Allergies

[Jenel]

Does anyone have info on allergies such as signs to look for in babies (7mo) and cats. My grandchild lives w/us but the cats are not in her room. She has very little contact w/the cats. Her ped. now is saying the she must be allergic to the cats 'because cats are the worst' according to him (and he didn't even suggest any test to confirm allergies) She has had an upper respitory infection and some congestion that has not cleared up in 2 weeks. I feel that her dr. didn't treat her properly from the beginning of her illness. I suggested to my daughter that she find a new ped and get a second opinion (this is for various other reasons as well). Long story short... just wondering if anyone has any experience with cat allergies and babies... what should we look for etc
thanks.

 

[jsouthan]

Does anyone have info on allergies such as signs to look for in babies (7mo) and cats. My grandchild lives w/us but the cats are not in her room. She has very little contact w/the cats. Her ped. now is saying the she must be allergic to the cats 'because cats are the worst' according to him (and he didn't even suggest any test to confirm allergies) She has had an upper respitory infection and some congestion that has not cleared up in 2 weeks. I feel that her dr. didn't treat her properly from the beginning of her illness. I suggested to my daughter that she find a new ped and get a second opinion (this is for various other reasons as well). Long story short... just wondering if anyone has any experience with cat allergies and babies... what should we look for etc
thanks.

My son developed allergies at 18mo., which was very young according to the allergist. He said that most allergies do not develop until the age of 3, but that they can (and do) develop earlier. He did the testing to confirm and my son tested positive to a multitude of things. If the ped. thinks it is allergies, I would definitely suggest getting her tested, but I would go to an allergist. We went to Dr. Fears, who sees patients in Solomons and Prince Frederick and is really great with the kids. He does not overmedicate, but definitely will give them what they need, esp. if they are having a particular issue. If it is not allergies, or if you cannot get in for a little while (make sure you tell them how young she is and the problems she is having if they give you an appt. too far out), I would definitely suggest seeing a different ped.

 

[Kain99]

I am allergic to cats and it is a nasty allergy!

 

[vraiblonde]

Sounds like the baby has bronchitis, not allergies. I'd get a second opinion and have them actually do tests. Because if it's not allergies, you don't want to fool around with it too long.

 

[river rat]

I don't know anything about babies and cat allergies but, while you are trying to sort it all out......have you changed the filters in your heating system lately? Like your heat pump or oil furnace........every month, it does make a difference.

 

[tygrace]

My son was 9 months old and he would have a clear runny nose all the time and sneezing. His ped kept telling me that allergy tests weren't the answer, but couldn't tell me why he kept getting runny nose and sneezing. I finally got him to give me a referral for a ped allergy doctor, and they tested him for several things. He tested positive for cat allergies. The tests that he had involved needles -the only way they tested for allergies. I since changed pediatricians (for other things as well as this). I would get your grandbaby tested to be on safe side. My son is now 5 years old and we just rescued a kitten a few months ago. My son hasn't shown any signs of being allergic, so I believe they do grow out of it IMO. Hope this helps.