Our visit to an allergist presented more questions than answers - isn't this the running theme of my medical appointment experience of late?
Apparently, even though blood tests have revealed that Miss E is allergic to milk and egg whites, the allergy doctor claims that she is not allergic enough to cause these hives and rashes she's been having for over a month.
His answer? The universal, catch all explanation for absolutely everything!
"It's probably a virus"
Yes, it may well be, but how unsatisfactory it is to have that explanation presented every.time.our.kids.are.sick?
The Allergist did acknowledge that she still could be allergic to something, and that we may never know the cause. I was bracing myself for him recommending testing to discover what - but am very grateful that he didn't.
Miss E is taking an antihistamine medicine and will be for a month, and she's on a five day steroid course (yikes!) to help calm her immune system down and see if we can get the hives to disappear. I hope they work.
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Annie
14 comments:
Good God Annie left with more questions. Just what you need. Poor little thing. Hope the meds work!
Hang on in there.
Are you interested in trying some kind of 'alternative' route? What about homeopathy? Just a suggestion - not everyone's choice, I know. It's just that homeopathy tries to treat the underlying cause, rather than the symptoms, which for something like immune reaction or allergies, makes enormous sense.
Or how about waiting a month, seeing if the meds work, and if they don't, giving something else a try.
I'm totally up for homeopathy - we'll see how she goes with these meds - at this point I just want her to feel comfortable - but I have to say I did feel weird that we are treating the symptoms - and what happens when we stop the meds and they come back? I'd rather treat the cause - but finding out what that is I'm told can be a rather long, frustrating and often fruitless exercise.
sorry to hear you have more q's than a's. one thing i know is some of the steriods make kids crazy. just be on the lookout for that. sorry not to be an annoying assvice giver.
Feener - ha ha! I figured this out the hard way! Guess which dumbo gave said steroids to her daughter not long before bedtime!
A virus can cause hives? I didn't know that - I also didn't know there was such a thing as not being allergic enough. How incredibly frustrating this must be for you.
-andi
SO frustrating!! I hope you find success with the medication. Hang in there!!
Jane, Pinks & Blues
Ugh, how frustrating!
My kids always get a hive-like rash following a fever or as a weird virus symptom, but you'd thing the hives would have gone away by now.
Hope she is feeling better soon and hope you get some answers!
i agree with iota--give her the meds to make her feel better, and then when the hives are gone you can try homeopathy.
I don't know about the South, but up here in WA tree pollens are making hundreds of us miserable. I have a hive/rash on my face, congestion, runny nose, sinus headache and coughing. Now these are natural environmental pollens. When it comes ot forrd allergy blood testing the most common culprits are dairy, wheat & gluten. MY AP teacher is a naturopath who believes in this seriously. Me...I give it creedence but do not believe it's the only answer.
Best of luck figuring it all out.
Before I tell you this know that I hated hearing it when Q was wee - however it may pass with no explanation.
Q broke into hives every time the wind blew for a couple of years and we thought she was allergic to a certain antibiotic, or two, or more, or something completely - else.
Then it just - passed.
Motherhood is not for wimps.
Are you ok? How are things going?
Hi Annie, I hope the hives are better. Viruses can and do cause rashes and hives, but that's still no consolation, is it?
Oh how frustrating! During the month that she's been having hives, has she been eating milk and eggs? Blood tests can be a little unreliable in my experience. My daughter's blood tests throw up Huge reactions to certain pollens, but as yet she has not had a reaction to them. A soya allergy diagnosed through blood tests was discounted on skin prick tests. The message I've received from specialists is that the blood tests, skin prick and reaction on eating all need to be taken together to give a clear (?are allergies ever clear?) picture. Remember that ultimately she is YOUR child and that you can decide what is best for her based on your observations. My doctor wanted me to embark on a 'desensitisation' diet, which felt completely wrong, especially as i'd just been handed an epipen to use if she ever accidentally drank milk. I've refused, and feel happy with that decision. I hope you find a way through it all. Sorry to rant on your blog. Just read the post above; HOW scary...i think being extremely rude is a training module for ER staff - whichever country you're in!
Pigx
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