E.B. asks from Orlando, FL on December 14, 2008
Advice About a Peanut Allergy?
My friend just found out that her 2 1/2-year-old son has a peanut allergy, and she's really upset about it. The pediatrician gave her an EpiPen and told her to read food labels carefully. She's feeling really scared about making a mistake or ordering food in restaurants where food may be processed in a plant that uses peanut products. I have no experience with allergies, so I was hoping I could hear from any of you who are dealing with a peanut allergy and how you proceed. I want to offer her some encouragement if I can. Thank you so much! *clarification*: Several people mentioned an allergist, and I forgot to mention that she has an appointment with an allergist, but the first available was for March. I also forgot to mention his symptoms: apparently he broke out into hives from touching peanut butter on an apple-- he hadn't even eaten it yet. So my friend is wondering if it would be much worse if he actually ate the peanut butter? Also, she lives in Massachusetts, so she's not local. Thank you so much for the responses I've already received!
So What Happened?™
Thank you so much to everyone who responded! I passed on your responses, and my friend wrote back to say that she was crying with gratitude. I love this site and I truly appreciate the wonderful women who take the time to help other moms. Thank you very much-- it means a lot.
More Answers
P.E. answers from Panama City on December 15, 2008
READ LABELS AND BE SURE PEOPLE WHO WATCH KNOE ABOUT THE PEANUT ALLEGIES AND HOW TO USE AN EPIPEN. tHEY ARE ALMOST MORON PROOF TO USE JUST JAB IT ANYWHERE TO GIVE A SECOND DOSE YOU HAVE TO TURN THE PLUNGER. I WISH MY INSULIN SHOTS WERE SO EASY. gIVING IT IF IT NOT RELLY NEED WILL NOT HARM HIM. BT ALWAYS TAKE TO ER AFTER SHOT. ALSO MY ANTI PEANUT FRIEND FOUND OUT THAT A CANDY COMPANY MAKES LARGE BARS WITH NUTS NEXT TO SMALLER ONES WITH OUT NUTS BUT THE NUT DUST GETS INTO THE SMALLER ONES. (NOT LISTED ON LABEL)
K.C. answers from Jacksonville on December 15, 2008
Tell her to email me. My son is allergic to peanuts and everything else. Also my 2 nieces are also allergic and tons of friends children. My son is 4 and we have know about allergies since he was 3 months old so I am pretty good with knowing info. She needs to go see an allergist. Pediatricians can help but seeing an allergist is alot better with info and all. Also tell her to join the food allergy network online. I can get the email. She can also see a nutritionist. does she live here in Jax. Dr. Katz at neumours is awesome......... Anytime she is unsure of labels she can also call the number onthebox and ask the company. It is so overwhelming at first but it gets better. tell her to email me. K. ____@____.com
J.W. answers from Miami on December 18, 2008
WILLIAMS GROUP OF SOUTH FLORIDA
CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO
A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
FULL of PAMPERING, FOR the MIND, THE BODY
& the SOUL
Sunday, December 21, 2008
3 p.m.
STYLES OF ELEGANCE SALON & SPA
6309 Miramar Parkway
Miramar, Florida 33023
Learn How to Bring Total Wellness Home
Physically, Financially,
Environmentally and
Personally,
DURING THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES
Via a Live, Exciting and Educational Presentation
ENJOY FREE Facials & Massages
Manicures & Pedicures $10 & up
$100 worth of FREE products
Dinner And So Much More…..
LIVE HEALTHIER!!!! ENJOY LIFE!!!!
R.S.V.P by Friday, December 19, 2008
Call J. @ ###-###-####
Attire: AN OPEN MIND
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 2
L.B. answers from Orlando on December 15, 2008
Hi E.,
I know exactly how she feels. My daughter is 5 and she has a severe allergy to peanuts. She can be around it but cannot ingest or touch them. I too was very scared and upset when I found out, which was when she was about 2 also. I felt like I did something wrong but that is far from true. What helped me to understand and be prepared was to do some research on the internet. I first found out what the reactions were should she be exposed so that I knew what to look for. Then I made a little emergency kit that goes where ever I go in my purse. It has the epipen, benadryl and emergency contact numbers for her parents, grandparents, doctors and so forth. This little bag is always with me and if she goes to someone's house it stays with her. Thank God we have never had to use the epipen but we have had to use Benadryl. Also if he is in a daycare or when he starts going to school you will want to have the same kit for him at school. Again the best preparation is to research the Allergy. She will have to read the labels on everything that could potentially have come in contact with peanuts, such as: crackers, candy, cookies, chocolate, ice cream. Mostly it is the processed stuff. As for restaurants, most places and schools are peanut free because of this allergy becoming more prevalent. The only place we stay away from is Chickfila. Though they say their peanut is refined and does not affect those with allergies, I don't want to take that chance. Also remember that if you handle or eat peanuts be sure to wash your hands and mouth and brush your teeth so that you don't touch or kiss your child and have the peanut dust react with their skin. That is how we really knew my daughter was allergic. Her grandpa would eat trailmix and the peanut dust would stay in his beard and he would kiss her and where ever he kissed her she would break out. So watch out for those beards. Really I find that over time I am not so scared because I have done my research and am prepared for anything. The biggest hurdle will be going to school but so far we have been ok. I guess it also depends on how severe the allergy is. Some children can't be around the peanut dust. Well I hope this helps and if she has any questions she or you are more than welcome to email me. By the way with your question, YES if he touched it and he broke out in hives then eating it could and would be worse. When that happens give him Benadryl, just follow the label for the dosage.
T.V. answers from Miami on December 14, 2008
I don't have personal experience with this but have a friend who is deathly allergic, and I have to say to be really careful, especially in restaurants.... even dishes that traditionally aren't made with peanuts could turn out containing them.....
My friend wanted to eat this Key Lime pie that looked really yummy... but the picture looked like it was encrusted with peanuts. So we asked the waiter who said no peanuts, and had the manager come over and confirm that there were no peanuts. Well one bite was all it took to discover that, yep, those were peanuts on the crust.
S.J. answers from Gainesville on December 15, 2008
I just wanted to say that there is hope too. My daughter was diagnosed with having a peanut allergy at 9 months old. We stayed away from anything containing peanuts and by 4 y/o her blood test showed she no longer had the allergy. One thing you do have to watch out for is foods cooked in peanut oil, especially fast food :(
Email