To ask for your help with DD's allergy.

[Happyland8]

A few months back, DD came out in terrible hives one evenings. The only thing she had eaten that day out with the ordinary was some raspberry jam and we hadn't changed any other products (washing powder etc) so I put two and two together and figures out that it was probably caused by the jam. Fast forward a month and we were at a family gathering. DD ate strawberries and shortly after, some raised red patches on her face appeared. I took DD to see the GP who advised not to cut them out at this stage so as to build more evidence. Anyway, yesterday DH was making himself a smoothie with some strawberries in it. DD asked if she could have some so we let her try some. A few minutes later, she said "mummy my tongue is stinging". The strange thing is, things that are strawberry/raspberry flavoured (yoghurts, those bear kids snacks etc) don't seem to be affecting her, it's only actual strawberries and raspberries. I've gone ahead and called nursery and asked them not to give her strawberries or raspberries or jams anymore. They've been accommodating. Is it worth going back to the GP or am I best to just manage this myself? Is it likely that strawberry/raspberry flavoured things might begin to cause her to react? Sorry, I'm quite clueless with this and the GP seemed dismissive last time. I just want to ensure I'm not exposing her to something she could potentially have a severe reaction to. I'm hoping some mums on here might have experience of similar allergies. Thank you.

Pics attached although rash was much worse on her bum (don't want to attach those pics for obvious reasons)

Take the pics (and DD) to the GP and insist on referral to allergist. Also, look at websites/talk to Allergy UK.

Yes absolutely go to your GP.

The reason she isn’t reacting to strawberry flavour stuff is because the proteins of the item get broken down more and more as they are cooked or changed or used.

But please be wary of strawberry flavour things nonetheless because it could be a future reaction.

Get the GP to refer you to an allergy clinic in case she is allergic to bananas, kiwis, nuts etc.

I’m sure someone with better knowledge will be along in a minute but personally, I’d just manage this myself. It’s a fAirly easy thing to avoid.
My knowledge of allergies is more about contact dermatitis and dust allergies etc but I know with those that the more you are exposed to something the bigger your reaction becomes (over a fair length of time not the odd occasion) so you’re right to tell the nursery and be cautious with ingredient lists. Not much you can do except avoid and have piriton on hand. Hope she ok now.

Ooh, see! It’s amazing my kids have survived as long as they have with me in charge! Take their advice and ignore mine.

Flavouring which doesn’t have any of the actual fruit in may be ok but I would avoid anyway so that your daughter learns that she can’t have raspberry or strawberry.
I would ask for a referral as tingling in mouth is my first symptom and she has obviously had a big reaction. Allergic reactions can get worse each time so this could lead to anaphylaxis- this is what my allergy clinic told me.

I would push for a referral for allergy testing I know two children allergic to strawberries. Some GPS are really good, ours were not. You can get tested privately, the clinic near us is £100.

I suffer from chronic urticaria which I see the allergy clinic about but mines is so different because it's not triggered by a substance. Mines is more likely to be stress related or something and I've had it over 20 years. I've been in anaphylactic shock with it so I'm really paranoid about how it could develop but I suppose the advantage here is there's something that we can avoid.

I have intermittently had the same, due to stress. But when I looked it up, it did mention strawberries and raspberries as a possible trigger, along with various other foods.

One of mine has it, too - though God only knows what's she's allergic to, as it's apparently random. I give her Piriton, and it goes away. Another does have a nut allergy (after he had two bad reactions - the second worse than the first - I took him to the GP, and he was sent to the allergy clinic at the hospital, who confirmed it). Another is severely allergic to animals, which is unfortunate as her grandparents have a farm. I give her Piriton, too, when she goes there.

OP, I am on the whole inclined not to take mine to the doctor unless a limb is dropping off (or they are nut allergic). However, I think I would ask for your DD to be referred if I were you, just in case there are other things that she might be more severely allergic to.

Your own history is a very good reason to insist on referral for your daughter to get best advice; though hopefully you will be reassured and this is easily managed.

GP appointment made for tomorrow. Fingers crossed she'll get a referral 🤞🏼

Have a look at oral allergy syndrome, it’s quite common with fruits and tomato (also a fruit) but only occurs with fresh uncooked fruit

Thanks all.

I'll have a look at oral allergy syndrome.

