Allergies

 

I am allergic to penicillin so in the first year we were cautious about the medication prescribed.  However, he did get sick and was in hospital for a few hours.  It was there that the doctor suggested we try drugs with penicillin.  What better place to be if he had an allergic reaction.  It was then that we discovered he was not allergic to penicillin.

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Our son reacted to two different antibiotics and in the first two years he had frequent ear infections.  Our GP suggested an ENT specialist who recommended grommits. We booked him in for the surgery but in-between decided to see a Paediatrician for a second opinion.  The Paediatrician assessed his reaction to antibiotics and sent him for an ear test. 

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With one of the antibiotics it was the dosage that caused the reaction rather that the medication itself. With the other, his reaction was a tummy ache so the Paediatrician suggested we avoid it. His ear test showed that his hearing was good.  His ear infection cleared and he did not require grommits. 

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As a caution, we stopped his swimming lessons for a year as we thought it was the chlorine causing the infections.

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He's now 4 year's old and has returned to swimming.  The ear infections are less frequent now. 

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So if you are having the same issue, I'd recommend getting a second or third opinion.  If your child shows signs of being allergic to medicines, it pays to do the tests to find out more. 

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Pay attention to these key symptoms:

• Fever. If your baby is under the age of 2-3months, get in touch with the doctor if he has any fever at all even if it is as low as 38deg.  At this age the immune system is less mature, an infection can be a sign of something more serious. If your baby is older than 3 months and is weak or vomiting in addition to a high temperature, check with your doctor.

• If your baby develops widespread hives, especially around the mouth, or develops hives accompanied by coughing, vomiting, wheezing, or other respiratory symptoms you should go to the emergency room. This may be a sign of a very serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. 

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If your baby's symptoms are non-life threathening and you are concerned here are a few key contacts that may help:

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NHS Direct (UK) 

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Doctor at home service (check your local area).  In Sydney, Australia 13Sick 

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Heath Direct Australia 

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