BabyWhispererForums.com
EAT => Food Allergies => Topic started by: Scarladoodle on January 04, 2008, 16:43:28 pm
-
I was curious to know if anyone has experienced anything similar to this. My 7 mo. old DD had some kind of violent reaction last night - but I have no idea what it was. She was playing with her toys on the floor and very suddenly started crying/coughing. At first, it appeared as if she was choking on something. DH started doing infant Heimlich but nothing came up. Mucus started shooting out of her nose and she started drooling excessively. Her face got incredibly swollen on the right hand side, to the point where her right eye was almost swollen shut. She had little red spots on her forehead, but no rash elsewhere. Eventually the coughing subsided, but was replaced with extreme drowsiness. At this time, DH was home alone with her. He was telling all this to me over my cell phone because I was stuck in traffic getting home from work (can you imagine my panic!?!). DH didn't bring her to the emergency room b/c he was scared that if she was choking she might stop breathing while he was on his way and then he wouldn't be able to get to her in her carseat. When I got home finally, she was not herself. The attack had passed but she was clingy and drowsy. We called her ped. who thought that she had probably swallowed something and had been choking...but I vacuumed a day prior so I don't know what it could have been (maybe a tiny needle from our Christmas tree?). She hadn't eaten anything for about 3 hours. She was playing in her normal spot, on the normal rug, near our normal dog. After we got off the phone with her ped. she vomited. It was only once, but it was a lot. Then, about an hour later, she had a somewhat loose bowel movement. Doesn't it appear that she has had some type of allergic reaction? What should my next steps be? Obviously I don't want it to happen again - but that's tough to do when I have no idea what happened! Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
-
It sounds like an allergic reaction to me and the symtoms definately do not sound like it was mild. I would insist that her ped refered her for allergy tests. It could be a delayed reaction to food or it could have been something in the enviroment, either way it needs to be taken seriously by her ped in my opinion. James has had similar reactions but not with as much swelling and he does not vomit, he does get yucky nappies that are loose and have lots of mucous in them.
Kelly
-
totally agree with kelly.your lo really needs some testing.
hope she is ok now.
-
I think I would be calling for a second opinion or at least taking her into the hospital to have her checked over. Your poor little one...you all must have been so scared.
How is she doing now?
-
Gosh...I just called her ped again to get a second opinion and they immediately wanted to know who we had spoken to last night b/c they believe whoever it was incorrectly evaluated dd's symptoms. (We spoke with the emergency "on-call" responder initially - not her regular ped). They scheduled an emergency allergy test with a specialist for Scarlett (dd). They beleive she had an especially severe reaction to something. She's only seven months so it was about as bad a reaction as a baby her age can have. I can not thank you all enough for your suggestions. Something didn't seem right about what happened last night, which is why I posted here. You all confirmed that something was indeed not right. Otherwise I might not have called at all! She's fine now, thanks for asking. But it certainly was scary for all of us!
-
Yes, that sounds like severe allergic reaction, wgich is called anaphylaxis. Jennifer had that a few weeks ago, sounds pretty much the same, no choking though, although I don't know if it was the antihistamine that made her drowsy or the reaction.
If she comes in contact with the same thing again the reaction is more likely to me severe.
If she shows those signs, please phone an ambulance right away, don't drive her to the hospital yourself, it's an ambulance and probably a helicopter you may need.
Did you cook fish or something with peanuts a while before? here may have been some residues on toys or something. Do you have a natural Christmas Tree? I'd take that down right away.
It's also important that you find out pretty much immediately what she is allergic to, better not skin prick but with a blood test, so you did the right thing
Hugs, it must be so scary :'(
-
Here some info:
Anaphylaxis - the basic facts
What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction - the extreme end of the allergic spectrum. The whole body is affected, often within minutes of exposure to the allergen but sometimes after hours. Peanut allergy and nut allergy are frequently severe and for that reason have received widespread publicity. Causes of anaphylaxis also include other foods, insect stings, latex and drugs, but on rare occasions there may be no obvious trigger.
What are the symptoms?
