Allergies in 2 year old ~ really sore eye any suggestions PLEASE!!!!

[Cyndii]

My two-year-old son has a "sore" eye for nearly 2 months now. Finally the eye specialist says is an allergy ~ to what he doesn't know, maybe pollen. Put on strong steroid drops last Monday and “promised” this would work but now it's getting worse, today my child minder rings to tell me that she is really concerned. Rang specialist again, and we are to see him again first thing in the morning, this is our 4th trip to him. GOD I'm really at a low now. Feel so helpless, please give any advice.

Oh dear, how horrible. My two year old gets very swollen, red and sore eyes if we visit anyone with a cat. This allergy has developed this year, he was ok previously. There is also some very localised pollen that sets him off at night when we visit my mum on a very rural coast. However, both allergies are partially controllable with anti-histamine from the doctor. Have you tried anti-histamines? I had steroid eye drops once when my eyes had a very bad reaction to some fungus spores from pine trees, the drops cleared it up quickly, and I have had to be careful about walking in the rain amongst trees as the spores get washed off into my eyes! Will the eye specialist send you to an allergy specialist so that you can identify exactly what it is that causes the reaction? Good luck.

Oh dear, how horrible. Firstly, I think if the eye is much worse now than it was this morning, I would be tempted to go to A&E, or ask the out-of-hours doctor to come out, depending on how severe you think it is. Otherwise, the discomfort might be alleviated by an ice pack wrapped in a towel, and paracetamol until you can get back to the specialist. That's what I did when I had a very acute eye allergy. My two year old gets very swollen, red and sore eyes if we visit anyone with a cat. This allergy has developed this year, he was ok previously. There is also some very localised pollen that sets him off at night when we visit my mum on a very rural coast. However, both allergies are partially controllable with anti-histamine from the doctor. Have you tried anti-histamines? I had steroid eye drops once when my eyes had a very bad reaction to some fungus spores from pine trees, the drops cleared it up quickly, and I have had to be careful about walking in the rain amongst trees as the spores get washed off into my eyes! Will the eye specialist send you to an allergy specialist so that you can identify exactly what it is that causes the reaction? Good luck.

Thanks blu. We have tried anti-histamines, both orally & ones for the eye. Initially it was thought it was an infection, he was given anti-biotics and eye ointment, then we went back to the GP as it wasn't clearing up and there was a locum, again he was prescribed more anti-biotics & this time eye drops. Tried a homeopathic route, prescribed, drops, tonic & Vitamin B. No Joy there so back again to the GP sent to Paediatric to see the doctors, back to the original eye drops. Now the specialist rang the main eye & ear hospital in Dublin and was told to wait and see this guy tomorrow. Feel so helpless for him, he can't even stand to the sunlight, hurts his eyes. He looks like he has done 12 rounds with Tyson but is without the bruising!! Fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Hope it goes well tomorrow. Have you tried putting some teaspoons in the fridge to go cold? Then you can hold them against the eyes gently for some temporary relief.

Oh Cyndii, the poor little mite. You must be in agony for him. I remember when my eyes swelled like that, I couldn't even eat without discomfort because the act of chewing moves the muscles round your eyelids. Maybe give him lots of slippery solids. I do remember the ice helping tho'. I hope he can get some rest tonight, and GOOD LUCK tomorrow, I really hope they find an answer and quick, the worry must be tearing you apart. Let us know how you get on.

Thanks for your thoughts. Today he was seen again by the specialist and he called in a peadiatrician to see as well. So we have to continue with the steroid eye drops, oral steroids for 3/7, anit-histamine and go back on Tues. So fingers crossed for a good weekend for my little boy!

Just a thought Cyndii, I used to get very sore eyes until someone told me it was the air con in my car. If you direct it into your face it can cause eye infections, dryness and soreness. Do you have air con in the car? Since I stopped I have had no eye probs at all!

SamboM thank you! I have been going round looking like an elderly lizard for 2 weeks now with papery skin round my eyes.

Definitely the car air conditioning! Will stop immediately.

Good idea about the air condt. Will definitely try that. Saw another eye specialist yesterday, feel very reassured with her. He is to have allergy testing & bloods to be taken, I did suggest this to the previous doc but he had "no faith" in it so I booked him in privately. But is now to have in the hospital. Tomorrow he is going to Dublin and will have an eye examination under aesthetic, poor little guy, but I really feel that something is being done for him!