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GeraldineMumsnet · 13/11/2008 12:22
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.
GeraldineMumsnet · 18/11/2008 12:38
Hello, Dr Fox's just getting settled in and looking through your questions, so we'll get going in about 10 minutes. He's prepared some answers to quite a few of the questions that you've already posted.
GeraldineMumsnet · 18/11/2008 13:39
Five-minute warning - Dr Fox has to leave at 1.45pm to get back to work. Think you'll agree he's answered tons of questions and we're very grateful to him for coming on
GeraldineMumsnet · 18/11/2008 13:56
as promised, I'll add a few more answers that Dr Fox answered beforehand
GeraldineMumsnet · 18/11/2008 13:57
Dear MeMySonAndI ? unfortunately for the moment, avoidance is the mainstay of treatment although hopefully things will change. A couple of things spring to mind ? it is unusual (but not impossible) to be truly allergic to so many foods as you are describing. What worries me is that it sounds like the diagnoses are all based on allergy tests (skin prick and blood tests). These tests are sometimes overinterpreted and every positive test considered to represent a true allergy leading to avoidance. A low positive test often doesn?t mean you are really allergic and the tests MUST be interpreted together with a detailed clinical history. I see loads of kids avoiding foods unnecessarily because of this and I would encourage you to ensure your son is assessed by a doctor experienced at managing multiple food allergy (apologies if you are already). Also, it is essential to get advice from a paediatric dietician as even in multiple food allergy, with good advice a complete, nutricious diet can be obtained (albeit with a lot of hard work)
Dear ladyjuliafish ? these are 2 exciting projects (Addenbrooke?s have a study looking at desensitising kids with peanut allergy and Mt Sinai are looking at allergy prevention and treatment using a Chinese herbal formula) and I strongly suspect that desensitisation will soon become a real option in food allergy although trials are still in the early stage. It is essential that the desensitisation is shown to be safe before it is rolled out and thus far bigger studies (which take time) will be required plus also evidence as to whether children are being desensitised (and will react again once the daily peanut dose is stopped) or if there is true tolerance induction (ie they remain allergy free once they stop daily peanut) ? this will take time. As for the Chinese herbal formulae ? most work has been on mice and to be honest until the active ingredient is clearly identified it won't get licenced for widespread use in kids. Young kids with peanut allergy have a 20% chance of outgrowing the allergy ? this is higher if they have few other allergic problems and higher still if their initial allergy test was small (yours was middling). Unfortunately there is no suggestion that probiotics (or currently anything else for that matter) would help. What you do during pregnancy (ie avoid nuts or not) has never been should to make any difference.
GeraldineMumsnet · 18/11/2008 13:59
Dear littleted - It?s possible but unlikely and a food allergy is to be honest very unlikely. However, as you suspect, you need a doctor to have a good look at the rash to make a diagnosis ? I would go for your GP followed by a dermatologist if required rather than an allergist.
GeraldineMumsnet · 18/11/2008 14:01
and finally....
Thanks KatyMac. No, I wouldn?t worry ? obviously let potential customer know it?s there but if kids are wondering around your garden putting things in their mouths, I would be more worried about choking than undiagnosed nut allergies. The list of food is also a bit bizarre especially as strawberries are a very rare cause of allergy. Reactions can occur the second or third time you eat the food so the advice seems a bit silly. It would be far better if you know how to manage a reaction were it to occur and are thus covered for any eventuality.
GeraldineMumsnet · 18/11/2008 14:02
rootie2 - will ask Dr Fox, but can't promise obviously. Thanks to everyone who posted questions and joined in the chat.
GeraldineMumsnet · 19/11/2008 09:07
Hello, Adam emailed me answers to some more of your questions at gone midnight last night. I'll post them here shortly.
GeraldineMumsnet · 19/11/2008 09:15
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
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