* generalised flushing of the skin
* nettle rash (hives) anywhere on the body
* sense of impending doom
* swelling of throat and mouth
* difficulty in swallowing or speaking
* alterations in heart rate
* severe asthma
* abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
* sudden feeling of weakness (drop in blood pressure)
* collapse and unconsciousness
Nobody would necessarily experience all of these symptoms.
Mild allergy symptoms
Some people find that the allergy symptoms they experience are always mild. For example, there may be a tingling or itching in the mouth, or a localised rash - nothing more. This is not serious in itself, and may be treated with oral antihistamines. However, in some cases the allergy may become worse over time. It is wise in all cases to make an appointment with the doctor and seek a referral to a specialist allergy clinic.
If there is marked difficulty in breathing or swallowing, and/or a sudden weakness or floppiness, regard these as serious symptoms requiring immediate treatment.
What is the treatment for a severe reaction?
Pre-loaded adrenaline injection kits are available on prescription for those believed to be at risk. These are available in two strengths - adult and junior.
The injection must be given, as directed, as soon as a serious reaction is suspected and an ambulance must be called. If there is no improvement in 5-10 minutes, give a second injection.
Why does anaphylaxis occur?
Any allergic reaction, including the most extreme form, anaphylactic shock, occurs because the body's immune system reacts inappropriately in response to the presence of a substance that it wrongly perceives as a threat.
What exactly is going on?
An anaphylactic reaction is caused by the sudden release of chemical substances, including histamine, from cells in the blood and tissues where they are stored. The release is triggered by the reaction between the allergic antibody (IgE) with the substance (allergen) causing the anaphylactic reaction. This mechanism is so sensitive that minute quantities of the allergen can cause a reaction. The released chemicals act on blood vessels to cause the swelling in the mouth and anywhere on the skin. There is a fall in blood pressure and, in asthmatics, the effect is mainly on the lungs.
Why does adrenaline work?
During anaphylaxis, blood vessels leak, bronchial tissues swell and blood pressure drops, causing choking and collapse. Adrenaline (epinephrine) acts quickly to constrict blood vessels, relax smooth muscles in the lungs to improve breathing, stimulate the heartbeat and help to stop swelling around the face and lips (angioedema).
How do I know if I am at risk from anaphylaxis?
If you have suffered a bad allergic reaction in the past – whatever the cause – then any future reaction is also likely to be severe. If you have suffered a significant reaction to a tiny dose, or have reacted on skin contact, this might also be a sign that a larger dose may trigger a severe reaction. If you have asthma as well as allergies, a referral is particularly important because asthma can put you in a higher risk category. Where foods such as nuts, seeds, shellfish and fish are concerned, even mild symptoms should not be ignored because future reactions may be severe. For a list of NHS allergy clinics, GPs can refer to the website of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology: www.bsaci.org
What are the most common causes of anaphylaxis?
Common causes include foods such as peanuts, tree nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, cashews, Brazils), sesame, fish, shellfish, dairy products and eggs. Non-food causes include wasp or bee stings, natural latex (rubber), penicillin or any other drug or injection. In some people, exercise can trigger a severe reaction - either on its own or in combination with other factors such as food or drugs (e.g. aspirin).
Fresh fruit allergy may occur in people who are allergic to pollen. This is frequently mild, but a doctor's advice should be sought.
What will an allergy specialist do?
There is no perfect way to measure an individual's potential for a severe allergic reaction, but, in making a diagnosis, an allergy consultant can do several things that will provide clues. Most importantly, the specialist will take a detailed history of previous reactions and other allergic conditions you may have. Valuable information can also be provided by means of skin prick tests and blood tests (R.A.S.T. or CAP assay).
How can I avoid problems?
* Minimise the risk by taking great care and being vigilant. If you are food allergic, read labels like Sherlock Holmes: look for the "hidden" allergen. You can easily recognise a packet of peanuts but may miss the word "groundnuts" in tiny print on the side of a tin of curry sauce, or the Latin term arachis used to signify the presence of peanut in pharmaceutical products.
