Nut allergies in older children

[christywhisty]

My son is 11 and had his first reactions at around 4 and half. He is allergic to peanuts, all treenuts, seseme seeds and sunflower seeds. Doctor first told me to avoid nuts, but after seeing School HV when he started school and speaking to Allergy UK, I insisted on being refered. We saw Mr Pollack (think that was his name) at Chase Farm who did blood tests.
Blood tests confirmed peanut allergy and tree nut allergy.
At the time they said borderline for epipen, up to us whether to take it or not. Decided at the time no.
We have seen another peadiatrician as son has febrile convulsions long after normal (last one at 10 and half) and was suffering headaches. Turned out to be chronic sinusitis probably caused by allergic rhinitis.

Paeditritian mentioned that the management of allergies had changed in recent years. Also if asthma is involved then epipens are prescribed.
At the time he did not have asthma, but a few weeks later he had an asthma attack. We think he has viral induced asthma.

Mentioned about allergies to asthma nurse but she had never heard this before. He has had one further attack this year again we think viral induced.

Also friends son has egg and nut allergy and is being retested at 12 to see if he has outgrown nut allergy. She was also told if there is foaming at the mouth then the child should have an epipen.

Son's reaction to hazlenuts is a mouth full of saliva and then he is sick.

He will be starting senior school in September a huge difference to the little school he is at now where everyone knows him.Also I think teenage years are the most dangerous years for children with nut allergies.

Do I insist son is referred again , to be retested and see whether he needs an epipen. Do I need to go through the doctor again or can I approach the hospital directly?

[Chandra]

YES, I think you should. TBH I never heard of the foaming, but I'm well aware that reactions can differ from child to child. We have an epipen even when DS has never had an anaphylactic reaction ,but his results were so high that the doctor even rung up home to ask us to stop him eating certain things immediatly. Epipens were prescribed afterwards.

[winterpimms]

I would definitely want him to have epipens. As far as I understood, there is no real way of knowing how a person will react.

The paed allergist my ds is under says the same thing "teenage years are the most dangerous". My ds is 10 and she asked that he has some more skin prick tests at 13. Not because she thinks he will have grown out of his nut allergies but to reinforce to him that he is allergic. They need reminding!!!

You could try getting an appt directly with the hosp. if you are already on their books. They may tell you to go to GP first.

Hope you get on ok. My ds starts secondary school in Sept. as well. It is a worry

Good luck xx

[tatt]

definitely get him retested and it sound like you should have an epipen. Nut allergies are unpredictable and I'm afraid they can get worse as the child gets older. Those with asthma are more at risk.

There are few disadvantages to having epipens (insurance cover for holidays and other people's reactions) but if you ever need to use one you will be very relieved you had it.

can't speak for your hospital but when I rang ours they said after a year you need a new referral. As your gp probably won't know the best place to send you it doesn't do any harm to check with the hospital which doctor sees children now.