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2-year-old not right, sniffing and rubbing face / head, any suggestions

19 replies

Strathyre · 11/01/2024 08:45

I am getting desperate and very worried as my two-year-old hasn't been right since about mid November. Symptoms since around that time have been:

  • more tired than usual, e.g. saying he's tired and spending time lying on the floor in the afternoon
  • not wanting to play outside e.g. if we go somewhere outside he often just wants to be held or sit in the buggy
  • rubbing his eyes / face / head constantly, mainly his forehead and around his eyes
  • eczema on his face and forehead
  • sniffing constantly
  • saying his eyes hurt, particularly when he wakes up in the night and in the morning. Sometimes if I ask exactly where he points direct to his eyeball, other times he says his eyes and his nose. So I'm not sure if it's actually his eyes.
  • Last week he also started saying it hurt when he did a wee and wet the bed twice.
  • It's affecting his concentration e.g. with new toys instead of getting on and playing he has to stop to keep sniffing and rubbing his face.

I've been to the GP four times so far. First time they gave hydrocortisone for his face, and said the rest of the symptoms were likely just down to successive viruses. Second time they looked in his ears and said they were full of fluid, prescribed a week's antibiotics. Third time said fluid in his ears had gone, one ear was a bit pink and thought he had conjunctivitis (if he does it's v mild). Thought the head rubbing was down to dry skin and/or conjunctivitis, and the rest of the symptoms down to successive viruses. Fourth time was after the bed wetting and pain on weeing and they found blood in his urine and diagnosed a UTI. Those symptoms have now cleared but everything else remained.

I'm starting to get really worried about this and would be grateful for any ideas what could be going on. I'm ready to throw money at the problem but I don't know what type of specialist I would take him to - dermatologist / ENT / allergy / ophthalmologist or even neurologist??? Back to GP and be more insistent??

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
MailMe1 · 11/01/2024 08:47

Back to GP, maybe a referral for some bloods. Also sounds like maybe allergies. But also agree could be the viruses. Poor baby.

what’s their diet like?

Strathyre · 11/01/2024 08:49

Good question I forgot to mention! Throughout all this he has been eating very well and growing, whatever it is it is not affecting his appetite or growth at all. He's also been sleeping well apart from some nights he'll wake once and complain his eyes are hurting, then go straight back to sleep.

OP posts:
SaraLMog · 11/01/2024 08:49

Awww bless him. Back to GP and INSIST on more tests x

irishapple · 11/01/2024 08:57

Wee darling. I would push for bloods.

SeaToSki · 11/01/2024 09:00

Maybe a sinus infection? I would ask for an ENT referral and if the wait is long (and you can afford it), consider a private paediatric ent..you can self refer

SnapdragonToadflax · 11/01/2024 09:16

I would definitely push for bloods, poor little thing. It might just be being run down after successive viruses, but it needs checking.

Have you changed anything about his bedding recently? Different pillow, duvet, or washing powder? Upgraded from cot to bed? Got a pet?

Nomoredamnmats · 11/01/2024 09:21

This sound ridiculous, but could he have got something stuck up his nose ?

SnapdragonToadflax · 11/01/2024 10:19

Just had another thought as well, do you have a plug-in air freshener, or anything else scented in or around his room (maybe bathroom)?

Strathyre · 12/01/2024 15:36

Thanks for the replies. We went back to the gp who sent us to see the paediatricians at the hospital (basically paediatric a&e). They're taking it seriously but want to do a ct scan. They say an mri is possible but would need him to be put to sleep. I'm in a panic about the ct as I had one years ago and had huge regret and anxiety following it. I d9nt think my mental health could cope with him having one so young. WIBU to decline and make them consider alternatives? I'm in a panic in a&e waiting area now.

I'm thinking put to sleep would be sedation not full on general anaesthetic so maybe not the same risks ... ??

OP posts:
Strathyre · 12/01/2024 15:37

I should have said the ct would be sinuses not brain.

OP posts:
Strathyre · 12/01/2024 15:43

Oh no, they've just come back and said it would be full head. In need of a handhold here.

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irishapple · 12/01/2024 20:00

Are you worried about radiation OP?

Strathyre · 12/01/2024 22:25

So worried! Also now worried maybe I've exaggerated his symptoms somehow to get to this place. It's just such a turnaound from the gp saying it was dry skin and/or viruses.

OP posts:
lolaVie · 13/01/2024 21:24

Hope all okay OP

LetMeOut2021 · 13/01/2024 21:26

They won’t do a CT scan on a child of that age lightly. I would seriously consider taking their advice and putting your own anxieties aside.

YummyBelicious · 13/01/2024 21:30

It is normal to feel worried- but my friend once said to me it's better for you to be worried about them testing for something, than going home and worried you've been fobbed off and they haven't tested for something
Wish you both well

AJLO2224 · 15/12/2024 16:07

Hi OP!
I know this post is older but curious how your little one made out? My 2.5 year old is exhibiting VERY similar symptoms and I’m worried. Haven’t taken him back to the pediatrician’s yet (went once and confirmed no ear infection). Part of me thinks this could all be molars, and the age…part of me worries it’s something more serious! And it’s making me spiral. Thanks!!

Strathyre · 15/12/2024 21:46

AJLO2224 · 15/12/2024 16:07

Hi OP!
I know this post is older but curious how your little one made out? My 2.5 year old is exhibiting VERY similar symptoms and I’m worried. Haven’t taken him back to the pediatrician’s yet (went once and confirmed no ear infection). Part of me thinks this could all be molars, and the age…part of me worries it’s something more serious! And it’s making me spiral. Thanks!!

Well he had a ct scan in the end, which was clear. And then as it got warmer, he gradually got better, and stopped the head rubbing. By the time I had a follow up appointment he was back to normal. I still don't know what was going on, I wonder if it was some kind of post viral thing, but I'll never know now. I hope your little one gets better.

OP posts:
AJLO2224 · 15/12/2024 23:09

Thank you so much for replying, and easing my mind! So glad your LO is ok! I’m wondering if it’s just the never-ending winter sniffles, considering our trouble started same time of year. Hoping that’s it, at least. Hope you all stay healthy!

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