Allergy test for 2 yr old?

[Bug84]

My 2 year old DS has had sudden onset of what the gp thinks is eczema in the last couple of weeks. Bumpy red rash on his trunk, arms and now legs. Prescribed emollient and eumovate but it’s not shifting. In the last month he had an episode of hives one day after nursery and never got to the bottom of it. As a breastfed baby, he showed signs of ?dairy intolerance (poor weight gain, green poo) around 4 months so I cut dairy from my diet and symptoms improved. We did the milk ladder and he eats butter, cheese, food containing cows milk. But not milk as a drink and not really yoghurt, ice cream - he just doesn’t like it. We also have 2 cats for about 8/9 months. I feel like it must be an allergy / trigger of some kind. Any tips / advice on how to get further testing? The GP seemed very unbothered and I don’t want to use steroid cream indefinitely… thanks!

You can get at home intolerance kits fr less than £50. Gives you a starting point at least

Intolerances are not the same as allergies, and home intolerance tests are junk science.

@Bug84 As it's only been one incidence of hives (and hives in children is more likely to be viral than allergic) I wouldn't worry too much at this stage. Allergy testing isn't generally helpful for eczema.

If you are very worried, eg have a strong family history of serious allergies, and you have money to spare, you could see a consultant allergy doc/immunologist privately. Clinical history is key to identifying allergens, indiscriminate testing isn't usually helpful due to the prevalence of false positives. After a clinical history is taken, then tests (skin or blood) will be targeted at suspected allergens to help aid diagnosis.

Thank you. Been back to the gp this evening as nursery called me today to say it looked worse. Gp said keep going with the creams for another week or so.

A couple of pics of the worst bits, what do you think?

with steroids you can get stuck in a really nasty cycle and have withdrawals too which can be awful.

my 2 year old has allergies- hers are nuts but also certain children’s bath products and washing powder flare up her eczema.

we use epaderm from boots. It’s a moisturiser and it’s a godsend. It really helps with the dryness and itching and much better then steroids (they didn’t work for us either). it does help to clear it up however you need to know your child’s triggers so you can cut them out

I personally would cut out all dairy again for at least 2 weeks. If you start to see improvement then you’ll know it’s CMPA causing the eczema