Childhood allergies - help needed

[dasherdiablo1]

A bit of background history; I have asthma and as a result get mild allergies occasionally; I have it since I was a baby and am now considerably older.

Current situation:- my daughter is approaching 18months and has had a string of coughs; wheezes; running / blocked nose for the last 4months and has what is classed as mild baby eczema on her arms and legs from time to time - more like dry skin than a rash. We have taken her to the doctors on numerous occasions but she remains the same on and off. We have three cats and two dogs and she spends a lot of times round the cats. I am obviously concerned this may be the cause but the doctors have said she is to young to diagnose with an allergy - I can't believe this.

My wife thinks I am using it as an excuse to get rid of the cats - which tbh I'd love to! Any suggestiong it could be the cats results in an argument. To be fair I have suggested putting the cats in a cattery for two weeks and deep cleaning the house to remove any cat hair/dust to see if it helps. A point to note is my mum and dad have been over twice in the last month and his eyes have swollen up with a reaction to what he believes is the cats because they came to him for attention which they have not previously done.

So I'm after a bit of experience from fellow PHers who know about allergies through profession or experience with their own kids.

Thanks in advance,
D

[dai1983]

What dogs are they? I'd try putting the dogs in kennels too if you are putting the cats away. May give you bargaining powers with the wife too. I was allergic to cats, certain dogs and rabbits. When I met my mrs if her cat came near me I would react to it. When that started I used to take antihistamines and Ive seemed to have built up a resistance to his evil powers.

We now have a husky which my wife is allergic to but he doesn't bother me. Before the dog came our son had allergy type symptoms which we found out was an intolerance to milk protein. We had tests carried out to determine if he was extremely allergic to anything and nothing came back positive. Like you I was hoping the cat could shoulder some blame but unfortunately he's gonna be around for another 10 years!

Edited by dai1983 on Saturday 8th February 09:00

[harry010]

Not dogs and cats but my son was diagnosed with an egg and nut allergy at 9 months and I've seen babies as young as 10 days at the allergy clinic we take him too so I'd get a second opinion.

[darty]

I have had a number of allergies from when I was a child including mild nut allergies, oral allergy syndrome (OAS) and acute hayfever. I underwent a 3 year immunotherapy programme provided by the nhs at the London chest hospital. This a programme of increased exposure to the allergen in a controlled environment. There were others being treated for bee stings, peanuts etc but i don't recall animal allergies. Most of the patients were adults but the programmes may be open to children. I would suggest you speak to your gp about immunotherapy as my symptoms have been much more controlled and less aggressive since receiving treatment. If you want to pm me I can provide you with the consultant contact details.

Good luck

Darty

[whoami]

harry010 said:

Not dogs and cats but my son was diagnosed with an egg and nut allergy at 9 months and I've seen babies as young as 10 days at the allergy clinic we take him too so I'd get a second opinion.

What were the symptoms?

[hman]

my wife is a paediatric dietitian and specialises in allergies - www.littlebitesdiet.co.uk

feel free to contact.

[harry010]

whoami said:

[
quote=harry010]Not dogs and cats but my son was diagnosed with an egg and nut allergy at 9 months and I've seen babies as young as 10 days at the allergy clinic we take him too so I'd get a second opinion.

What were the symptoms?

He gets red and swollen all over with huge welts everywhere. He also projectile vomits and it's an ambulance job if he has a reaction.

[hman]

skin prick test will show this. pm me if you like