Anaphylaxis in Children - A Mother's Tale

PODCAST

Jessica’s son ate some green beans, then 90 mins later he was limp and pale in her husband’s arms. Luckily Jessica knew what to do, sourced the EpiPen and gave it. In her words “it was like magic”.

Anaphylaxis often does not look like we think it will, in Jessica’s case, her son went pale and floppy quite a long time after he had eaten the most benign food.

Let’s recap what anaphylaxis can look like, I will include a more detailed explanation under the ASCIA symptom definition:

Difficult/noisy breathing

Although this might be happening, the child might still seem like they are quite happy and wide awake, especially in young children. There is not necessarily distress.

Swelling of the tongue

Not a very common symptom but it becomes quite obvious because they don’t want to close their mouth.

Swelling/tightness in the throat

A young child in particular will likely start grabbing at their neck. If your child can talk, it is sometimes useful to ask them if they feel like they have bugs in their throat or a stone in their throat. ‘Bugs’ can just be tingling and less concerning, a ‘stone’ is how it feels when your throat swells.

Anaphylaxis often does not look like we think it will, in Jessica’s case, her son went pale and floppy quite a long time after he had eaten the most benign food.

Wheeze or persistent cough

The most common symptom we see, but again, the child can seem otherwise fine and quite happy. However, they may also be distressed. It’s different every time.

Difficulty talking/hoarse voice

Ask your older child to count to 10 and see if they can. In a young child, even their cry will sound different.

Persistent dizziness/collapse

This is how older children will describe the drop in blood pressure

Pale and floppy (young child)

There may be no other symptoms at all, (like today’s video) but a child can just go pale and floppy or sleepy with no other signs. Hives and swelling do not always occur before anaphylaxis.

Watch today’s video to hear Jessica’s story, and remember, if you have one, Carry Your EpiPen!