Blotchy rash after first time eating prawns

[sheeplikessleep]

DS 2.4 tried prawns yesterday in a fish pie (could only have been about 2-3 in his portion, they were the small frozen ones that I put in before cooking). His CM noticed a rash on his back and chest yesterday afternoon, which is still on him today. It runs from his neck, front and back, as well as his chest and back and it's quite 'angry' looking.

The rash is small pink / red dots, some of them are joined up and look blotchy as a result. It's not chicken pox, as there's no 'centre' to the spots and one of the other mums at ds's childminders (who is a doctor) said it looks like measles visually (but he doesn't have any other symptoms, of temperature, any illness etc - he is well in himself, so not to worry, unless he develops a temperature). He has had MMR (first jab).

I just wondered if it is a reaction to prawns, whether he would still have the rash nearly 24 hours later? When DS had a reaction to egg at 8 months old, the rash flared up within an hour, but then disappeared quite quickly.

Any thoughts or experiences very much appreciated, thanks for reading.

PS I'm 35 weeks pregnant, so also a bit concerned if it is anything else really.

Thanks

Well if you've consulted a doctor, even informally, it's probably fine, but perhaps you should make an appointment if it doesn't clear up in the next few days.

If it is a reaction to prawns, it would be best to know, as a future reaction might be more severe. Did the doc who looked at him think that likely?

I think by 35 weeks pregnant there shouldn't be any risk to your unborn baby from something like chicken pox or even rubella.

thanks for posting.
i spoke to nhs direct today, who advised going into a pharmacist just to double check (ds was also with an 11 month old on wednesday).
i managed to speak to our doctor, who said bring him down and when we did, he said it is definitely a uticara rash (is that the right spelling?). am glad i got him checked over, as it's reassuring. the doctor said it is unlikely we'll find out what caused the reaction. i personally think it might have been the prawns, as that was his only out of the ordinary food yesterday. the doctor didn't say anything else about eating it again in the future though.

if you think a child has had an allergic reaction to prawns you would be foolish to give them to him again without allergy testing. Second reactions can be worse. It would be wise to get that testing sometime, although its not urgent as prawns aren't too hard to avoid.

Famous TV person nearly died after eating prawns, she hadn't realised how bad her reaction was. Luckily there was someone around with an epipen who was willing to use it on her.

tatt - do i need to do this via a doctor? i've no experience with allergy testing or the processes to go through.
i'll google, but any advice or suggestions appreciated.
thanks for posting

I'm lucky enough not to know anything about food allergies, but I'm sure tatt's right. I think you'd get it done through your gp.

yes through your gp, home tests or other tests are a waste of money as they aren't reliable. Your gp may just be able to take blood (they can do that for some allergens) and send away but a referral to an allergy clinic would be more appropriate. Getting blood from small children is traumatic, more so than skin prick tests at a clinic.

Have you dosed them with piriton? If the rash then goes quickly it is an allergy, though not necessarily to prawns.