Peanut Allergy - Euless,TX

I have a 2 1/2-year-old with peanut allergy, and I've known for about 2 years. Her father has the same allergy and it's quite severe in his case.

This allergy is known to get progressively worse with each exposure, so not having a severe reaction doesn't mean it won't happen later. About 80% of children won't grow out of a peanut allergy. Your doctor may tell you to invest in an Epipen to be on the safe side.

I would say avoid peanuts, peanut flour, peanut oil and things processed with peanuts. Peanut particles are easily airborne and can contaminate things in proximity easily.

Personally, I have noticed a reaction from foods processed on the same EQUIPMENT, but haven't noticed a reaction from foods processed in the same FACTORY. Most advice says to avoid both though.

You really can't be TOO careful. Other people (in social situations) won't get it right away, since this isn't very common.

Best of luck! Feel free to send a message if you have any particular question.

Hi C.,

My 16 month old son is allergic to peanuts and I only found out in November when he was first exposed to Peanut Butter. I have to carry around an EpiPen because his first reaction was very severe (Pediatrician said).

In December, I had him allergy tested... they don't have to do the back pricking to do the tests, they will draw blood from a child and test it independently. Anyway, the results came back as a "Severe Allergy."

The allergist said it would "probably" be ok for him to eat things that were manufactured in the same factory because the dust particles are usually too small. My son's pediatrician also said that it would be ok for my son to go to restaurants that have peanuts on the table, just as long as he didn't eat it. But the dust particles in the air would probably be fine. But I also have the EpiPen on me at all times just in case.

I would discuss with your pediatrician and/or allergist any concerns you may have. Peanut Allergy is a major health problem.

Good luck!
L.

My daughter is 5. We found out when she was 2 1/2. Our experience is some products are exposed to peanuts because of processing and some of these products have caused her to react. It seems really to depend upon the processing which is not something that is consistently the same so we just avoid everything. I have noticed, the less expensive products such as the foods made by the stores that they carry as their own brand, are more likely to cause reactions than the foods where its made by a company and thats the only product they make. Hope this makes sense. They are in the process of making a vaccine that will help with peanut allergies. Say it should be ready in about five years. Our biggest problem has been her trying to eat candy that other kids are eating. Even at 5 she wants to eat something and she knows it will make her sick but hey its candy. Good luck.

K.

My son is also allergic to peanuts. We found out when he was a little over a year and he is 5 now. At the time we first found out, his numbers were off the chart. The doc told us at the time to tell EVERYONE that would ever come in contact with him that he is allergic. We were told to avoid everything as well as tree nuts. We taught my son a saying "If mom/dad can't read it then you can't eat it" meaning that if we can't read the ingredients then he can't eat it. We were very honest about how bad his reactions could be.

Good luck!

My daugher, who is 3, has a tree nut allergy. I learned that peanuts are actually legumes because they come from the ground. I take my daughter to Family Allergy in Flower Mound. They told me to read ALL labels and NOT to give her anything that has been manufactured in a facility with a tree nut and a peanut. The reason being is that a tree nut could come in contact with a peanut. Its just awful, but you will get very used to reading labels. I know that a lot of fast food is deep fried in peanut oils (Chick-fi-La). I also have to be very careful when my daughter goes to someone elses home and to birthday parties. I have to bring my own cupcake for her, Best wishes to you. You will get used to reading labels and everything will be okay. M.

Your best resource is probably the doctor that diagnosed the problem. My son had had several breakouts (where his eye was swelling) and after the 2nd time, I asked his pediatrician to test him for allergies. She said that he was too young. I found a pediatric allergist and had him tested and found that he was allergic to peanuts (also a 3) and eggs. In talking to the doctor about what that meant, he said that it did not mean that he could not have anything with eggs/peanuts, but that I should not allow him to have them multiple times within a week or so. Because of the previous problems, I erred on the side of caution though and have not given him any peanuts. He has had foods with eggs in them, though and we have not had any more issues.

My 2 1/2 year old daughter is allergic to peanuts. We found out when she was about 14 months old. She had eaten a PBJ sandwich without any reaction, but on the second peanut butter sandwich a few months later, she had a bad reaction. She is the only person in my family to have a peanut allergy so we weren't aware of the risks and wish we had waited until she was a little older to expose her to peanut butter.

We carry an epi-pen and avoid all items that have "processed in a plant that also processes peanuts and/or tree nuts." It's just not worth the risk in my opinion. Our pediatrician told us the story of one of his patients who ate a brownie at a soccer game thinking the nuts were walnuts. The mom who made them used peanuts instead, and the girl went into severe shock and almost died. So I now read every label very carefully and don't let her eat anything that we can see the label for (e.g. cake at a friend's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese, etc.). I carry peanut-free treats with me in case we're in a situation where she feels left out. Enjoy Life makes foods that do not contain any peanuts or other foods that are known to cause allergies. Namaste (another peanut-free food company) makes a great chocolate cake mix that my daughter (and the rest of us) really like.

Good luck.
S.