Would you see the GP about this? Pale toddler with bags under eyes

[Cotherstone]

I can't tell if I'm just being paranoid about this, but you know when you just have a nagging background feeling you can't shake?

Nearly 3yo has always been very pale and prone to bags under/creased eyes. I took her to the GP when she was a baby about having red-rimmed, dark circled eyes and that turned out to be her tear ducts having not formed too well, so very common and seemed to right itself (as in she now cries normally, not straight out her nose!)

However the bags under her eyes have always bugged me, and the last few weeks she seems even paler than usual and to me the bags seem worse, and she frequently has quite red-rimmed eyes by the end of the day. She looks tireder than usual by the evenings too, but nothing has changed - same routine, and she's sleeping the same amount, and not asking for extra sleep, other than readily agreeing by 7.30 she's ready for bed.

She had a bad fever a few weeks ago for no obvious reason, seemed to bounce back fine but over the past few weeks her nappies haven't been as solid as usual and occasionally veer nearer to diarrhea.

It's all very vague and non-specific, I know, but a quick bit of googling suggests that anemia or allergies. I don't like seeing the GP with something vague and I've never taken her before to sort of shrug and say "I don't know, something just seems a bit off" - but would you? Or does it sound like I'm overreacted? DH tends a little towards me being paranoid.

Any suggestions or advice would be great. I do have a day off work tomorrow so have a chance to take her.

I would most definitely take her. I can't offer much advice, but trust you gut because you have nothing to lose in doing so. That's what GP's are there for, to help you when you think there may be something wrong. Don't worry about sounding paranoid, you're not.

Trust the nagging background feeling above all else, it is natures way of helping you keep your little one safe & is rarely wrong - I know that is right from experience, several times over, even in the face of disbelieving doctors & DD would not be here today had I not listened to that instinct.

My first thought on reading your opening post was actually allergies, I recognise a lot in your post & after years of fobbing off, my own DD turned out to have a delayed action soy allergy amongst other things - but the symptoms you mention do fit with allergies - you can speak to your GP & they can refer to a paediatrician for testing - though delayed action allergies need a blood test to show an allergic response, but won't show the actual allergy - a skin test might

Is there any reason why you think it could be anaemia?? - if so try adding more for a few weeks & see if she improves

Good luck

Oh, & dehydration can be a common cause of dark circles

Take her. Always, if in doubt, take them. Hope it turns out that your DD is fine!

There is something known as allergic shiners where people with allergies appear to have black eyes.

Sounds like it could be allergy related.

I don't know but I agree with the always take them if you are in doubt advice.

I would be asking about allergies and autoimmune testing - coeliac for example can present with pale skin and dark circles under the eyes.

Low iron/low vitamin d can be a sign of a damaged gut (from coeliac or many other causes), so would be worth testing.

What about her height and weight? Has she been dropping through the centiles?

Of course you should take her if you are worried, and you are not being vague, you are describing clear symptoms.

Anaemia is a possibility with young children who refuse to eat meat but can be very easily treated with a supplement.

OP here (nc for another thread in case my posts aren't a funny colour).

Thank you loads for the reassurance. I saw the GP this morning and was all psyched up to try and convince them I wasn't just being paranoid but she was lovely and really listened to me. She said she didn't think it was allergies as she'd expect eczema or something else as well, and that toddlers don't really have sinus problems, but she didn't write me off. She thought DD was a bit pale (though I'm pale too and it could just nbe her natural colour) and her eyes were a bit puffy, and listened to her chest. She couldn't spot anything wrong but we're going for a blood test in a moment for liver, kidneys, glucose, coeliac etc because she was quite happy for DD to have a bit of an MOT if I had some concerns.

So thanks again for convincing me I wasn't being OTT!

Glad she listened to you! I am sure it won't be anything but it will be worth you being reassured.