Help with Peanut Allergies

Morning L.,

My son was diagnosed at age 1, he is 10 now. He does have an epi-pen which is probably outdated, (bad mom). He had two really bad episodes where his throat began to close and he needed an IV, since then he can smell a peanut from a mile away. However, he is determined to beat this allergy and I have caught him trying to taste peanut butter in small amounts. His throat no longer closes, but he will throw up shortly after. I have discovered that almost everything is processed in a plant that processes peanuts. He can read and is aware of this and even tells me "I can't eat that, it has peanuts in it.

I found something strange starting a couple of years ago, he can eat walnuts, almonds and pecans. I plan to do some research on this.

Hi L. -

As the mom of an allergic-to-peanuts child and an employee of the American Red Cross, I thought I'd offer up my best suggestion to you - get trained in first aid and CPR. An epi-pen is a necessity, but it's just as important for you to know how to save your child's life should you be in a situation where your epi-pen is not available or the medication wears off before advanced medical intervention can be accessed. Let me know if you'd like more information about how to get trained.

E.

Hi L.,

Sorry to hear about your daughter's recent diagnosis. Of all the food allergies, I believe that peanut is one of the most dangerous. Did her doctor/allergist prescribe an EpiPen Jr. for you to keep just in case?

If you have never been a mom who reads food labels, you will be now. You need to watch out for EVERYTHING. My daughter was diagnosed at 1 year old with a peanut allergy (she's also allergic to wheat and eggs).

You''ll find a weath of information if you visit the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) at www.foodallergy.org. There's alot of great information out there.

All FDA-regulated manufactured food products that contain peanut as an ingredient are required by U.S. law to list the word "peanut" on the product label, so that should make it a little bit easier for you when you shop. Don't buy anything that says "shared on the same equipment as..." or "produced in the same facility as..." because then concerns about cross-contamination arise.

You'll want to avoid all nuts ~ tree nuts included, because often they're produced in the same facility. Nougat, African and Asian foods (especially Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Thai, and Vietnamese), and Mexican dishes.

Be vigilant when you go places. You may want to call ahead and make sure that it's a safe environment (allergy-wise of course).

Your doctor/allergist should also be able to provide you with written information about the allergy. If she's merely seeing a pediatrician/family practitioner who doesn't normally deal with food allergies, please find an allergist.

This was quite wordy, sorry, but I do hope it's what you were looking for. If you should want to ask any questions, please feel free to e-mail me.

God bless and I pray that you and your daughter, along with the rest of your family, are well.

My daughter was just diagnoised in July with a peanut allergy. We just follow the list her allergist gave us and haven't found any difficulties in following it.

Have you joined the Food Allergy and Anaphlaxis Network? They have alot of good information and resources.

L.,

I don't know if you are aware, but many movie theaters now use peanut oil to pop the popcorn. Depending on how sensitive your daughter is to peanuts you may not be able to take her to the theater.

Also, if you are going to fast food restaurants you may want to go on-line and look at the nutritional menus posted on their websites to see what oils are used in the cooking process.

My grocery store now uses peanut oil to cook the fried chicken, so you will want to check with your store before bringing home dinner.

Just remember to read labels religiously and if you don't know what is in a product or how it is cooked, then stay away from it entirely.

Good luck!

-C..

My daughter is 4 and was diagnosed with a peanut allergy at 1. Read ALL labels very carfully and educate any one that watches her. I would also have lots of snacks available to her b/c more and more snacks say processed in a plant with peanuts. My daughter has not been able to eat things when we are at friends house or school. She has her own goody bag to choose from. Also when we go out to eat we always tell the waitress from the beginning that she has the allergy. Be care full with chicken tenders b/c they use the same oil to fry other foods that may contain nuts. good luck!

My nephew is allergic to all nuts (tree nuts, peanuts, etc) and the hardest thing for my sister to keep track of is the stuff that doesn't have nut listed in the ingredients but has been manufactured in a plant that handles nut products. Sometimes it's on the label and sometimes it's just a matter of knowing the brands that aren't safe. He has had reactions from stuff that didn't say nut on the label so she just keeps a running list of what brands he can't have. Daycamps and daycares as well often are not equipped to administer an epipen in the case of an emergency so that often limits what activities he can participate in as well. He's only 4 and isn't ready to self-administer his own shots. Also, every restaurant, bakery, deli, theater, ice cream shop, etc has to be asked to make sure they don't use peanut oil in any of their cooking products or if they will use nut-free utensils to serve. If a spatula serves food with nuts or nut oil and then serves his burger, he can't have it. If an ice cream scoop touches ice cream with nuts and then scoops his vanilla cone, he can't have it. Some places are happy to accommodate and other places just patronize her like she is being hyper-vigilante and don't take her seriously. Good luck and don't be afraid to be that parent that asks questions and demands to know the REAL answer for sure, rather than just accepting some minimum wage counter person who doesn't want to be bothered to do the leg work required to find out the real answer!

My daughter is 11 years old and has been allergic to peanuts and tree nuts since she has been 2 years old. The most IMPORTANT thing I could tell you is to AVOID anything with nuts and READ READ READ all labeling and watch out for the things that have added nut derivatives. If you are not familar there is a very good source called The Food Allergy and Analphalaxis Network. I would be more than happy to answer any other questions you may have. And one more thing always carry an Epi-pen for her where ever she goes.