First a disclaimer - I am not an allergist, or a doctor....but I do
specialise in the day job (writer, journalist) in infant feeding issues,
and I have written and read around the topic of allergies and spoken to
specialists in the field.

In the UK, many specialists would, I think, be highly wary, even
suspicious,  of an allergist who could make such dogmatic assertions about
an 8 month old baby - allergic to wheat, soy, eggs, according to Dianne's
client.  How was the testing done?  I myself would be wary of someone who
sounds so sure of his ground that he would recommend weaning or a highly
restrictive diet to the mother - and had no other advice to give, or
investigations to offer.

The symptoms described could be anything - all babies have the occasional
clear runny nose, and a cough from time to time which produces mucus, and
the rash on the face could be  from dribbling with teething  - that can
make some babies' cheeks and chins red raw. Rash on the wrists could be
sensitivity to fabric conditioner. Anything!  Has this baby picked up bugs
from the older sibling, or from daycare? Are the symptoms linked with the
start of solid foods?

First step would be a second opinion, IMHO!

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK