Steve Ferrier
Toddler Braxton Cherry is so allergic to dust mites that he cannot walk on a carpet unless it has just been vacuumed.
His bed linen has to be changed every day or his face swells and he breaks out in big, angry rashes across his body.
The Rockingham 21-month-old is also allergic to gluten, egg whites, dairy, fish and nuts and is yet to be tested for a range of other potential allergens.
His mother Chelsea Atkins said the youngest of her four children had eczema on his face as a baby and as soon as he started to crawl Braxton began reacting “to almost everything”.
“The itching has been so bad at times that he scratches his arms, feet and face to the point where he looks like he needs stitches,” Ms Atkins said.
“We’re at the doctors every three days getting more prescriptions. He has been on oral and cream steroids and antibiotics almost continuously since he was eight months old.
“They help for a while, but as soon as he goes off them it returns. He’s almost never not covered in scabs, which makes it really difficult for him to sleep.”
Braxton is on the public waiting list to see a paediatric immunologist at Fiona Stanley Hospital so he can have allergy prick testing and, if necessary, get an epipen.
But Ms Atkins said the family had been told there was a 12-month wait. She does not work because Braxton cannot go into day care unless the centre has just been professionally cleaned.
The family have set up a crowdfunded campaign to help cover the costs of seeing private specialists. It has so far raised $550, which covers the first appointment next month with a skin specialist.
To donate, go to gofundme.com/ep7man-help-brax-be-itch-free-by-2019
This article originally appeared on The West Australian.
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