Desperate about dd1 (5.5) - spots every winter all over her face

[fondant4000]

I've searched mumsnet and the internet but can't find anyone who has had the same?!

She eats a terrible diet (very picky eater), and last year we took her to a consultant who said she was iron deficient (diet related). Since then she has been on iron supplements every day.

She has beautiful skin, but if she gets a cold - and especially in the winter - she gets spots, which she picks and it looks terrible. Every winter since she was 3 she has had spots for most of the winter. They are like the kind of spots we all get, so I'm guessing it's an immune related thing.

I am often asked if she has just had chicken pox - so now I just say 'yes'! If anyone has had the same - or has any idea why it hapopens, please help me. It makes me cry to look at her beautiful face with these red spots on it (usually about 5 or 6).

She's had blood tests (not for Coeliac) and iron-deficiency was the only thing that came up. Her haemoglobin is now normal, although her iron reserves are still a little low according to tests (not huge around about 11 mg)

My DS has had dozens of blood tests since he was born, my advice for stress free tests...

Get emla cream and patches from your GP, apply yourself (you may need another pair of hands)60 minutes before blood test - no hanging around getting stressed.

Have the blood test done at a local hospital where there is a paediatric phlebotomist, I will no longer allow SHO/Paed Regs to do bloods on DS unless for an emeregeny admission.

Ask for the play therapist to come, this makes life much easier as they will blow bubbles (DS is younger) or use distraction techniques.

Also be clear on the instructions, if they need her to fast she needs to fast for a reason

But there is no need to fast for a coeliac test Marmaduke. Several members of my family have been tested (including myself) in hospital, in tests ordered by consultants. Neither the consultants nor the phlebotomists have ever even mentioned fasting, in fact the tests have been done at the end of a hospital appointment with no prior warning.

Which is why I wrote 'be clear on the instructions', I was not saying she had to.

But how about, hey Marm great suggestions twice on this thread - once for protective skin cream and second for helpful suggestions to ease blood tests after the OP had posted 'I couldn't bear to make dd go thru' another blood test (it was horrible - 2 of them holding her down without any forewarning...)'

Thanks guys,

Thanks for the advice about emla cream Marmaduke - knew there was a cream, but didn't know the name!

They only do blood tests at the hospital, local clinics are not allowed to do children. Then I go and get a couple of people who seem to know nothing about children or Coeliac! They were supposed to know how to deal with children

It may not turn up anything - and I'm really hoping she doesn't have Coeliac or that's half her current diet out the window! But at least I'll stop wondering about it.

I was horrified when DS5 was diagnosed fondant-he also has Asperger's Syndrome and his diet was extremely limited and almost entirely consisted of foods with gluten in (cereals, bread etc).

Beacuse of the AS I expected a lot of difficulty as he is resistant to any change. However, he coped extremely well and the difference is amazing as I have said. Even their mood changes, as coeliac disease tends to cause depression in children too.

Thanks tiggi - and everyone else who responded to this thread. It causes no end of anxiety to have a fussy eater - and I speak as someone who has very few food issues and never thought I'd be the kind of parent to worry about food.

good luck with everything! as I sit here dd is sat next to me eating breakfast, crunchy nut cornflakes, in 2 bowls, one for the cornflakes and 1 for the milk, cos she doesn't like them soggy and a glass of orange juice

purepurple - we have to have milk jugs in our house. And there is about 10 seconds between being perfect and inedible (rollseyes)

Thanks very much for telling me about your dd - makes me feel my dd is not so 'abnormal' In fact I'm thinking it might be better to refer to 'food sensitivities' in front of her, rather than her hearing she's 'picky' or 'fussy' all the time.

I have to pour the milk onto DS5's Cocopops (one of the few cereals he is allowed as a coeliac) with him actually watching.

If I do it the second before he comes into the room he says it has been in there too long and it will be soggy! He will then absolutely refuse to eat it grr....