This week has been a rough one.

For those of you who don’t know, there are 3 things that are often linked together medically: eczema, food allergies, and asthma.  Thankfully, D only has issues with 2 of those.

This week has been a particularly bad one with his eczema which is largely induced by environmental factors.  He’s allergic to dust mites, cats, dogs, and sensitive to many soaps, laundry detergents, etc.  Humidity is also eczema’s enemy, not easy when you live in Chicago.  Even if your clothes have any of these items on them, his eczema can flair up.  Cats and dogs usually cause him to break out into hives and once, his eye swelled up.

Last Saturday, D seemed to be developing something beyond eczema.  It looked more like a rash on his chest, back, and in the back of his knees which is where his eczema is usually worse.  This was the second time in a month so we decided to get him in to see the doctor.  She thought maybe he had a virus and a bacterial infection (impetigo) from the bad eczema but wanted to confirm with the pediatric dermatologist on Monday.  She took some pictures and told us to try a topical antibiotic.

By Monday, it had gotten better so she told us to continue usage.  Wednesday morning, daycare called and sent him home because they thought he had hand, foot, and mouth which started in his room on Tuesday.  Doctor confirmed it wasn’t, just impetigo still.

Back we go.  Thursday afternoon, daycare called again.  D now had a fever of 101 and had to go home.  I put him into the bath after dinner, and he threw up a minute later. Continue reading →

I’ll never forget the day.

L: “Jennifer, this is L.” (daycare center director – the head lady)

Me: “Yes?” (OK, something’s weird here.  L never calls.)

L: “I’m here with D.  Has he ever had an allergic reaction before?”

Me: “What kind of allergic reaction?”

L: “To food.  I’m here with T.” (on-site security; teaches first aid and CPR).

Me: “No.  Why?”

L: “D’s having some sort of allergic reaction.  He’s broken out into hives.”

Me: “Are you sure it’s not eczema?  He gets really bad outbreaks that probably look like hives.”

L: “No.  I don’t think so.  The hives are all over his body.  He’s projectile vomiting, and he’s wheezing.  Are you at work? Can you come over?”

Me: “No, not today.  I’m working from home.  It’d take me some time to get there.  What did he eat?”  (What?  What is going on?)

L: “He just had formula and rice cereal.  (Me: He’s had both of those multiple times before; clearly,  he is not having an allergic reaction.)  OK, I’m going to call First Response to come check on him.  I’ll call you back.”

Me : (What?  Are they totally overreacting here?  This is ridiculous.  They probably just want to make sure.)

5 minutes later…

L: “Jennifer?  First Response is here.  We need to take D immediately to the hospital.”  (Me: What?  Oh no, oh no.  This can’t be happening.  This is for real.  OK, OK.  OMG.)  I’m going to ride with him in the ambulance.  How far away are you?”

Continue reading →