’s sudden allergy?
OP posts:
PeanutButter55 · 06/09/2025 17:48

Why on earth are you still giving her milk after these reactions? Avoid it completely - she could have a more severe reaction which could be life threatening. The more exposure she has the more likely this becomes. Book an urgent GP appointment on Monday.

Octavia64 · 06/09/2025 17:51

Fgs stop giving her milk.

lactose and various milk protein allergies are very common and do develop throughout childhood.

yes, seek medical attention.

NoNewsisGood · 06/09/2025 18:10

Yes, looks like hives for sure. Assume anti histamine has calmed it?
Does she have any other symptoms?

You'll need to go through your GP to get an allergy referral, this may take months, so make a note of the exact things she ate and the dates and the symptoms as well as you can before you forget. Well done on taking the pictures as they will also help.

Also, ask her to describe what she felt when eating milk (bear in mind it could be something else....though sounds like the milk).

Read this: https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/fact-sheet/cows-milk-allergy/ so you are clued up before facing your GP - they aren't always so well informed about allergies.

You can also talk to a pharmacist about while antihistamine to give her and how much.

And yes, keep her off all cow's milk (though, maybe all animal milk) until you have seen an allergist. Tests for allergies are usually skin prick and blood tests. However, neither actually really prove the presence of an allergy. The best way to do that is the eat or touch the thing you are allergic to. In this instance, I think she has proven her body is not happy with something (likely milk). Allergic reactions are really variable depending on the processing of the foodstuff and how much is consumed, as well as environmental factors so it will be hard to predict what reaction she might have to having milk the next time. There is no way to predict the reaction.

Sadly, milk is in a lot of stuff, so it is not a fun one to be allergic to. And, at age 8, she might not grow out of it. However, it is totally doable and realistically, in the current climate situation, it's not a bad thing (yey for vegans who mean milk free products are easier to find!). But, you will need to see a dietician if the allergist suspects milk allergy as you will need to make sure she gets plenty of iodine, vitamin D, calcium, etc. that is easier to get if you have regular cow's milk.

Good luck and try not to stress.

PinkOtter · 09/09/2025 17:44

”fgs stop giving her milk” very helpful thank you!

the anti histamine did work, but she helped herself to a glass of milk and hasn’t had any reaction so I’m very unsure of what it may be!

^ this was a draft from a few days ago!

so she’s been to school and didn’t break out with her lunch so I recreated lunch at home the same & she broke out so I’m thinking it may be something at home now, we do have a cat she could’ve become allergic too?? Have ordered her a private test to get it checked it’s very stressful!

OP posts:
NoNewsisGood · 09/09/2025 17:46

@PinkOtter if getting a private test, make sure it is from a healthcare provider, not a private allergy testing company as most of those are nonsense.

If it was the cat, surely it would be at all times, not just when eaten something?

Lyregorse · 09/09/2025 17:51

PinkOtter · 09/09/2025 17:44

”fgs stop giving her milk” very helpful thank you!

the anti histamine did work, but she helped herself to a glass of milk and hasn’t had any reaction so I’m very unsure of what it may be!

^ this was a draft from a few days ago!

so she’s been to school and didn’t break out with her lunch so I recreated lunch at home the same & she broke out so I’m thinking it may be something at home now, we do have a cat she could’ve become allergic too?? Have ordered her a private test to get it checked it’s very stressful!

It has to be IgE testing OP. A lot of companies do IgG tests, they’re basically a scam.
You need to go to the doctor.

PinkOtter · 09/09/2025 17:59

We have been to the doctor- who has ordered a blood test just awaiting an appointment however, the private test is food & environment, to see if anything shows up on that because at the moment I’m so lost on what I should be/shouldn’t be feeding her when one time she breaks out and the next she doesn’t!

It’s puzzling as she’s not breaking out whilst at school that’s why I thought it was something at home- the cat was the next thing I could think of?

OP posts:
AltitudeCheck · 09/09/2025 18:11

Keep a really detailed food diary. If she has consumed a glass of milk without reacting an alternative allergy seems more likely.

Did the Barney snack bear thing have soya or pea protein in it? It's possible she has an allergy to legumes (you mentioned chickpeas in the first meal she reacted to).

Also consider other environmental factors, artificial colours and flavors (orange or blackcurrant drinks or flavoured medicines), detergents / bath products etc.

Lyregorse · 09/09/2025 19:40

PinkOtter · 09/09/2025 17:59

We have been to the doctor- who has ordered a blood test just awaiting an appointment however, the private test is food & environment, to see if anything shows up on that because at the moment I’m so lost on what I should be/shouldn’t be feeding her when one time she breaks out and the next she doesn’t!

