Tag Archives: eczema

December 2014 – in time for Christmas

December 2014 : ‘flu vaccination for children, calprotectin, paintballing bruises, eczema and some useful links to atopy downloads.   Do leave comments:

Dermatology for the New Year!

Eczema this month, a reminder of treatment of infections and links to some useful audit tools from NICE.  Next month, scabies.  Another excellent website on food and nutrition in toddlers with a bit on do’s and don’ts of faddy eating and a paper on whether treating ADHD reduces crime.  Do leave comments.

Allergy update 2013

Allergy – notes from a recent allergy update course with thanks to Dr Su Li, paediatric consultant @ Whipps Cross.

Useful websites:

www.allergyuk.org – good factsheets on rhinitis, oral allergy syndrome etc.

www.itchysneezywheezy.co.uk is a collaborative project for patients, their parents and health professionals on all aspects of atopic illness.

RCPCH allergy care pathways for health professionals (eczema, anaphylaxis, urticaria, mastocytosis, food, drug and venom allergies etc. etc.)

www.bsaci.org (stores patient management guidelines and has recently been accredited by NICE – milk, nut and penicillin allergy guidelines all currently in progress)

How to make a diagnosis:

1.  Allergy  focussed clinical history

2.  Allergy  tests – tests look at sensitisation not clinical allergy, defines probability of allergy

Skin prick tests

IgE tests

Provocation tests / food challenge

IgE ranges :

 

< 0.35 Grade 0
0.35 – 0.7 Grade 1
0.7 – 3.5 Grade 2
3.5 – 17.5 Grade 3
17.5 – 50 Grade 4
50 – 100 Grade 5
> 100 Grade 6

 

Test equivalence :

Skin prick < 3 mm 3-7 mm >7 mm
IgE < 0.35 0.35 – 50 > 50

 

Probability of allergy :

< 3 mm 3-7 mm > 7 mm
High clinical suspicion Possible allergy Probably allergy Allergic
50:50 Possible allergy Possible allergy Probably allergy
Low clinical suspicion Not allergic Possible allergy Possible allergy

 

If ‘possible allergy’ consider food challenge.

 

Peanut Allergy:

  • Your risk of anaphylaxis to peanut is 1% per year if you have a nut allergy.
  • If you have had anaphylactic reaction, your risk increases to 5% per year, therefore always prescribe Adrenaline Autoinjector (EpiPen).
  • The degree of positivity of a test does not change the risk of anaphylaxis.
  • Your risk of having a peanut allergy is 8 times more if you have a sibling with a nut allergy – consider screening siblings.

Eczema:

  • Common allergens associated with eczema are egg, peanut and cows milk.
  • If you are allergic to egg, consider testing for the peanut and milk as they often co-exist
  • Egg exclusion diets can improve eczema symptoms however there is an increased risk of anaphylaxis if you come into contact with egg whilst on an
    exclusion diet.
  • Consider a food challenge after 1 year as egg allergies often resolve.

Cows Milk Protein Intolerance:

  • This is a non IgE mediated disease, allergy testing will be negative.
  • Typical symptoms tend to be eczema or GI upset including reflux, vomiting, ‘colic’, constipation, loose stools, blood and mucous in stools.
  • Management includes a 2-4 week trial of extensively hydrolysed formula (Nutramigen / Peptijunior) or amino acid formula (Nutramigen AA / Neocate).
  • If breastfeeding, mothers need to go onto an exclusion diet (including soya).
  • Do not use over the counter partially hydrolysed formula milks, these still contain cows milk protein.
  • Refer to a dietician if on an exclusion diet.
  • Consider diagnosis of FPIES (food protein intolerance enteropathy syndrome).
  • Cows milk protein intolerance usually resolves around 14 months of age.
  • At this age, introduce soya milk first. If well tolerated, introduce cows milk.

 

 

March 2013 up and running

Delayed sleep phase this month and chronotherapy which sounds like quite an undertaking.  Also a link to a new parent’s guide to picking up and talking about sexual abuse, links to handy recent uploads to the site, the BSACI guideline on allergic rhinitis and more banging on about vitamin D supplementation – please.

Dr Anshoo Sahota’s personalised eczema plans

Anshoo Sahota is a dermatologist at Whipps Cross Hospital (Barts Health) who has devised this personal eczema management plan with drop down menus you choose from before printing them out for your patient to take  home with them.  The paediatric one has pretty pictures on but is the same otherwise. Please note that they don’t download properly on iPads.

Personal eczema plan

Paediatric personal eczema plan

October GP PDF has been published!

The October edition features eczema herpeticum, the 2009 NICE guideline on coeliac disease and a useful table of infant formulas suitable for cows’ milk protein allergic children.  Click here!