Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have a child with severe allergies?
This week is allergy awareness week. In honour of this I spoke to local mum, Joanna, who has a daughter with severe allergies.
She told me all about how they discovered her daughter’s allergies and what advice she’d give to other parents.
When and how did you first find out your daughter has severe allergies?
“My daughter is 5 now but we first found out when she was 6 months old. I gave her a tiny amount of scrambled egg and within 5 minutes her whole body was covered in a blotchy red rash. She was very distressed. After this she tested positive for eggs, nuts and sesame.”
What steps did the doctors take when they discovered she had severe allergies?
“They advised that we carry an adrenaline pen and liquid antihistamine at all times.”
What do you find is the most challenging part of having a child with severe allergies?
“For me as a parent I have tried to make my daughter aware of it and make sure she checks with me before eating anything.
It’s not always easy when we are at parties, play dates or anywhere with food!”
What advice would you give to other parents?
“I would ask all parents to never give another child food unless they have checked with the parent first. The same for when their child shares any food.
It’s something I never would have thought about before having had to deal with it myself.
I’d recommend parents having liquid antihistamine in the house at all times as a precaution.”
Anaphylactic Shock
Anaphylactic shock is rare but it only takes 7 minutes for a child’s airway to swell and close completely so it’s vital to know how to recognise it.
You can find out more information from www.anaphylaxis.org.uk
In our first aid classes, we teach you how to recognise the early symptoms and what to do if a child in your care is having a severe allergic reaction.
If you’d like to book onto one of our classes please click here to find your local trainer.
About Feola McCandlish
Feola is a mum of 2 and runs Daisy First Aid Guildford, Reigate, Horsham and Mid Sussex. You can contact Feola for information or to book a private class via email, or book a public venue class on her webpage: www.daisyfirstaid.com/guildford