Paediatric allergist

27/03/2011 by spindlygiraffe.

This week we had 2 appointments.  The first with the dermatology nurse.  Even she said we seemed to be getting nowhere, especially with his face.  Panda eyes and a clown’s mouth.  Back on the elocon, the leggings and long vests at night but maybe not one over his face!  I think she was surprised that they did them.  I think it would really help my son, but would be horrendous for him and for us putting it on.  As it is, he loves his new outfit and can wear short pj’s over them.  He loves short sleeves so this has made his day - we say he looks like a footballer too, so he is chuffed.  She also has booked to see him in another month after results from the allergist.  She is great but so overbooked.  Our last appointment had been postponed, this one has been double booked for her…….

James does not really like the stinging cream, but he had even been saying the epaderm hurt.  The dermatology nurse agreed that anything touching would hurt.  He has got a high pain threshold but I guess having it as in infant makes you a bit immune to regular pain.  The elocon that night was horrendous.  I knew I could not do it myself and waited for my husband.  It is so distressing seeing him in so much pain- no pain no gain -it doesn’t really help.  I hate it, all I can do is cuddle him tightly and not cry myself.

We did not really know what to expect from the paediatric allergist.  He had come off his Atarax antihistamine beforehand.  He had been waking up scratching etc.  That has since stopped again.  At the train station we bought our tickets and the man was friendly but made the usual comment ‘Oh, that looks nasty, what have you done to your mouth?’.  He was a lovely man, meant no harm, but makes you want to weep.  James just looks at me, with a, ‘What is he talking about, I have not done anything to my mouth’ face.  For him it is life.  (In pre-school they did about differences and he told me about one of the leaders having a red face - pot-kettle!)

The allergist was so friendly.  He suggests we do see a paediatric dermatologist; unfortunately they are very thin on the ground.  We will see……. He also prescribed steroid tablets and to try protopic (again, tried it previously twice, but weaker dose).  Bearing in mind he had been using the elocon, to still be prescribed this, it shows how severe it has been.  As a child my dermatologist used to suggest bringing me in for a hospital stay, Mum never went for this as I was in so often with asthma, but I never took the steroids for eczema.  Although they did help my skin post asthma attacks!

James has only had steroids once before for his breathing.  He took them fine then.  Unfortunately, this time, I forgot to warn him about the taste.  They are soluble and he spat it out immediately!  My husband was in the bathroom where we were and he shouted at him.  James is such a good wee boy that he was distraught.  I was left with a sobbing child and half a syringe of medicine that he hates.  Finally he calmed down enough for me to try again.  This time, chocolate button in first (dairy free!) followed by medicine and another button.  I thought he was going to be sick.  He wasn’t.  I’m so proud of him.  It has worked since and tonight he came looking for the medicine (although perhaps it was more the buttons he wanted).

So the allergy testing.  Tested him for pretty much everything.  Allergist predicted it was not going to be food as he has no problems with his bowels and often if it is bad on the outside, it is bad on the inside too.  James is due to get grommets in (again) and his adenoids out in 2 weeks time, so the allergist suspected it might be more an inhaled allergen - dust.  Well that is kind of to be expected.

Results came back, slight reactions to egg and milk and all the rest were clear.  That means we have not been feeding him evil foods.  It is also not my lack of dusting that has caused it! (Phew!).  It could be seen as a negative that they did not discover the allergen.  That would have been useful, but potentially restrictive.  Now I can stop analysing everything he puts in his mouth.  Stop thinking, oh it could be the bread, fruit pastilles, tomatoes……. believe me - I had considered it all.

So as a Mum I found my experience really useful.  It has not necessarily helped his skin (apart from the steroids obviously) but has made his diet much easier.  I’m not so fretful so that must be good for him.

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