A nurse failed to spot a boy's potentially deadly nut allergy reaction, instead blaming his itchy hands and feet on his trainers.

Pauline Green, 60, sent the seven-year-old and his mother away from Uckfield Community Hospital's minor injury unit as the boy's condition deteriorated until he went blue and shaky, an inquiry was told.

As the boy paled and his eyes became bloodshot, Green told the mother, referred to only as Mrs A, his symptoms were caused by his trainers, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) was told yesterday.

The boy, known as Patient A, was only given adrenalin shots when his mother, also a nurse, rushed him to her GP.

Mrs Green has admitted failing to take adequate observations from the schoolboy and failing to adequately record his symptoms and treatment.

She denies a further charge of failing to respond in a caring manner to Mrs A's concerns.

Mrs Green also denied misconduct at the first day of the hearing in London.

Katrina Wingfield, for the NMC, said Patient A tucked into a chocolate-covered Brazil nut on August 10, 1999, while he was at home in Sussex with his mother.

She said: "Having eaten the chocolate, he became distressed and claimed the nut was stuck in his throat. His mother, Mrs A, gave him some bread and water.

"She was concerned that, although he had not previously exhibited adverse reactions to nuts, that might be what was happening.

"She went with him and her other son straight to Uckfield Community Hospital.

"Initially, she found it difficult finding staff but found Mrs Green sitting in an office.

"She explained she didn't know if the nut was stuck or if Patient A was suffering from an allergic reaction.

"Her son seemed to get worse. His eyes became bloodshot and he was pale and withdrawn. His hands and feet began to itch and Mrs A became increasingly concerned about this.

"She informed Mrs Green, who said, 'I'm not surprised in those trainers'."

Mrs Green, employed by Eastbourne and County Healthcare NHS Trust, looked in the boy's mouth with a scope, the hearing was told.

But Mrs Wingfield said: "She didn't appear to make any further observations. Mrs Green made contact with the duty GP who happened that night to be Mrs A's GP.

"She then sent Mrs A back to the surgery. By the time Mrs A arrived, her son was slightly blue and shaking.

"On observing the child the GP immediately administered adrenalin and he made a full recovery."

The boy, now 11, was later found to have an allergy to nuts and was suffering from a reaction on that day, the hearing was told.

Mrs Wingfield said: "The doctor wasn't given any information by Mrs Green that the child also had a possible allergy to wool and dairy products."

Mrs A told the hearing: "My impression was she was annoyed she was there. I felt she wasn't taking me very seriously."

Mrs Green, who denied misconduct, was not present to hear her punishment.

She was given a caution, which will remain on record for five years, for failing to spot the boy's nut allergy.

She was not struck off the medical register but plans to retire in two weeks.