Food allergies and asthma?

[strawberrycornetto]

Hello. My DS (9 months) who is allergic to milk, eggs and possibly soya, has just been hospitalised with bronchiolitis which developed into pneumonia. He is much better now and is home, but was given an inhaler/spacer thing which they suggested we keep and use with him if he has any further colds etc this winter.

I am aware that with eczema and food allergies, he is at risk of asthma, and I assume that this latest episode may also suggest a vulnerability. I am also aware that asthma is a factor which can potentially make allergic reactions more serious.

Does anyone think I should mention this to our paediatrician? We don't have an epipen at the moment but I am wondering whether this will change DS's risk of a bad reaction. Does anyone have any experience of this?

Thanks.

Strawberry, I'm in Ireland, so treatment is possibly different but I know that my friend was prescribed an epipen because of dust mite allergy, i.e. doc seemed to think that the food allergies alone wouldn't merit having the epipen, but the dust mite was the deciding factor. Also, allergic reactions can be worse if asthma is poorly controlled. I would definitely mention to paed.

Thanks, that was kind of what I was thinking. Our paed wavered when considering it before and decided against it on balance. I really don't want one unless its necessary, especially while he is so young, but I guess the doctors should make that decision based on all the information.

Yes, it's hard to know but if you trust your doctor and he/she has all the info., I think for myself I'd be happy with whatever decision they make.

I would def inform you pead .

I think that many peads worry over the weight issue with regard to epi pens, some ask for infant to weight over 25lbs, for a epi pen junior.

But if you feel that you are able to continue to fully control complete avoidance of allergens , you might wish to wait for a epi pen.

I wouldnt trust the Gp or pead , unless they have had previous interest or experience of severe food allergy , and are trained in any allergy qualification.
This training or knowledge is pretty rare.

I WOULD push for a referral to a pead imunoliogist, ring the anaphylaxis campaign to ask for your nearest clinic details and doctors names.

you have a multpile food allergic child with the possible asthma ( doc's only can give clear diagnosis of asthma after one yr old) which means that you need the correct medical support.
IF you can get to a london allergy clinic, you will be given the best support for the coming future years.
good luck

sorry about spelling mistakes, have lost my glassess

Thanks Williamsmummy. We do have good support, DS is under George Du Toit in Gideon Lack's clinic and is also on the Leap Study, so we have access to the doctors through there. I kind of didn't want to be paranoid, and I am sure he's way to small weight wise. I think I will flag it but not push the point.

Have met Goerge Du toit, he explains things very simply , in a easy to understand way.
you are in the right hands, we were under Gideon lack, but we now have John Warner.
( we have been pretty lucky with our docs.)

I would inform allergy clinic about current illness, and need for inhalers.
Then when you go for next appointment they will do some through testing on lung function etc.

you should mention it to the paediatrician as allergic reactions are more likely to be serious in those with asthma - I'm sorry. Sit by your child once unable to help and wondering if an ambulance will reach you in time and you will probably want the epipen. It can be a problem knowing when to use them but you don't have to use one unless its life or death and they have very little risk when someone is having breathing difficulties.

You could also ask about adrenaline inhalers. These used to be available in America and on a named patient basis here. People who had them were very happy with them. I don't know if it's still possible to get them here and you'd need to research their safety.

its not possible to get those adrenaline inhalers in the UK on prescripton any more.
i think it was something to do with people just relying on them to help during a reaction, and it not working as effectivly as a epi pen.

and ,

a chest infection a such a young age doenst always point to asthma.

My elsdest son had three chest infections before 6 months. ( no asthma, and we are a high asthmatic riddled family)

And my allergic child had quite a few chest infections from 6 months - 5 yrs.
He did have inhalers prescribed for a short period when he was 7 months due to seasonal allergies.

Dr Lack has ordered pretty through lung function testing over the years , and my son is not asthmatic as such.

His current inhalers are prescribed as an aide to his other allergy emergency stuff, and exposure to dog.

but, I am drifting , what I am trying to say is that it doesnt mean that your son is going to asthmatic, a small number of allergic people are not.
He still has a high chance, and its worth checking with the medical professionals and ask a few questions.
Its not a time to overly worry about something that might not ever happen. and if it did you would cope with as you are coping with your poorly baby now.
I hope baby is on the mend now.
good luck

Thanks Tatt and WM. DS has been unwell again. We've been back to hospital today and it seems that he either has another dose of bronchiolitis or it has come back now that we had stopped the inhaler. We are back on the inhaler and luckily they do not think the pneumonia has reoccured. We have now been referred to outpatients because of how bad his check xray was from last time though, which had been missed when he was discharged because he had seemed so much better. The consultant tonight did mention asthma, and so I guess we have to prepare that he might have it. Either way, I know he's getting good treatment on both fronts, so I am going to try to relax about it.

Tatt, don't worry, if he needs an epipen, I would certainly take one. I didn't mean to suggest I would try and avoid it. When we first found out about the milk allergy I wanted to push for one, but trusted the advice that it probably wasn't necessary in his case. I don't want the doctors to think I am neurotic but if the situation has now changed, I just want to make sure I protect him, whatever that takes. I'd rather have it and be over cautious than not have it and need it.