INSTANT appointment
With Dr José Costa, senior paediatric consultant and NHS paedatric allergy service leader (thechildrensallergy.co.uk)
Allergy anxiety
Q My daughter is scared of using her EpiPen to stop her allergic reactions. Are there any other ways we can treat her nut allergy?
A If the allergic reaction is mild with symptoms such as hives, redness, mild swellings on the face or around mouth or eyes, then taking antihistamines might help.
However, if there are signs of anaphylaxis with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, drowsiness or fainting, then the only option is to use the Adrenaline Auto-Injector –often either aJext or EpiPen. If your child is afraid of using their EpiPen, it’s worth taking some time on a regular day –when you’re not in the emergency situation where you need to use it –to talk to them about their fears and address them in apositive way.
For example, they might believe the needle is very long or that it will be painful. In both cases, this is not so.
If you have an expired injector, you can help your child build confidence using it by practising on an orange.
It can also be helpful to reassure your child that if they feel very unwell with an allergic reaction, that the injector is medicine that will make them feel better and improve their symptoms quickly.
In your DNA
Q I have coeliac disease and I’m worried that my children will also be diagnosed with it in later life. Is coeliac disease genetic?
A Coeliac disease is genetically linked with the genes DQ2 and DQ8. However, not all people who test positive for these genes will develop coeliac disease.
The risk of developing coeliac disease if aclose relative has it is approximately just 10%.
It would be advisable for someone to be screened for coeliac disease if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms after consuming gluten – diarrhoea or constipation, bloating and excessive wind, abdominal pain, tiredness, weight loss and headaches.
Symptoms like tiredness could also be as aresult of anaemia, due to poor iron, vitamin B12 and folate absorption.
Bear in mind that you need to be eating gluten products for at least six weeks before the test can be done. Otherwise, it can potentially result in false negatives.
Pet hate
Q Ever since getting our pet dog, my son has had a chesty cough and his eyes are always watering. Could he be allergic? And if so, what treatments can he take for this?
A There is agood chance that your son has developed an allergy to your dog.
However, to be sure, he would require skin prick tests to a
