Last week I took David to the allergist because our Pediatrician recommended we be seen due to David's egg allergy we knew about and his eczema he's had since he was a baby. We had been avoiding giving him nuts and shellfish until we did a skin test since those reactions can be more serious.
We saw Dr. Ramey (a family friend, nice to have a personal relationship) last week and they ran a whole list of tests. About 40 different things were tested from eggs to cockroaches. The only thing that showed up positive were egg yolks, egg whites, and tree pollen III. Dr. Ramey said we could start introducing what we were avoiding (nuts, shellfish) in small doses one at a time, and gave us a prescription for an Epi pen, and instructions on what to do if he had a reaction severe enough to use it.
This morning I decided to try peanuts. I put a teeny, tiny bit of PB on my finger and let David lick it off. Then we went about our day, EPI pens sitting on the top of the TV just in case. I told myself he'd be fine, he was tested after all.
Then we went upstairs to get dressed for the day. I took the Epi pens with us. After about 10 minutes I saw he started getting a hive on his chin. Is that really a hive or am I just seeing things because I'm worried about it? Wait a minute longer, more hives. All around his chin and mouth. Panic set in. Oh no, what have I done. Quickly put clothes on both of us and call Dr. Rameys office. He's in today the receptionist said. OH PRAISE GOD. His office is literally .5 miles away from my house. I grabbed my bag threw epi pens in and buckled David in and raced to the office. I find a space and race up to the second floor. THE DOOR TO THE OFFICE IS LOCKED. Apparently they aren't at the Mount Pleasant office on Mondays, but 25 min away at the Trident location. I didn't know this. Panic sets in again, I was just starting to feel good. David's rash is getting worse. He has hives on his forehead, and his right eye. I call the office, beg to speak with Dr. Ramey. I get his nurse. I'm crying, freaking out. She asks all the appropriate questions, he isn't having difficulty breathing, I start to cry, his hives are on his face, one on his neck, he's itching his knee. How far am I from the ER. Do I go to my Peditricians office or ER? She tells me to give Benadryl... WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT!!?? I was so focused on the Epi pen, whether to give it or not that I totally forgot about the first step, Benadryl! I put D down on a chair go through my bag, there's my "perfect dose" Benadryl I keep all the time. I twist off the top and squirt it in his mouth. I get back on the phone with the nurse, now he's itching his knee. She tells me to go ahead and give the Epi if he starts getting the rash on his body. What? Really? Even without breathing issues? Panic sets in even more. The thought of stabbing my baby with a huge needle and giving him a powerful drug seems overwhelming. I ask her if, since I'm so close to the ER, if I can just wait and see if the doctor there thinks he needs it. I'm not sure the rash on his leg isn't his eczema. She says that's fine.
I race to the ER, fly through the door, knocking David into it since it didn't open up quick enough, he's fine. I run back to the triage where two nurses are standing, crying, panicking I tell them that he's having an allergic reaction to peanuts. They go into "super nurse" mode, judging by my overreaction they think he's in anaphylaxis. Thankfully, he isn't. They get his weight, pulse ox, and blood pressure and get us to a room. In less than a minute the Doctor comes in and checks him out. I give him the package of Benadryl I used when he asks me how much I gave. He says its the perfect amount. Dr. Ramey calls me on my cell. Thank God! I tell him what's going on and he seems relieved that we are at the ER and says to just let them take care of him and call him later.
The ER doctor explains that not all peanut reactions are the bad kind that people think of. Some kids, like David just get a rash like this. It can progress if he is exposed again to a more severe reaction, or he could have the exact same kind. Thankfully, that one dose of Benadryl seemed to do the trick! They gave him some steroids which we are to continue for 3 days, and we have to give him Benadryl every 6 hours today.
The rash goes away. He gets two more hives while we are there but the Doctor said that's normal.
I have never ever been more scared in my entire life. I'm just so glad that he is ok and the reaction wasn't more severe. So now we know we are dealing with more than just an egg allergy. Please pray for David's safety. It is scary to me that he might have a worse reaction the next time. I'll know more when we see the allergist again on what to do. I just hate that he has to go through this.
Thanks for all your prayers.
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