Help!! Allergic reaction???

[Pigallina]

Have just started introducing some solids to my 21 week old this week, so today instead of baby rice we tried cow and gate banana porridge. Used his usual baby wipe to wipe his hands and face and He's come out in a bright red rash everywhere the food has touched - all around his mouth and down his chin, he got his hand in it and has a red rash and bumps on his hand, then where he's touched his head and rubbed his eye - all red. Have rinsed his face with lukewarm water and now about 15 mins later redness all gone but still some wee bumps on his chin. He seems fine, but his skin went quite warm. Could this be an allergic reaction to the porridge? Or banana?? Should I call nhs24 even though it's gone? Have used the same type of water wipes for months now so don't really think it was the wipe. Aaah! Got a bit of a fright

If he is fully ok now I would make an appointment with your GP tomorrow and ask to be referred to the consultant allergist at your local hospital. Its most certainly an allergic reaction to something in the porridge (there are a number of potential allergens in it - milk, soy, banana etc).

He might also have diarrhoea and vomit - the body reacts in different ways, so just keep an eye on him for next 24hrs. We found out about our boys allergies at 13 months and it is scary, but you do adapt / manage. It may be a one off, but do push for the consultant to do at least a skin patch test and ask for an epipen whilst you try other foods to be on the safe side. Put some calamine and glycerine cream (boots) on any remaining bumps - this will help them clear quickly.

I'd advise no new foods until you see a consultant. He will be ok, my son is 5 now and we manage his severe allergies without any impact on him. Have a tea or coffee, after you have phoned for a GP appointment.

Before 26 weeks I would just stick with plain fruit and veg purée plus baby rice, as these are very unlikely to cause a reaction.

It could just be a contact dermatitis caused by the food, rather than a full blown allergic reaction. Particularly if there are no other symptoms. I would agree that a trip to the GP would be wise just to check to see nothing else is going on.

My daughter had that exact reaction to that exact porridge when I gave it to her at 6 months when we started weaning. I too was alarmed. There is cows milk in the porridge, and the gp has since confirmed she has a cows milk protein allergy. Don't panic though, just avoid anything with milk and arrange kg speak to your gp, who can prescribe special formula (nutramigen) if necessary, and hopefully give you some more advice.