Glad you've managed to get an appointment for tomorrow. I'm joining the crowd saying to show pics and have bullet points ready of the symptoms she's had following eating the fruit. The itchy mouth is concerning (to me) because it's now not 'just' hives.

My son (6) is allergic to several things including: strawberries, peppers and tomatoes. He started having obvious reactions at about 2.5-3 years old. Looking back he probably was very uncomfortable before than but I didn't realise and he couldn't tell me (speech issues).

The doctor was actually very concerned with how his 'tongue felt funny' and prescribed him liquid antihistamine straight away and put through a referral to see the allergy consultant at St. George's hospital for him. We had to keep his diet the same until he'd seen the consultant and had blood tests done. I'm gonna be honest, I cut out strawberries and peppers because the reaction to it was a bit scary and told the consultant this.

He's currently on a daily dose of antihistamine to control any swelling and hives and he gets another dose if he unknowing has something which irritates. we were told to call 999 if his symptoms can't be contained by that second dose.

Fingers crossed your doctor doesn't mess you about!

Aw your poor DD! Does this flare up as much after taking an anti histamine?

Second the concern about the tongue stinging - I would not be going anywhere without some antihistamine to hand whilst you get this looked into.

Make sure when asking for a referral you reference the family history of allergies and anaphylaxis but hopefully the GP will refer you without too much of an issue.

These pictures were of DD's first reaction. I didn't have any antihistamines in the house at the time to give her so on the following 2 occassions, I've given her portion which seems to have been quite effective. Hopefully the GP will get us referred and the allergy clinic will be able to tell us what we need to do next. DD has a massive fear of needles since her pre-school jabs. She's only just stopped hiding under my chair if she's at the doctors with me and she's 4 and a half. That's a bit of a concern for me with regards to the testing.

I have the same reaction when I have strawberries and raspberries amongst other things. It’s taken at least a year for my allergy testing to come through!

If you’re struggling for allergy testing they’re always on Wowcher. Don’t know how efficient they are though.

They don't look like needles at all, so hopefully she won't make the link.

There's an episode of Get Well Soon on cbeebies where the character is allergic to raspberries and they show the testing, might be good for her to watch.

Don't let the Doctor fob you off without a referral. Ask them if they can guarantee that she won't be allergic to anything else and isn't at risk of anaphylaxis.

Any more mentions of her tongue 'stinging' (my son says his tongue is 'spicey') then I'd take her to a&e or call 999, especially because you don't have any EpiPens to hold off a reaction.

I'd agree with Tiger- any more comments about her mouth and id have her checked at A&E to be on the safe side

I think I should have taken that more seriously when her tongue was stinging but I wasn't sure if food allergies can cause that without it being down to anaphylaxis. Thanks for the advice

Food allergy reactions are on a scale of sorts/continuum - from mild (hives, itchy skin, vomiting) through moderate (mild difficulty breathing, tightness in the throat) to severe (marked difficulty in breathing, feeling of closing of the throat). Severe is where there is risk of full blown anaphylaxis and you need to administer an epipen and call 999. For moderate we were advised to give antihistamine and go to A&E/see a doctor asap. A moderate reaction can sometimes be treated with antihistamine successfully, but can sometimes progress to severe/anaphylaxis.

Anything involving the mouth/tongue would be somewhere between moderate and severe I would say (not a doctor but parent of a child at risk of anaphylaxis). Hence us all saying that is the crucial/serious bit (which I think you've got now ).

There is an allergy board on here as well which can be a good source of info and support.

@Happyland8 I'll make you feel better:

Before my oldest started breaking out in hives and my mum, who is on a daily dose of antihistamine and has two epi pens; alerted me that the rash was probably linked to food, I had an awful situ with my middle child with almost three years on I break out in a cold sweat over:

One evening he had reaction to something after playing in the garden.
He was so swollen, blotchy and his breathing was awful. I didn't realise how serious it was, I'd never seen anything like it or knew how dangerous it was...I've never actually seen my mum have full on anaphylaxis...I think my brain shorted.
So I didn't take him anywhere. I dosed him up with phenergan. I should of gone straight to a&e.

He woke up less swollen, voice was croaky but breathing had improved. Now I know, but I was so clueless.

• which almost three years on I still break out in a cold sweat over.

Sorry for typos!

That sounds awful doctorboo. Glad he was okay in the end.

Agree with those who've mentioned the mouth thing. Nut-allergic child has this. That was his first symptom. Glad you have got an appointment, OP.