Early arrival of Hay Fever / Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis, this year
via Hay Fever / Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis
Tests for Cow’s milk (protein) allergy
I get asked this very often when I diagnose CMPA in a baby. The most common type of CMPA is Non IgE mediated. It presents at the age of 4-6 weeks onwards. The symptoms are dry skin, reflux (unsettled, vomity baby), runny stools or worsening constipation. Some babies are also snuffly and have blocked nose, all the time. The severe form, which is IgE mediated CMPA, presents earlier, within days as vomit as soon as milk is given (usually formula), sneezes, rash over face and sometimes breathing difficulty. This can… Read more Tests for Cow’s milk (protein) allergy →
Peanut Immunotherapy (desensitisation)
There have been recent trials for Peanut Immunothearpy, which have been quite successful. Sublingual Immunotherapy for Peanuts is also being trailled and if successful, will be veru useful, as many children who are allergic to Peanuts, do not want to eat Peanut for the desensitisation. https://www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk/about-us/news-events/2018-news/20181119-landmark-study-peanut-allergy.aspx Currently, the only clinic that I can find offering Immunotherapy for Peanut is at Addenbrooks Hospital, Cambrodge. http://www.peanut.cuh.org.uk/
EEG (Electroencephalogram)
EEG or trace of the brain is used to pick up electrical brain activity in the brain by placing leads on the head. It is very similar principal to ECG (Electrocardiogram), which picks up electrical activity of the heart. Epilepsy, though is primarily a clinical diagnosis as EEG can be normal in children with Epilpepsy and many normal people (upto 5%) can have abnormal EEG. It is helpful though to know the type of seizures, their origin etc. Various types of EEG are described in this section in the excellent… Read more EEG (Electroencephalogram) →
Persistent swollen glands (Lymphadenopathy)
Persistently enlarged lymph nodes (glands) cause terrible anxiety in parents. They are most commonly caused by infections. They are usually limited to the area they drain, for example in the neck after infections of throat/ear/scalp etc. Sometimes it can take weeks or months for them to shrink in size and that can be worrying for parents and carers. Most often, parents only need reassurance but if there are features like fever, night sweats, weight loss etc. or if there is generalised enlargement in multiple places, then, blood tests can be… Read more Persistent swollen glands (Lymphadenopathy) →
Infantile colic
Colic is when a baby cries a lot but there’s no obvious cause. It’s a common problem that should get better on its own. Unfortunately, we don’t know why it happens and how to treat it. No medicine has been shown to work and it just gets better with time. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/colic/
Why the world is becoming more allergic to food – BBC News
Normal baby movements vs Infantile spasms.
It is fascinating to see babies develope and learn new skills. Every baby is different and so is the development. Some babies do things sooner than the others. Sometimes they may be having movements which might happen suddenly and repeatedly. These can be normal or abnormal. Some babies are very active and can move their arms and legs, try to lift their trunk and these may appear abnormal. Usually these are normal and you can stop them if you hold them. Abnormal movements are usually sudden and happen repeatedly. It… Read more Normal baby movements vs Infantile spasms. →