It’s puzzling as she’s not breaking out whilst at school that’s why I thought it was something at home- the cat was the next thing I could think of?

If the private test is not one recommended by the doctor the results could be very misleading, that’s the trouble.

Would you be able to mention the name of the private test?

It is a confusing situation. Sometimes exercise can have an impact on the allergic response, ie you need both the food and exercise to have the response but I really don’t know how common that is.

mumonthehill · 09/09/2025 19:55

Private tests that test for lots of things are unreliable. You need to be seen at a hospital and by a consultant so they can test under safe conditions. Blood tests plus skin prick tests. This is very important as you cannot take risks with allergies. I say this having had dc go through this process. The hospital were so supportive and tested things I thought might be triggers alongside ones that are more common.

PinkOtter · 09/09/2025 20:34

https://www.yorkshirebloodclinic.co.uk/tests/food-environmental-allergy
this is the private one

I’m awaiting the doctors test, the IGE? One

she’s not further broke out today- and she’s had another glass of milk so I do not think it is dairy
I’ve removed my rug from the living room and gave everywhere a good clean down incase it is the cat

I’ve been keeping a diary since Monday

Yorkshire Blood Clinic | Food & Environmental Allergy

https://www.yorkshirebloodclinic.co.uk/tests/food-environmental-allergy

OP posts:
Lyregorse · 09/09/2025 20:50

They don’t seem to mention the type of allergy testing on their website, not that I can see anyway.

I’d contact them. You need IgE testing of blood samples. Also skin prick tests.

IgG testing of blood is useless. If that’s what they’re doing I’d try to get a refund if you’ve already paid.

Mushroo · 09/09/2025 20:51

It could just be viral hives? Lots of hives in kids don’t really have a cause.

If she was allergic to milk you’d expect a reaction every time.

BigOldBlobsy · 09/09/2025 21:20

AltitudeCheck · 09/09/2025 18:11

Keep a really detailed food diary. If she has consumed a glass of milk without reacting an alternative allergy seems more likely.

Did the Barney snack bear thing have soya or pea protein in it? It's possible she has an allergy to legumes (you mentioned chickpeas in the first meal she reacted to).

Also consider other environmental factors, artificial colours and flavors (orange or blackcurrant drinks or flavoured medicines), detergents / bath products etc.

I was just coming on to say this. I have DC with a whole host of allergies including legumes and pea and chickpea protein pops up in so many foods! …ice creams, beef burgers, sausages, breakfast bars the list goes on. Even in ‘free from’ replacement foods which we actually don’t eat as they’re gross sadly. Check everything including drinks sauces. And keep a very detailed diary of reactions.

BigOldBlobsy · 09/09/2025 21:20

Also I developed allergies as I got older as did DH. Wool clothing brings me out in hives as well!

PinkOtter · 10/09/2025 18:05

13th August she broke out first, then it didn’t happen again until 30 August, then from the 5th sept- now it’s been daily!
today she didn’t break out in school, when she got home she had spag Bol, and has broken out! I really do think it’s environmental

OP posts:
ScoobyBooby · 10/09/2025 18:18

Has she been tested for coeliac disease ?

PinkOtter · 10/09/2025 18:27

No tests what so ever up until now, awaiting gp blood test

OP posts:
Ponderingwindow · 10/09/2025 18:39

aside from the snack cake, do these dishes have any vegetables or seasonings in common? Even things that you don’t think of as allergens?

Lyregorse · 10/09/2025 20:55

I’m not sure what it is OP, though it sounds very stressful. Do you have allergies/asthma/eczema in the family or does she have eczema or asthma? Would it be worth phoning the GP again to explain about the daily reactions to see if your appointment could be brought forward?

Oldieandgoldie · 10/09/2025 21:01

It could be pea protein or lentils in the stock cubes?

Also cross contamination?

PinkOtter · 11/09/2025 20:52

Soo I did a test thing today
after school we didn’t return home went to a friends house, I brought the spag Bol from yesterday with me & she ate that and also had some rice and lentils at friends house- didn’t break out and then she went to a lesson 5-6.30
got home and she interacted with the cat and had a small break out on her arms so I definitely think it’s the cat or something at home

OP posts:
Lyregorse · 11/09/2025 21:14

I thought it had happened on holiday too though.

PinkOtter · 11/09/2025 21:29

Yes- but she had touched a stray cat whilst there

OP posts:
Lyregorse · 11/09/2025 21:48

Okay thanks. The doctor can test for cat too anyway.