Asthma & Allergies

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Our family has Asthma, Allergies and Eczema. To give an introduction to these health conditions and how they affect our family this page provides details about Anaphylactic Shock, describes how to recognise Anaphylactic Shock, shows the results of an allergy test and lists what allergies our family has.

Introduction

Caroline, Lewis and Chloe have always had asthma. Lewis and Chloe have had asthma since birth, although it was not recognised by the Doctors until they were about six weeks old. Their asthma can be severe, however it doesn't normally cause a problem unless they contract a chesty viral infection or are exposed to severely dusty environments. All three have had regular stays (maybe 4 times each year) in hospital for their asthma, Caroline once being in Intensive Care for three days due to a severe asthma attack.

Also, Caroline, Lewis and Chloe have always had allergies. They have inherited an immune system, which is somewhat hypersensitive and as such, is prone to react in an inappropriate manner to some everyday food substances that their system falsely recognises as a dangerous intruder (allergen).

There can be various reactions to various substances, from a mild rash to vomiting, and in the most extreme case - anaphylactic shock. Their consultants have identified that they are at risk of suffering from anaphylactic shock, this occurs when their immune system has launched a massive attack on test allergens in laboratory tests, and because they have suffered some disturbing physical side effects after eating some food substances in the past. This does not mean that they are going to "drop down dead" if they eat the wrong food, it does however mean that there is an increased risk of anaphylactic shock, which can be life threatening and because of this there are certain precautions that need to be taken to minimise these risks.

Caroline, Lewis and Chloe also have eczema, which can look awful and is sometimes painful.

Oliver does not have asthma, eczema or any allergies.

What is Anaphylactic Shock (Anaphylaxis)

However there is a treatment available to give first aid to a patient with anaphylactic shock, this is to administer adrenaline. This is done through an automatic, pre-dosed injection kit known as an Epi-Pen.

Adrenaline works by constricting the blood vessels and so reducing the swelling, it increases blood pressure and can kick start the heart beating again. Adrenaline can buy you precious time to get the Patient some professional help, it does not cure anaphylaxis or stop it, but it should keep them alive until an ambulance arrives. Speed is however of the essence, death by anaphylaxis can occur within a few minutes of the onset of symptoms, therefore the Epi-Pen must be carried around at all times.

Basically, the sooner they are given the adrenaline, the more chance they will have of surviving anaphylactic shock. All allergic reactions vary, and just because they have been identified as being at risk, does not mean that they will go into anaphylactic shock automatically.

How To Recognise Anaphylactic Shock

There are a few tell tale signs of a person with anaphylactic shock, it is worth pointing out that not necessarily all of these following symptoms will appear in this order, only some may happen, however the golden rule is that if you are in any doubt as to whether it is anaphylaxis, then administer the adrenaline. It is far safer to give the adrenaline for no reason than to hesitate and allow the anaphylaxis to continue, time is vitally important.

The common symptoms are:

Swelling of the lips
Swelling of the tongue
Swelling of the face and or neck
Swelling inside of the throat (like a lump that cannot be swallowed)
Hives (white swollen lumps on the surface of the skin, like nettle rash)
Red blotchy skin on the face and hands where contact has been made
Tummy cramps
Severe nausea and vomiting
Shortness of breath
Turning bluish in the face (particularly around the corners of the lips)
Feeling of intense panic and doom
Collapse or feeling faint and light-headed
Increase in pulse rate

Lewis or Chloe complain of "feeling funny" when having an allergic reaction.

Lewis' Allergy Test

(Top of Page)

Here is a photo of Lewis skin test to confirm his allergies.

The test consists of applying a small drop of the allergen onto the skin and then breaking the skin with a needle so the allergen enters the body.

An allergic reaction appears as a red inflamed spot - the larger the spot the stronger the reaction. Each spot is circled with a pen and measured.

The samples tested on his Right Arm (on the left in the picture) from Top to Bottom are:

Positive Sample, Negative Sample, Orange, Walnut, Pea, Brazil Nut, ???, and Wheat.

The samples tested on his Left Arm (on the right in the picture) from Top to Bottom are:

???, Egg Yolk, ???, Soya, Tomato, Hazelnut and Egg White.

What are they Allergic To?

It's worth mentioning here that although we have identified some trigger allergens, the problem is that their system is effectively faulty and so could react to any substance, even one they have been comfortable with in the past.
The point is to be aware of the symptoms of anaphylaxis, to carry the Epi-Pen everywhere and to know how to use it.

Lewis' trigger allergens that we know of and substances, which should be avoided like the plague, are the following:

Eggs
Oranges
Pears
Tomatoes
Bee & wasp stings
All nuts
All seeds (e.g. sesame seeds, poppy seeds, caraway seeds etc.) Fresh baked bread from bakers and supermarket bakery sections are often cross contamination with seeds. We have often found stray seeds on the base of loaves.
All legumes (e.g. anything which is grown in a pod, such as any form of bean or pea like green beans, haricot beans, chick peas, butter beans, pulses, kidney beans, lentils etc. This is because the legumes family tree is very closely linked to the nut family tree) He is however strangely o.k. with Soya beans!!

Lewis is technically allergic to cow's milk, as it gives him eczema, we try to avoid it if possible but are not too concerned by cow's milk, it is unlikely to cause anaphylaxis (although I know of other kids who do react badly to it, and I am becoming wary of it). This is the most difficult one to rule out and he does occasionally have it in products at home.

Chloe's trigger allergens that we know of and substances, which should be avoided like the plague, are the following:

Fish
Shellfish
Strawberries
All Nuts

Horses - Chloe has a severe reaction when near to or in contact with horses.

Caroline's trigger allergens that we know of and substances, which should be avoided like the plague, are the following:

Eggs
Fish
Shellfish
Bananas
All Nuts
Latex (related to the banana family)