Just seen-GP re:bad allergy to prawns. To push for allergy testing or not?

[pugsandseals]

That's it really!
GP seemed to think that because it was an obvious reaction to prawns we should do nothing except avoid prawns, scallops and scampi (despite DD having eaten lots of scampi in the past & no reaction).
Is this a normal diagnosis? And would you push for more?
Very grateful for any advice before I talk to the school nurse about it on Monday please! Not sure what to think.

I second that Blurred, plus use a syringe, you can get them at the chemists, as it's not always easy to persuade a child to take meds in the middle of an allergic reaction.

pugs, shame we need to help each other out rather than the NHS doing its job.

I am allergic to shellfish and, as I'm anaphylactic, I have to carry my epipen with me all the time. Perhaps this is something you need to investigate this further.

My consultant in Canada told me to avoid everything that came in a shell out of the sea. Prawns, lobster, crab etc. Most people who are allergic to shellfish are actually allergic to the iodine in the shell and NOT the actual meat itself. This was an important bit of information for me as it needed to go in my medical chart for any future surgical proceedures.

I'd definitely invesitigate it a bit more in depth. Good luck.

Fangs- that's interesting! Our GP didn't mention any other shellfish & does that mean iodine would be a problem too I wonder?

Is swelling in & around the mouth considered anaphylactic then?

Anaphylaxis (I think), is when you collapse from low blood pressure or have difficulty bretahing due to swelling of the airways.

Obviously, lip/mouth swelling is pretty serious as it could spread to the airways and cause constriction.

So, the faster acting the anti-histamine the better.

We decant piriton into a smaller glass bottle which our local pharmacist kindly gave us. It fits into a small takeaway-type plastic box with his epipen, inhaler, dosing spoon and hydro-cortisone cream (also with emergency contact numbers and instructions/symptom list). This is what he takes with him wherever he goes.

Your dd should probably have piriton to be kept at school too.

pugsandseals - I don't know if iodine would be an issue for your dd, but in my case, it is definitely an issue. I had my appendix out 2 years ago and, although they knew about my allergy, they didn't connect the issue to iodine. When prepping me for surgery, the rubbed iodine on to my belly and I instantly came out in hives. I don't know if this is the case with all shellfish allergies, but I would check with your GP.

I would definitely echo what BlurredBoundaries said. You need to be prepared just in case she ingests shellfish. When I go out to eat, I make a point of telling them I am allergic to all seafood. Some restaurants even have a separate grill for those who are anaphylactic.

It's perfectly manageable though so try not to worry too much.

I found some useful info for a shellfish free diet here
alwaysreadthelabel.info

FWIW, I am very allergic to prawns/shrimp, crayfish and langoustines -- but can eat scallops, mussels and oysters with no problem whatsoever. And scampi isn't something I eat much, but I know I ate it as a child with no probs.

Lobster used to be fine, I had it loads when we used to visit family in Maine when I was a kid. But when I had some here about ten years ago I felt a bit of a reaction, so I've stopped.

I reckon an epi-pen is worth looking into. I have one. My reactions got worse as I got older -- at age 9 I just had a horrible itchy mouth and was sick after eating shrimp, whereas at age 23 I ate prawns by mistake and ended up vomiting and then in A&E with a hugely swollen face and difficulty breathing, and had to have double the usual amount of cortisone (or whatever, I think it was that) injections before I was OK to go home. It really gave me a fright.

I have found that Chinese/Thai takeaway places are a real nightmare for this allergy, so it's worth being extra careful with those. In the past year alone I've had three incidents where veggie and/or pork-based starters turned out to contain very obvious prawns, despite clear assurances from the person taking orders on the phone that they were shellfish-free. It's getting to the point where it doesn't feel worth the risk. I think it's because often, the takeaway restaurants buy things like spring rolls or dumplings frozen and ready-made, and in many cases they are not really hugely familiar with what's in them; or there are mis-labelling issues, or simple confusion. So please watch out for this.

Anyway -- I'm sorry to post at such length, good luck

the average GP knows very little about allergy because they get virtually no training. There are very few properly trained consultants to pass on information. Personally I think you'd be better asking for a referral to test exactly what she is allergic to. However fish is a bit of a problem - one time we were at an allergy clinic another parent had had to take fish samples. Don't do that unless asked as some children (like her son) are allergic just to smell.

Scampi should be lobster tail but is often prawns, whatever it says on the menu!

Also agree with liquid piriton as although bottles are a pain its easier to get it in if a mouth is swelling.

Decision made I think!
I'm hoping that my GP of choice (not the one we saw Wednesday) will talk about DD's allergies without her being there once she's back at school next week. This way I can argue for the testing & talk about how dangerous allergies can get without scaring DD to death!
Hope it works- off to see when I can get an appointment for!
Thanks so much to all who have contributed- you have all been so helpful xxx

Pugs, our surgery does a telephone consultation session each day. First come/phones first served type thing.

I find it really useful for these sorts of queries.

I think you are doing the right thing in trying to get it investigate further.

Good luck.