Baby's life saved by paramedics after allergic reaction to egg in Broadstairs
Published: 05:00, 14 February 2023
Updated: 14:26, 14 February 2023
A mum has told of her terror after an allergic reaction to egg almost claimed her baby boy's life.
Lucy Bryant and six-month-old Teddy were enjoying breakfast at home in Broadstairs when he suddenly went into anaphylactic shock.
The 34-year-old called 999 as Teddy's face swelled up, and ambulance crews were on the scene within minutes.
Paramedics then gave the youngster vital adrenaline shots to combat the potentially fatal reaction.
Recalling last Tuesday's ordeal, a relieved Ms Bryant told KentOnline: "I was just eating breakfast with him at about 11.30am and I thought 'I'll give him some egg because he hasn't had it before'.
"He seemed to like it; I only gave him a tiny little bit.
"Two minutes later his face swelled up, his eyes closed, he had hives and turned bright red.
"He looked like a different baby. It was so scary."
After calling 999 at 11.38am, paramedics were on the scene within three minutes.
"There were three of them, and they gave him two shots of adrenaline in his legs and a hydrocortisone steroid injection," Ms Bryant said.
"Then they just monitored him and it started to go down, and we went in the ambulance up to hospital."
At the QEQM in Margate, Teddy was diagnosed with both a cow's milk allergy and egg allergy by a paediatrician.
"The doctor was great," Ms Bryant said.
"I'm glad she diagnosed him with the cow's milk allergy too, as I had an inkling he had it.
"I actually got to see a proper paediatrician for it, which I’ve been wanting to do for a while."
The stay-at-home mum says paramedics played with Teddy and made him laugh as they monitored him at home.
"They were good and told me not to panic," she continued.
"I just want to thank them so much for coming out so quickly.
"They were amazing."
"His face swelled up, his eyes closed, he had hives and turned bright red..."
Ms Bryant now has the challenge of dealing with Teddy's potentially deadly allergies.
"It's overwhelming - you don't realise how serious it is," she said.
"I'm terrified of even eating any egg near him in case he comes into contact with it somehow.
"His throat could have completely closed up."
Ms Bryant is also "baffled" at the recent need for strike action by paramedics.
"It's disgusting that they have to strike for better pay," she said.
"They saved my baby's life, and our story proves that the work they do deserves a good wage."
Paramedic Claire Gilmour was one of those called to the scene.
“We’re really pleased to hear Teddy is doing well," she said.
"On our arrival he had a very swollen side of his face and we knew instinctively we needed to act quickly.
"It was obviously a very distressing experience for mum but we were able to administer medication to reduce the swelling and take Teddy to hospital.
"It’s lovely that she has reached out to thank us and we wish her, Teddy and their family all the very best for the future.”
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