Asthma and / or allergies?

[mrschristmastime]

DS (4) has had bad eczema since birth. He was constantly snotty for about 18 months up until about March this year. The ENT consultant suspected he may need his adenoids removed. Allergy testing revealed an allergies to cats so the diagnosis was made of allergic rhinitis. We rehomed our cat in June. Since March there has been no snot but his chest has been very noisy - it sounds like he is snoring when he is awake. He coughs at night and in the morning. I'm guessing the snot is now going onto his chest?

He's had a blue inhaler prescribed since may. It helps a little. Antibiotics haven't makes a difference. Last week he was prescribed montelucast which has made no difference but I understand we haven't given it much time to work.

I'm not convinced it is asthma. His cough seems wet and his chest sounds less creeky / noisy after a good cough.

Since April ish his eczema has also flared up to the point where it's almost impossible to take a break from his steroid cream.

We have an appointment next month with the ENT consultant but I'm not sure that's the way to go. Should I be asking for a referral to dermatology? A chest / asthma specialist?

I just feel like they are throwing medication at us but not getting anywhere with a diagnosis. He's only been seen in person once by a nurse to listen to his chest - she prescribed the antibiotics.

Does anyone have any experience of this or advice?

Thank you in advance.

Both of my LOs take montelucast powders and are on Clenil (brown inhaler) which has worked brilliantly- they were both admitted loads with chest/ breathing issues and my son was definitely as you've described more or less since birth.
You need the brown preventative inhaler not just the blue if you're using it regularly. But stick with the powders - I think that we were told a few weeks to get it into their system. Best of luck.

Thank you. I will ask about the brown inhaler at the next appointment. Did you get an asthma diagnosis? From the GP?
I'm not that confident in a GP diagnosing asthma over the phone!

They won't diagnose asthma until a child is around five years old- but the attend an asthma clinic and they take asthma medication.

My boy is 5 he got his adenoids removed at 2 years old been on blue inhaler/montelukast/brown inhaler all for the same thing and has been attending pediatrician since, he’s not had formal diagnosis for asthma yet, On record they have put reactive airways disease, but he’s been on allergy medication aswell since February, had loads immune system bloods done and also allergy testing, still under investigation he hasn’t attended any asthma clinics at all just seeing his pediatrician

@Hopeful16

They won't diagnose asthma until a child is around five years old- but the attend an asthma clinic and they take asthma medication.

That must be a fairly recent change as my youngest was diagnosed at 3yrs old with asthma. And this was in U.K. back in 2007.

With that degree of allergies, ezcema and a cough that is worse at night it would be a surprise if he doesn't get a diagnosis of asthma when he is old enough for the diagnosis. They all bundle together.

A preventer inhaler could be one answer.
A dermatologist could help re eczema. It’s a case of finding the right regime. So best emollient, applies often enough and liberally enough. And the right strength steroid when needed.
Good luck.

What you are describing sounds like asthma. Do you have any other pets? Has he been tested for allergy to dust and dustmite? What about food allergies - has he been tested (esp as he has eczema as well)?

I think with that story it's not a stretch for us group of randoms to diagnose asthma over the internet, let alone a GP over the phone.

Not a lot else it can be TBH.