Severely Swollen Eyelids In 12 Month Old

[mommyoftwo]

My youngest daughter, who turns one today, has been dealing with puffy eyelids upon wakening every morning for approximately 5 weeks now. We were brushed off by her pediatrician who stated that the edema would probably resolve itself. The start of the eyelid puffiness corresponded with her moving from breast milk to cow's milk (she has been eating solids, with wheat in them, since month 5). As my husband has severe food allergies to milk and eggs, we immediately moved her off both and then did a thorough cleaning of her room (removing all potential allergens, washing bedding with dye free and fragrant free detergent) to eliminate possible environmental allergens as the trigger for her eyelid swelling. I should note that the eyelid swelling only occurred/occurs when she lays prone in bed --- if she naps in her swing, her eyes (due to gravity and therefore fluid drainage) do not swell. After testing her kidneys, we then took her to an allergist (this was week four). She tested above normal for milk, peanut and wheat! Her blood work also showed that she was significantly anemic. Putting two and two together (which neither of our docs did) I guessed that she may be gluten sensitive. Finally at week five, and she still having severely puffy eyelids, we had a blood panel run on her yesterday and asked that a celiac panel be added as well. We are awaiting results.

So, my question to all you seasoned parents out there is...has your child ever experienced severe eye swelling as a result of eating wheat/gluten? If so, was this chronic and did the swelling go away after the gluten was eliminated from the diet? If and when the swelling did subside, how long did it take for this to happen? I removed gluten from her yesterday and this morning again she is puffy...not worse, but not any better. I am telling myself that I need to be a little bit more patient and I suppose you will all tell me this as well.

I really appreciate all your input. I'm going nuts trying to figure out what is wrong with my daughter --- I'm sure many of you have unfortunately been in the same situation.

Kind regards,

Mommyoftwo

and Mommy of birthday baby who looks like she got stung by 500 bees

[elle's mom]

Dear Mommyoftwo,

My 4yo diagnosed celiac dd HAS awoke with swollen eyelids for stretches (days not weeks), but not as a result of her consuming gluten (that we know of). She simply has "hayfever" and other animal allergies (started when she took a nap on a couch that a cat frequently sleeps on). I am an optometrist and I have NEVER heard of a 5 week stretch of this! The poor little thing. Have you tried Claritan? (it is gluten free) They also make liquid and chewables for little ones. It sounds like an allergy, but is she itching them, or are her eyes red inside, does the swelling subside during the day? You should definately take her to an eye doctor.

[mommyoftwo]

Dear Mommyoftwo,

My 4yo diagnosed celiac dd HAS awoke with swollen eyelids for stretches (days not weeks), but not as a result of her consuming gluten (that we know of). She simply has "hayfever" and other animal allergies (started when she took a nap on a couch that a cat frequently sleeps on). I am an optometrist and I have NEVER heard of a 5 week stretch of this! The poor little thing. Have you tried Claritan? (it is gluten free) They also make liquid and chewables for little ones. It sounds like an allergy, but is she itching them, or are her eyes red inside, does the swelling subside during the day? You should definately take her to an eye doctor.

Hi Elle's Mom:

Thanks so much for your response.

Her eyelid edema has been identified as a response to low blood albumin (low blood protein), one of the markers of celiac, but, also a marker of a variety of other maladies and diseases (yikes!) We will get results on Wednesday at the latest. The 5 week stretch of edema, however, seems to be subsiding...and we are on day 6 of a gluten-free diet!!!!! My husband and I definitely think it is the gluten...her biopsy will hopefully confirm this or something else manageable.

Thanks again,

Olivia

P.S. We did try both Claritin and Benadryl. As the edema is a result of fluid retention not inflammation, neither had any effect

[elle's mom]

Hi Elle's Mom:

Thanks so much for your response.

Her eyelid edema has been identified as a response to low blood albumin (low blood protein), one of the markers of celiac, but, also a marker of a variety of other maladies and diseases (yikes!) We will get results on Wednesday at the latest. The 5 week stretch of edema, however, seems to be subsiding...and we are on day 6 of a gluten-free diet!!!!! My husband and I definitely think it is the gluten...her biopsy will hopefully confirm this or something else manageable.

Thanks again,

Olivia

P.S. We did try both Claritin and Benadryl. As the edema is a result of fluid retention not inflammation, neither had any effect

Hey, I haven't been on here in awhile but I just wondered what you found out with our daughter?