* If you are food-allergic, be assertive about asking for detailed information from manufacturers and supermarket staff.
* Be particularly careful in restaurants, where proprietors are under no obligation to list ingredients. Question staff very directly. It may be necessary to speak with a senior manager. Some restaurants have ingredient lists available for you to check. You may wish to telephone the restaurant in advance to ensure your allergy is taken seriously.
* Be alert to all symptoms and take them seriously. Reach for the adrenaline (epinephrine) if you think you are beginning to show signs of a severe reaction. Do not wait until you are sure. Even if adrenaline is administered, you will still need to get to hospital as soon as possible. Someone must call an ambulance.
* Make sure others in your family know how to administer the adrenaline kit - and when. Do not be frightened of adrenaline. It is a well-understood drug. The dose you will administer has very few side effects, which will pass quickly in any case. However, if you have heart difficulties, discuss these with your doctor.
* Develop a crisis plan for how to handle an emergency. Get your allergist or GP to help. Have this written out for family and friends - put it on the bulletin board at home; carry one in your pocket. If a child is the person at risk, make sure his teachers and friends' parents have a copy - along with the adrenaline. Make sure everyone knows where the adrenaline is when you go out, or when you are at home.
* Wear a MedicAlert talisman (details: 020 7833 3034).
* Be open about your allergy problem with your family, friends and colleagues. It's easy to avoid a Thai, Chinese or Indian restaurant if everyone knows you are allergic to peanuts.
What should I do if I think I am having a serious reaction?
Follow your crisis plan. These are some key points:
* Is there a marked difficulty in breathing or swallowing? Is there sudden weakness or floppiness? Is there a steady deterioration? Any of these are signs of a serious reaction.
* Administer adrenaline (epinephrine) without delay if you believe the symptoms are serious, or becoming serious.
* Dial 999 or get someone else to do it.
anaphylaxis.org
-
I am so glad your dd is ok now and that she has been sceduled for emergency allergy tests. I am just glad it turned out ok. I hope you find what caused the reaction soon.
Kelly
-
Just saw this now. Big hugs and I'm glad they're trying to get to the bottom of it. Keep us posted.
-
Wow how terrifying. I'm glad she is ok, and I'm glad she is going to be seen.
Just a friendly Mumma reminder to DH - Calling 911 or whomever you call in your area to get an ambulance is always a good idea in situations such as these. They can almost always get to you quicker than you can get to emergency care (at least here in the US, I can't speak for other areas).
Hugs, let us know what comes of the testing.
-
Hi, I've just read your post and I know exactly how you feel as we experienced something similar with DS last week (see 'swollen lip' thread for details). It is extremely frightening as for us too it was a normal day doing normal everyday things and we can't figure out what caused the reaction. He hadn't eaten anything that day that he hasn't eaten before either.
Our ped suggests new toys?
We're going for allergy tests next week so at least we may have more of an idea then.
So glad your DD is ok, but I would suggest some tests too.
Lots of hugs and kisses to you all,
Lis and Nicholas
xxx
-
Scarlett has been scheduled for a prick test on her back this afternoon, it should have been sooner according to her ped. but the specialist's office was closed yesterday. Has anyone out there had this procedure done on their young infants (1 or under) and can offer any advice or suggestions? They are thinking that this is epi-pen allergies, and very severe. I feel awful (and embarrassed) that we didn't call 911 originally, but we thought she was choking on something so dh just jumped right into Heimlich. When the swelling started we called her ped. office and they incorrectly told us they thought she had choked on something and NOT to go to the hospital. Turns out the drowsiness Scarlett was experiencing was her body shutting down (gulp!). I love her ped. otherwise, but this was the first time I ever called the office with a question and they wound up giving me potentially lethal incorrect advice. Would anyone else consider this grounds for switching peds.? Keep in mind it wasn't her true ped. that I spoke to on the phone during the emergency.
