Swollen face-MTX related, or something else?

[CrohnsKidMom]

My 8 yr old son has been away at camp for the last 5 days. He called home yesterday requesting more sunscreen, as he lost the bottle that went to camp with him. I think he was feeling a little homesick, and this was his excuse to see mom, as I'm sure the camp would have provided the needed sunscreen. Anyway, the camp is only a couple kms down the road, so I made the delivery. When I saw my son I was a little surprised, as his face appeared swollen-especially under the eyes. He was a little sunburned, just a bit pink, so maybe that was it. He also had a bag of cheesies earlier that afternoon, so maybe the salt did it. But the more I think of it, the more I worry that he's having an allergic reaction to the MTX. He has been taking the injections for 9 wks now. He's almost done his tapering off of Prednisone, and is alternating daily doses of 2.5 and 5mg this wk. He comes home from camp tomorrow at suppertime, but I'm getting anxious. It is not a camp for IBDers, although they have been wonderful at accommodating him, and they do have a nurse on staff. Any thoughts?

 

[DanceMom]

Has he been swimming? My girls get very puffy red eyes for several hours after being in the pool because they open their eyes underwater. And wearing goggles seems to make their face swell a little where the goggles squeeze their face. We have no experience with MTX but lots of experience with swimming!

 

[Johnnysmom]

I would call your GI and discuss what signs you should look for with an allergic reaction to MTX. If they completely ease your worries great! But, if you need to talk to your son to see if there is anything else going on, I would drive down the road and give him a visit.

Prednisone can dampen the effects of an allergic reaction and it would make me nervous that he is tapering off of it and maybe having a reaction to MTX. I doubt there are any issues but I know I would feel better if I checked it out. My guess is the GI will have very specific things for you to look for and you will know pretty quickly if it is really a concern. I would not trust a camp nurse to handle this, I just don't think they have the training.

Sorry I can't offer any advice specifically about what an allergic reaction to MTX would look like. I am sure someone will be along shortly that can fill you in on that.

(((((Hugs))))))

 

[my little penguin]

Signs of Anaphylaxis1

Skin: Flushing; itching; hives; swelling; rash; itching of lips, tongue and palate; swelling of lips, tongue and back of throat (uvula); itching around eyes; redness and swelling of eyes; and tearing of eyes.

Respiratory: Itching and tightness of the throat; difficulty swallowing; change in voice; hoarseness; dry cough; harsh high-pitched breathing (stridor); itching in the outer ear canals; shortness of breath; chest tightness; cough and wheezing; itching of the nose; runny nose; congestion; and sneezing.

Gastrointestinal: Nausea; cramping abdominal pain; vomiting; and diarrhea.

Cardiovascular: Decreased blood pressure; feeling faint; fainting; not acting normally; chest pain; and heart rhythm abnormalities.

Other: Uterine cramping in women; and an aura of impending doom.
- See more at: http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.or...s_symptoms_and_treatment#sthash.14eDnK86.dpuf

From kids with food allergies

Definitely call your Gi
Also remember Mtx affects the ability to sweat ( I think)
So hear could be a factor

 

[Maya142]

My daughter has also had a reaction like that - a red rash on her cheeks, swollen under the eyes. She was only on Humira (had just gotten off MTX) at the time so of course I panicked and assumed she had drug induced lupus. Her doctor was concerned but we didn't get a picture so she couldn't actually tell us if it was a butterfly rash (which is what we were worried about). It turned out to be sun-related for her - now we make sure she is absolutely covered in sunscreen, wears a hat etc. and it hasn't happened since.
Hope this helps!
Maya

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

Thanks for your help everyone! A lot of worry and a slight bit of panic, and it seems my son's swollen face was from the sun, and a lack of sleep, no doubt. He looks normal now, well, except for a bit of prednisone puffiness... Thanks again! I really appreciate the knowledge and support I find here. God bless all of you!