Peanut Allergy - Scottsdale,AZ

I think that the safest thing is to completely eliminate nuts. I know it's a pain (my son tested as a 3+ for peanuts), but it's way better safe than sorry. I think that some nuts may cross react (for example, kids that are allergic to peanuts are almost always allergic to some extent to sesame seeds because the oils/proteins chemically similar). Also, facilities that use peanuts often use other nuts in other products, and that "trace of peanuts or tree nuts" might just be one of the ones he tested a 6 for.... a just a trace of that could be enough to cause anaphylactic (sp) shock.

At least get rid of anything that has "traces" until you can get a a call in, and call back from, your pediatrician, or better yet, from your allergist.

My 4 year old daughter has a peanut allergy. We found out shortly before she turned 2. Over the last 2 1/2 years we have strictly avoided peanuts and anything made in a facility with or on peanut equipment. Fortunately her reactions have only been skin reactions, no anaphalaxis. As we monitor her blood levels (every 6 mo), her last two showed no signs of a peanut allergy - a great sign that she has outgrown it. We did a peanut challenge at the hospital where every 20min she was given a dose of peanut flour mixed with applesauce. Each dose was a little more than the last and we did this for 4 hours - no reaction! We drove home and when she got home she had head to toe rash, hives and her ears, face, wrists and ankles were swollen.
My point is, that when it comes to peanut, tree nut and shellfish allergies it really doesn't matter at what level you test at - any amount you eat could cause a serious reaction. (according to what I've read, heard from our allergist, and from talking with others)
Some seem to believe that each exposure to the allergen will cause a more severe reaction than the last time. Whether that's true or not, I don't know.
It's very important to carry one if not two epi-pens and Benadryl with you at all times. Explain to others who watch your son the seriousness of the allergy and how and when to use the epi-pen and or Benadryl.
In our house my kids love to eat Sunflower Butter and Jelly sandwiches.
www.foodallergy.com is a great resource.

OOPS! I MEANT TO WRITE www.foodallergy.org is a GREAT RESOURCE

ooh This is a complicated question. The more a child is exposed to an allergen the more allergic they become to it. I would keep him away from all nuts until you clerify with an allergenist. My son has a stage 3 egg yolk allergy and a stage 4 egg white allergy whom cannot come into contact with eggs at all, not even cooked ones, while a friend whoes child has a stage 6 egg allergy can come in contact with egg but cannot eat it or he will vomit while my child has reactive airway. Her son has a stage 1 to cats and cannot touch them and my sone also has a stage 1 to cats and has no reaction at all.

My son also had a blood test at 1 yr old that stated he was allergic to milk, egg yolk, soy, peanuts, and dog. his skin test said he was not allergic to soy or peanuts, or milk.

Have you seen an allergenist, has he had a skin test done? I feel the skin test is more accurate.

Hi,

I am glad your son is OK. Please just educate yourself with his food allergy. When my daughter had an anaphylactic reaction, we found out it was to peanuts. She is a 0 to all tree nuts, but a 3-4 on peanuts. One mom already told you about FAAN. You should sign up for their automatic food allergy alerts. They are incredibly helpful. Also, you will need to educate others about his allergy. You will learn to read all labels every time you purchase items. You will need to ask when going out to dinner about tree nuts. Your allergist can tell you if it is safe for your son to eat items that say "made on the same equipment that processes tree nut products", as well as if it is safe for him to eat foods that "may contain traces". Divvies.com is a great place to get candy and baked goods that are safe for your son. Just let everyone know about his allergy and the more you talk about it the more you will find it is unfortunately becoming more and more common. You can e-mail me directly if you have any questions, or just need to talk.

Warmly,
P.