Webchat with consultant paediatric allergist Dr Adam Fox, Tues 18 Nov, 12.45pm

[GeraldineMumsnet]

We're delighted that top children's allergist Dr Adam Fox has agreed to come on to Mumsnet to answer queries about all things allergic. Please post any advance questions here, particularly if you're not able to make it on the day.

[lulumama]

thanks memyson, no he has not had any testing at all. after the intial episode of his reaction at aged 2, he was diagnosed with a peanut allergy, prescribed piriton and epipen and that was it really, we asked for a referral when he was 5 after several episodes of odd rashes and incredibly itchy skin where he would scratch himself until he was bloody. the professor we saw said that testing was not worthwhile until around aged 10. so we have left it . i was also interested in whether DD should be tested, or we presume that she is not allergic based on one taste of peanut butter not giving reaction. or she might be allergic to other nuts. not sure what to do really. but it is easy to keep them away from nuts so i don;t get too stressed, not like having to exclude wheat or egg which must be so hard

[DarrellRivers]

In case AF comes back and reads this
I remember, husband reminded me you were friends with Richard Millard
I can picture you both in the Windeyer

[popsycal]

geraldinemumsnet
is there anyway you can get drfox to verify the following response:

By DrAdamFox on Tue 18-Nov-08 13:24:02
.......The theory is that early weaning may well help prevent food allergy but this needs to be looked at in a study. Our current advice is to follow the WHO ie ideally 6 months exclusive but the studies on kids at high risk of allergy show increased problems only if solids are started pre 17 weeks.

.......The theory is that early weaning may well help prevent food allergy but this needs to be looked at in a study.

I think he means the opposite......
or have i read it wrong

[trixymalixy]

Thanks hoochiemomma, must have missed that!

[Heathcliffscathy]

i think he probably meant what he said popsy....to add confusion to the mix of guilt and fear!

[popsycal]

I am confused lol - would like it clarified as to what he meant

[thatsnotmymonster]

popsycal I think he meant exactly that. If a child is introduced to foods between 17 and 26 wks (i.e. early) it may well help to prevent allergies however it is not proven yet. If they are weaned before 17 wks the risk of developing allergies is higher.

[thatsnotmymonster]

Also for BEENY and 10KRUNNER

My 2.4yr old dd1 had a constant runny nose from when she was a few months old- often it would be really green/yellow.

About 4 months ago I started cutting milk out of her diet (she has soya now but I still let her have some cheese) because of her chronic constipation (she was on Movicol daily for this).

Within 2 weeks of substituting her milk for soya she no longer needed her medication for her constipation and I must stress that this had been a heart braking battle since she was tiny- she would scream, cry and shake and refuse all physical contact when trying to poo.

My point is, that shortly after this we noticed that she no longer had a runny nose and the dry skin on her back and chest had also cleared up.

The reason it took so long to work out is because constipation is not usually linked to milk allergy, however there is a study which proves that in some children it is.

[GeraldineMumsnet]

Hello, Adam emailed me answers to some more of your questions at gone midnight last night. I'll post them here shortly.

[GeraldineMumsnet]

Dear Sophable, popsycal, trixymalixy - just wanted to clarify any confusion caused by what i wrote about weaning. Current best evidence suggest exclusive breast feeding upto 4 months protects against allergic disease. Of course, prevention of allergic disease is not the only reason to breastfeed and many other benefits have informed the WHO advice to advocate exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months. It would, however, be inaccurate to claim that exclusive breast feeding beyond 4 months has been shown to help prevent allergies. There is also evidence to suggest that early introduction of solids (prior to 17 weeks) is associated with higher risk of allergies but this is not based on cast iron data, just the best available. There is mounting evidence that early oral exposure (ie

[popsycal]

Thank you for clarifying your point which such a full answer. I shall continue with exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months until anything definite is proven given that you advice concurs with current best advice.

Many thanks for such a lengthy response

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Aww he's very lovely

[lulumama]

thank you Dr Fox for answering my question, I will ask my GP for a referral for them both ASAP. great, thank you

[cariboo]

Thank you, Dr Fox. My own allergist said same but I wondered if there had been any new developments.

[orangehead]

Wondering if it is cheeky to ask if my question was looked at?

[ACL]

Ditto.

Many thanks