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!
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.
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 :(
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.
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.
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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
She just has to read labels and carry the epipens (both of them, the jr. comes in a 2 pack) everywhere she goes. In restaurants I'd stick to simple stuff like mac/cheese, or grilled cheese sandwich which are both pretty safe. And also YES it would be MUCH WORSE and possibly life threatening if he ate it. It's very stressful when your child has food allergies, you just have to always be on the ball and notify any one who is caring for him of it!
Hi E.,
My 4 1/2 yr old daughter was diagnoised when she was 3. We noticed a problem when she was around. Since you did not mention his symptons or what outbreaks he has had this is what I can tell you. First he should be seen by a pediatric allergist. My pediatrician sent us to one who properly diagnosed her. He will have more information and do a skin test to check for about 30 other food allergies. My daughter does not stop breathing when she comes on contact with peanuts but she breaks out in hives and itches if she has them on her skin. But we still have the Epipen and we do benadryl if she breaks out. We are careful but it does not rule her life. Her class has a no peanut rule and she sits next to the teacher at lunch since p&j sandwiches are available everyday at school.
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)
Hey there. My daughter is 25 months. She was about 20 months when she was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy, and prescribed the epipen.
We knew she was allergic much before this time, but we didn't know how allergic she was. When she was 12 months, her dad was eating a pb&j sandwich. She wanted some, so he gave her some of the bread with a tiny bit of peanut butter on it. All around her mouth broke out. Well, we were suspicious, but not certain what that was. So, the next time she was around peanut butter, we let her try it and the same thing happened. After that, we realized we should probably keep her away from it. Well, on Easter we went to a cousin's house for egg hunting. The eggs had those little chocolates that are half chocolate and half pb. My daughter took a bite before we realized what it was, and she began to break out. This time the break out was worse. Her whole face had hives. Even her eyes were all red. We decided to go home and get her some Benadryl. On the short drive home we turned around to find her unresponsive. We called her name with no response. We lifted her arm only to watch it fall. Her tongue was hanging out of her mouth and she was drooling. We were about to lose our minds. Finally, I jabbed my fingers down her throat and she repsonded. After that, she was okay. We knew then that she was in trouble when it came to peanuts.
The thing about peanut allergies is that it is said that the more exposure, the worse the allergy. Some people are exposed so much without being aware and then get to the point where they get sick just smelling it. So, tell your friend that he will definitely react if he ingests it.
ALSO, being that peanuts are legumes, tell your friend to watch out for other legumes. We found out last week that my daughter is also allergic to lentils and pinto beans. The reaction was not nearly as severe as the peanut reaction. I don't know if she is allergic to all beans, but I don't really care to try anymore.
I am sorry for your friend. I understand her fear. I had a horrible and very real dream about my daughter and her allergy. It's very scary, but I think as we get to understand and know the allergy better, we will find a little more comfort.
