A couple weeks ago my son had a small, seemlingly insignificant reaction to a bite of my peanut butter/honey sandwich. (These have become a staple in my pregnancy diet. I LOVE them). I didn't think much of it and chalked it up to something else he'd eaten that day. Last Sunday he had a bite of my waffle that had peanut butter on it, no P.B. on the bite he had, but it was on the rest of the waffle. He immediately threw up all over and then starting breathing very shallow, raspy breaths and his lips turned and frightening shade of blue.
We made an appointment with an allergist and lo and behold, my poor little guy has a peanut allergy. I've decided there's nothing worse for your sweet little ones to be allergic to. I don't know if you knew this, but it seems like EVERY single food is created with, near or in something peanuty. This knowledge has really caused a radical lifestyle change in the Koudelka home, which is totally worth it if we can prevent a reaction like the ones we've experienced so far. I'm slowly starting to become an "expert" in the peanut allergy field, but was wondering if anyone else knew more about these allergies and foods that are "allowed" in his diet. We're still in the experimental stage trying to determine just how sensitive his body is, so any new information would be much appreciated!
7 comments:
I don't know if I have any information to give, but I'll tell you it gets a LOT easier as you go along. My two year old son is allergic to milk, eggs, and peanuts and given a choice, I'd take just peanuts any day! The more you read labels and start buying foods without peanuts the more you realize it isn't a big deal.
We use sunflower seed butter as a substitute and you can hardly tell the difference! Plus, on most food labels, right underneath all the ingredients they have a list of all the allergen information so it's a lot easier to tell if it has something your son can't have. They'll also say if it was manufactured in a facility, or on the same equipment, that peanuts have been on and it's best to avoid that altogether.
Two things to watch out for:
1)Some restaurants cook some foods in peanut oil, although most menus will tell you that in advance. But be especially careful at a Chinese restaurant.
2)Don't let anyone else give him food! Other people won't think twice about a food allergy like you will now with your son (and other kids). You really have to keep an eye on him while he's around other kids, too.
Sorry, I really didn't mean to make this sooooo long but I was so overwhelmed when we first found out, I didn't think our son would be able to eat anything at all! But, it's been almost a year and I feel like we've almost got things down to a science.
I have to say, to see that for the first time, that would be so scary. It sounds like you've handled it SOOOO well.
From what I know, you are far from alone. This is becoming so much more common. My doc told me not to even try peanut anything with the babe until age 2.
I worked at a school that was well-known for how they handle allergies. I think this is becoming the wave for most schools which I think is great news for you. We were all trained how to use and Epi-pen. I knew specifically every student in elementary school with this allergy and had printed sheets on each of them with their picture and specific info. Tables at lunch were specifically labeled peanut-free zones for those seated there with that allergy. The food served in the cafeteria never served anything with peanuts but students could make a special request for a PB & J (of course only if they were not seated in the peanut-free zone). On kids' birthdays, the only treat parents could bring in was fresh fruit.
I think people are becoming MUCH more aware and sensitive to this situation.
Bummer, Stace!
good luck Staci!
Linz, I have heard the 2 years thing about starting nuts with kids but I've given M nuts before but haven't worried because there are no food allergies in our families. Is that wrong? Is the 2 year thing for everyone or just ones with family histories of food allergies? anyone know?
Liz&Meg, I just had this question answered at the Pedi's at my little one's 1 yr appt. She said that the largest risk factor is family history, and so if there are absolutely no food allergies in your families (there aren't in either my husbands or mine) then you'll probably be ok. She actually said they are recommending waiting until the age of THREE, however almost all children are exposed before that (because of all the things that contain peanuts, peanut oil, etc.) In her opinion, it didn't matter so much when they were exposed, because she said if a child was going to be allergic, they'd be allergic at the age of three just the same as one or two. The key is picking up on the allergy whenever it happens. That's just her opinion though, I guess you can never be too careful...
Stace, thumbs up for being so on top of things. The only things I can think of to add are 1)reactions tend to get more serious the more you have. I don't say that to scare you, just so you will be prepared. Make sure you always have an epi-pen with you 2)Don't assume other people will be looking out for you. My friend recently had a reaction after eating a bagel from Panera, that had ground up nuts in the topping which was called apple streusle, or something, it said nothing about nuts. They could have sued!
Good luck!
Thanks for the great info, Stephanie!
I am an attorney who represents a client who had a very dangerous experience at Panera. He ordered a turkey sandwich that had Romescu sauce. He suffered an immediate reaction as the sauce, without notice, contained nuts. If you have had a similar experience, please contact me. Joel D. Joseph. Joeldjoseph@gmail.com.
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