Our Saturday morning started out as per usual. I got the call for Mummy at 630am and took the Lil' Tiger into bed with me for a little morning cuddle, our Saturday morning ritual aka mommy still needs to lie down in bed still. After a good 30 minute cuddle, we got out of bed and I asked my little toddler what she wanted for breakfast and she said "TOAST". So I obliged. I thought it would be a good idea to have some peanut butter on our toast this morning so I slather on some andI proceed to walk to the front of the house with toast and cuppa tea in hand and we watch some cartoons, another Saturday morning ritual that we have.
"Mummy....itcy...itcy" she said while scratching her neck.
"Don't scratch," I said. Not thinking anything else was out of the ordinary. We all know that the the Lil' Tiger suffers from eczema. Scratching is not out of the norm.
"Mummy.....itchy itchy.... owie" she said with more urgency.
"Stop scratching LT. Let mommy have a look." I put my toast down and to my shock and horror, welts and hives have formed on the right side of her face and neck. It was red and swollen. I immediately got up and went to our medicine box to look for the bottle of antihistamine that I have for her when the rogue eczema comes for a visit and immediately gave it to her whilst trying not to panic.
I told her that we are going out and we should put on our shoes. She sat down quietly while I try not to shake as I put on her shoes and we were out the door. I kept telling M to check on her to see if the welts and hives got worst, but he kept saying no and looked like it has all gone down. We arrived at Princess Margaret Hospital in 20 minutes and made a mad dash to the ER. We were seen immediately as it was not very busy. THANK GOD!
While waiting to be seen by a doctor
After what seemed like FOREVER, we were assessed by the ED Nurse and then a doctor. The ED nursed told me I did the right thing in giving her antihistamine before coming to the hospital. It was because of what I did that the allergy reaction did not go too far. *phew* At least I did something right. The doctor came back to us and gave us a management plan and a referral to the allergy clinic.
This is all new to me. I have never cared for someone who has an allergy like this. My sister Nana has an allergy to seafood but nothing that an antihistamine wouldn't fix. I have been reading and hearing things of an Anaphylaxis shock and I have to tell you, I AM SHIT SCARED! I know she did not have a shock, but it is still at the back of my mind. So I guess we will be making our appointment to the allergy clinic and will get it confirmed but until then, I am trying not to give her any more peanut butter.
Is your child allergic to nuts? Mind sharing some tips with this scared mum? I would be grateful!
