Is DS a candidate for an epipen?

[rainbowlight]

My 15mo DS has multiple allergies to egg, milk, soya, beans, lentils, peas, sunflower oil and cats. On Thursday he had his worse reaction to date as he was given accidently peas at nursery - he broke out in hives over his face, neck & chest (as is usual) but his eyes also swelled up which has not happened before. He had to have 2 doses of piriton before the swelling went. He was diagnosed with asthma last month so I am very concerned about the swelling linking with his asthma especially that it was to the same food group as peanuts (legumes).
Has anyone got any experience of the criteria of being prescribed an epipen - I have enquired with the paediatrician at a previous appointment but she dismissed it but this was 2 months ago before the asthma diagnosis - we see her again next month so going to ask her again but would just like to hear of other peoples experiences.

I agree - my paediatrician (allergy specialist) told me to completely avoid eggs/milk for DS, and nuts too even though he's never had them and we don't know if he's allergic, apparently being allergic to eggs/milk AND nuts is common enough to take this precaution.

Sounds like you need a new paediatrician, someone who specialises in allergies!

My DD was prescribed an anapen at around 2 and a half. She had previously had a couple of reactions but not a full blown anaphylactic reaction.
Re paediatrician telling you to give egg, this has really shocked me. I've seen my DD's reactions, including one anaphylactic one and things can go downhill in 10 minutes or less. With no epipen prescribed, this could be a really dangerous situation. Obviously I'm not qualified to give medical advise, but this goes against everything I've been told and any research I've done. I would change paeds as soon as possible and pursue the epipen thing also.

I'd agree with the advice to see an allergy consultant. Even clinics described as paediatric allergy clinics don't necessarily have a consultant allergist. We've seen both and had to educate the paediatrician in what tests were available and why the peanut allergic should be tested for lupin. Apart from doing tests he was as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Generally you are more likely to get an epipen if your child is asthmatic. Reactions are, unfortunately, more likely to be severe in the asthmatic.

I know of only one baby dying from an anaphylactic reaction. I don't believe piriton was given promptly and an ambulance was not summoned immediately, they called the mother. The first line of defence is making sure that everyone caring for a child knows how to react.

Epipens can be false comfort. People can be slow to use them and they can fail to use them properly. It is possible to die from adrenaline overdose, although that has generally happened in hospital.

It's not an easy decision to make. Get advice from someone who properly understands the risks and benefits and that doesn't include a lot of paediatricians. They tend to overstate risk and underestimate benefit.

Can you be referred to an allergy consultant or do you have to go private? Are they around the country as we are in the North West so not close to London where I imagine they are more likely to be based and how do I find one in my area?
Re: the Paed advising to give egg she says that egg cooked at a high temperature for a long time changes the protein so the body doesn't then recognise it the same and that if the body isn't exposed and given the chance to accept the food then exposure further down the line would potentially create a much worse reaction. I also know of someone with a DC with a severe milk allergy and she is being advised to expose her to milk when she is 18 months (different Paed to the one I see). We are definatley not going to expose him to anything else and will pursue the possibility of getting an epipen for him - we have got an appointment with the GP next week to discuss and see if she can recommend any allergy consultants to refer DS to.

www.bsaci.org
List all NHS allergy clinics in the UK. One way to be sure that a clinic is run by a properly qualified specialist is to ask if they require a GP referral. Those that do not request this are often run by unqualified practitioners.

Thanks TT

Rainbowlight, just letting you know we had our appointment but DS seems to have grown out of his allergies, so we didn't need to discuss epipens after all. I hope you find the advice you need soon.

That is great news Strawberry you must be so relieved - I am very pleased for you all especially your DS
We are going to see the GP next week to ask to be referred to an allergy consultant so hopefully she will be supportive!