-
If this were me, yes I'd switch. I can't imagine any medical professional be it a nurse or doctor being told the symptoms your DD had and not advising you call 911 or go to the hospital. That's unacceptable and as you described potentially lethal. They couldn't SEE her, it was irresponsible for them to make a determination over the phone on something so serious (BREATHING!!) The whole office should be on the same page and it shouldn't matter which doctor you speak to.
Of course that's just my opinion.
Don't feel awful or embarrassed about not calling 911. It's hard to know what to do - especially if your doctor is telling you all is fine. We are all learning, and now you know.
I hope the allergy testing goes well. Make sure they talk you through how to use the epi-pen and what to do so you know in an emergency. Big hugs to you.
-
hope the testing goes ok.
imo i would switch.i would have no trust in them anymore.
as for feeling awful about not calling the ambulance well dont.doctors we are told are the experts and to trust them.its not your fault.
hugs :)
-
ITA with Zoey. It's good that you like your Ped but you need to trust/be comfortable with others at the office as well. So unless they are going to change their emergency/covering doctor, I'd change.
Keep in mind that allergy testing under the age of 2 can be unreliable. However, it SHOULD still show an anaphylactic allergy. Are they doing the RAST (blood) test too or just the SPT? If it were me I think I'd ask for both to be sure...
Big hugs - you are a GREAT mommy for trying to figure this out. Keep us posted.
-
I would switch, too. I mean like 20 BW mums guessed right but the ped didn't???
It was so obvious from what you wrote as well :-\
More hugs and don't be embarrassed, a stupid ped isn't your fault!
-
I totally agree with everybody else. The ped should not have given that advice when he could not see your dd and therefore should have advised you call an ambulance in my opinion. I would definately change ped as you need to be able to trust them and I don't think I would be able to after this event. I am glad your dd is getting the tests she needs now though and an epi is being given.
Kelly
-
Kelly, you are right. Any choking, swelling in the mouth area, etc requires and ambulance, why did he say don't go to the hospital ???
-
After enduring some pretty severe testing, the specialist we saw determined that Scarlett is not allergic to any of the common allergens, food or airborn. They do not deny that she suffered from anaphylaxis but I guess a certain percentage of these attacks occur with undetermined reasons...how scary?! At least now I know that she isn't allergic to anything (yet anyways), but I have no idea how to prevent this type of attack from happening again. She is fine though (poor baby girl). They want to see her again in a month to reevaluate her. I will now just have to live in perpetual fear of that happening again! :-\ Thank you all for your help and advice!
-
hugs hon.
at least now you know what is happening and can call 911.
-
Well geesh! Know what I would do? Talk to your new pedi ;) about getting an epi-pen or the use of benadry IF this should ever happen again - this way you won't feel helpless and that may help to calm your perpetual fear. I would be fearful as well, though the chances of it happening again are probably slim.
Love and hugs to you and your DD, you both are troopers!
-
Just wanted to send along big hugs!
-
I'm so sorry you and your dd are going through this it isn't much fun. I'm sad to say I speak from experience. I have idiopathic anaphylaxis....basically means allergy of unknown origin. I have had a lot of allergy testing and I do have some allergies to things like cats and mold but nothing they can pinpoint as to causing sever reactions. I had a bad reaction last year and ended up in hospital. It is very scary because I'm sorta helpless in stopping it from happening again.If you don't know what causes it how do avoid it??
I'm glad your dd had testing done and I hope it never happens again!!
Hugs
Kim
-
Sending lots of hugs. Would definately as about an epi, especially as the cause of the ana reaction is unknown therefore you don't know what to avoid.
Kelly
-
She will be allergic to something, they just haven't found what it was. Also, maybe get a referral to a specialist?
HUGS!
-
Like others have said, even if they haven't found the source of the reaction, you should at least have an epi-pen with you at home and in your diaper bag. Our pediatrician wrote a prescription for one for us just in case since Lucy was allergic to milk and her reaction was quite dramatic. She didn't think we'd need to use it, but said it wouldn't hurt to have it. And as others have stated, once you get the epi-pen, learn how to use it. You don't want to be fumbling about with the directions during an emergency situation. Again, this was my pediatrician's advice.