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Original poster

oh my god my child is swelling!

242 replies

Boco · 15/05/2007 18:51

dd2 woke covered in a rash today, which was confirmed as a reaction to penicillin this morning at the doctors.

Throughout the day it's been getting worse, her whole body is now covered in freaky pink and white swellings. It seemed to be getting better a couple of hours ago, then suddenly her face ballooned and her lips swelled up.

Just did a mad dash to the out of hours doctor and got steroids - he said her throat isn't swelling and chest is clear, and steroids should make it go down, but to go to hospital if anything changes.

She looks so bizarre - no way i'll be getting much sleep tonight!

Anyone elses dcs had this? Do the steroids work quickly? Can i stop following her around staring at her and shrieking with horror?

OP posts:
tortoiseSHELL · 17/05/2007 10:01

Glad she's home Boco, but sorry she's still not right. I'm no doctor, but could you try things like calamine cream and also bicarbonate of soda in the bath - we use these for chickenpox, and they might just relieve the discomfort? But as I say, I'm no doctor, so check first! Hope she's better soon. Allergies are awful - my mum very nearly died of anaphylactic shock when I was a kid - she was unconscious within 1 min and her heart had stopped within 10! So she has an epipen now - has your dd been given anything like that?

foxinsocks · 17/05/2007 10:02

I didn't see how old she was.

You can get stronger antihistamines prescribed like phenergan (can get this over the counter but given her history, you better check with the GP that she's OK to have it).

It may knock her out but it should at least give her a break from the scratching.

oliveoil · 17/05/2007 10:07

do you have anyone at all nearby that can come round and help?

can dh come home from work?

Calamine cream worked wonders for dd2 when she has a rash (obv not as severe as you are describing)

I found the cream far better than the lotion.

Do you have to go back to the hospital for check ups?

3littlefrogs · 17/05/2007 10:08

I hate to give you something else to worry about, but piriton can cause serious constipation - it drys out the gut and the faeces can get large, solid and compacted. I know it seems like the least of your worries, but keep an eye on the situation and be prepared to give some movicol or similar if she hasn't "been" for a while.

An antihistamine cream or lotion such as used for mosquito bites might help, or perhaps an eczema preparation. I used to use a hydrocortizone cream (prescribed by GP) and apply it with aqueous cream to diute it and make it go further IYSWIM. This was on the advice of my GP and it helped when dd had really itchy eczema all over.

I hope she improves soon.

Chelseamum · 17/05/2007 10:11

Bocco,

I wish i could pop in and give you a bit of a break!All is very distressing but you are a very good mummy!

Also as soon as you are in doubt about the state of you dd take her to A&E!

A big hug over to you!

ps- i am allergic to mosquitos and everytime I get bitten I need to get an adrenalyne shot to make the swollen bits go down.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 17/05/2007 10:25

EURAX cream or lotion. Fantastic for itching or irritation. I used it on DD when she had chicken pox (she has eczma and allergies and calomine lotion dried her skin out too much).

Its fab stuff, and lasts for up to 10 hours at a time.

Original poster
Boco · 17/05/2007 10:31

It's Eurax that i'm using - also used it for chicken pox. She's covered in it. She's also a bit calmer now, watching cbeebies. Phew, the screaming is so upsetting.

No way dp would come home - he legged it!

We've got open access to the paediatric assessment unit so if she gets too hysterical i guess we'll try again.

OP posts:
VeniVidiVickiQV · 17/05/2007 10:33

Have you given her medised? Might help sedate her a bit and has an antihisthamine in it (different to piriton).

hatwoman · 17/05/2007 10:34

oh boco, you poor thing and poor dd. I hope so much it calms down soon. I'm not much use - no experience of this - but just wanted to acknowledge you.

oliveoil · 17/05/2007 10:35

is she eating and drinking ok?

foxinsocks · 17/05/2007 10:36

if you have to go back Boco, ask them for a stronger antihistamine - one that will help her sleep at night, poor thing.

Original poster
Boco · 17/05/2007 10:39

That's a good idea - do you think it's ok to take medised with piriton?

OP posts:
KerryMum · 17/05/2007 10:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 17/05/2007 10:44

Yes, in my limited and unprofessional experience!

Have done for DD before now - piriton and the antihisthamine in medised are of different types (Piriton is actually an old generation antihisthamine, and is apparently not as effective as, say, Zirtek syrup)

EnidTheInvisible · 17/05/2007 10:45

Boco where abouts do you live?

KerryMum · 17/05/2007 10:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GreebosWhiskers · 17/05/2007 10:51

Oh Boco, your poor dd - and poor you! I can't believe they sent her home again! I don't have any advice for you as my dd's reaction was luckily very mild (just a rash altho' it did last a few weeks) but it sounds like a lot of the others on here know their stuff (especially Kerrymum). Surely the hospital would heve been better getting someone who specialises in allergies to see her? And I can't believe your dp legged it - I think once things have calmed down a little it might be worth having words with him about that.

Original poster
Boco · 17/05/2007 11:08

Enid i live in suffolk, half way between norwich and ipswich.

To be fair dp had to go to work and is useless with screaming - he goes to his safe place which involved disappearing into a trance like state during any kind of mayhem.

I've called surgery and asked to speak to another doctor - see what she can suggest, if not, i will call the paediatric unit again.

She's starting to itch again and i cant' give her anything.

She's not eating, but she's had milk today. All she wants to do is breastfeed, but as she's 2, we'd cut it down to just bedtime and there isn't anymore milk which feels horrible for both of us.

OP posts:
oliveoil · 17/05/2007 11:11

I would phone THE HOSPITAL as like KM says there should be more staff in the daytime

also, you need to speak to them today or tomorrow imo as most do not work weekends (as I found out when dd2 was born at the w/end, no staff)

write down on a piece of paper everything in the history so you do not forget anything

is there anyone that can take you to hosp (you mention you do not drive), neighbour etc

EnidTheInvisible · 17/05/2007 11:12

boco you need help witht his

ring the health visitor/gp everyone you can

do you not have afried nearby who can come over and just be there?

fishie · 17/05/2007 11:12

people call ambulances for far less and i am sure that nobody would object to you calling one for a 2 year old in distress.

tortoiseSHELL · 17/05/2007 11:13

It doesn't sound like they're controlling the reaction, which imo is a very good reason for going back to the paediatric unit. And if nothing else it would give YOU chance to talk to the doctors first hand, even just for reassurance that this is ok. Really hope things improve quickly.

KerryMum · 17/05/2007 11:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EnidTheInvisible · 17/05/2007 11:15

go today boco

all the consultants will be off down to their country houses tomorrow

oliveoil · 17/05/2007 11:15

also you would be able to speak to the docs and maybe cover things that dh didn't

(my dh runs at stress/crying/trouble, doesn't mean he is rubbish, he usually comes back clear headed and with solutions)

I must go now, keep us updated.

xx