So upset! I've just caused reaction in son

[picc]

Sorry if this is a really obvious thing. I've not posted here in a while, and am so upset I haven't checked through other posts.

Just gave DS (11 months) his tea. All things he'd had before. Except humus. And now he's come up with red blotches everywhere, BRIGHT red face, so sore everywhere, little blisters, crying his eyes out. Obviously distressed.

Luckily we have some anit-histamine here, as his eczema can get really bad at times. I THINK his lips were a bit swollen, but not so bad it's really obvious.

I feel so stupid.

Humus?? I never even thought! He hasn't reacted this obviously to anything else. Not egg, not milk, not wheat. So I just happily gave it to him.

Is humus a likely allergen? Is there anything else that's likely to do anything similar? What to I do now? Just avoid humus in future, or go back to being really vigilent about everything?

(I was really careful for the first few months of weaning, but for the last month or so I've been a bit less so).

By the way... sorry for all the questions!! I'm a bit worked up!

I use to look after a child who was allergic to shop bought houmous, but not homemade!

Was it shop bought? You've got chickpeas, garlic, mmm what else, maybe seasame seeds they must put something in it that us he reacting to??

Yep, was shop-bought.
Looks like I'd better make my own then, if I find out what it is he's reacting to and it's not the main ingredients.

He's had garlic, lemon etc before. But just looked at ingredients and yes contains sesame seeds. AGH! Silly girl! Why didn't I think?

Will try chick peas in something else and see if he reacts (am pretty sure he's had them, but now not thinking very straight)

Guess I need to calm down first!

Ingredients: Cooked Chickpeas(46%), Rapeseed Oil, Water, Tahini (from Sesame) (9%), Concentrated Lemon Juice, Salt, Garlic, Cornflour, Cooken Chickpeas contain: Water, Chickpeas.

Yep, either seame or rapeseeds, I guess.

Thanks...

Most likely the sesame seeds. My dd1 has eczema and is allergic to egg and when we got her allergy tests done we were told sesame is a common one.

She ate houmus once with no problem but reacted the next time.

I make my own with chickpeas, oil, garlic and lemon juice and leave out the tahini and it is fine.

Once you have given the antihistamine just keep an eye on him to make sure he has no more swelling around the mouth or throat.

It looks awful but goes quickly once the antihistamine is taken.

will almost certainly be sesame - they usually put tahina (sesame paste) in shop-bought humus. Sesame is one of the most common allergens.

Thanks for getting back to me.
Feel so stupid now! And a bit guilty..

Yes. Thanks. Will keep an eye on him. He'll be in our bed by midnight, probably anyway!

Will make my own in future, as long as chickpeas are definitely ruled out, cos he did REALLY like it!!

Hi,

Poor you and your DS. It's horrible thinking something you gave to your child caused so much discomfort, but don't beat yourself up there's no way you could have known he would react in that way.

My DS had a bad reaction to humous. When he was tested he was allergic to BOTH the sesame and the chickpeas in it. Chickpeas are a member of the same family as peanuts.

I would ask your GP to get you referred for testing before trying him on humous again.

Don't feel guilty, how could you possibly have known?
I think all of us with allergic children have made mistakes, and that's even once you know about the allergy! but the first time you have no idea so it's not your fault at all, it's just life.

I would also get him tested before trying hummus again.

We had the same thing happen last week, I know how you feel.

picc - we had this too. It was the sesame seeds. I wouldn't feel too bad about this, I'm sure many of us have discovered previously unknown allergies this way. We had the same kind of experience with kiwi fruit.

Not your fault - please don't feel bad - mums can't know everything and I've done it too (kiwi too invisiblehand)

Pistachio nut in my house. Poor DD1 blew up like a balloon!!!
Lucky I had piriton to hand.
We now have to have epi pens in the house.
Our GP wont send DD for testing as she said clinical history is a safer way, rather than risk another reaction.

DS1 is allergic to chick peas (and lentils, they are related). He reacts to hummus just like you've described.

I would speak to your GP and ask for a referral to an allergy specialist for testing to be sure. Chick pea and lentil allergy can be (though is not always) accompanied by peanut allergy as they are all in the same family (legumes).

Gosh, thanks for all the replies.

And the reassurance about the guilt/ shame/ worry

Felt much calmer once I'd talked about it here. Also, I was absolutely amazed how he woke up this morning and looked absolutely fine.

Was expecting him to have even a little bit of redness/ soreness left. But nothing.

Interesting about the legumes family. He's been okay on lentils, and even had a bit of peanut butter. But I think I want him to be tested now. Will ask the doctor.

Thanks so much for sharing advice/ experiences/ wisdom.