Katie has a peanut allergy :o(

kristen80 · February 2012

For some reason, I never thought I would have the kid with the peanut allergy, but I do! It's pretty much the only source of protein Jake will eat, so this is a tough one for us. We're going to make her an appointment w/ Children's Hospital's Allergy Specialists (we're SO lucky and there's a satellite office in the next town over). I'm just really sad for her and scared, especially where she's starting daycare at the end of the month. I just emailed the director requesting that her classroom become peanut-free so we'll see how that goes. I don't want to be seen as a PITA, but now that I'm the mom on the other side of the coin I need to do everything I can to keep her safe.

Any words of wisdom or encouragement from the trenches??

AngLK987 · February 2012

Oh NO! That is one of my bigger fears. MH lives off peanut butter... Allergies can be so scary! How did you find out? I hope that it wasn't a scary episode where she stopped breathing or something. That's probably the worst point of my fear, that I'll be eating something that DD is allergic to and she'll go into anaphalactic (Sp?) shock because of me

kristen80 · February 2012

I found out because I gave her a teeny little bit of PB (like a pea-sized amount) about a week ago. Jake was eating it and she really wanted some so I figured why not since she's almost 1, which is the new age recommendation based on new research on food allergies. She was fine for hours, went to bed that night with no hives or any issues, then woke up covered in hives the next morning. My pediatrician said her reaction was odd in that so many hours lapsed between eating peanuts and having a reaction, and also because there was no redness or swelling of her mouth/lips.

We ended up getting a blood panel done and she's not allergic to any other nuts but just peanuts. I'm going to take her to Children's Hospital because I know they're doing so many experimental treatments to overcome peanut allergies, I would love to participate in them and see her able to eat whatever she wants someday!

danieleandwayne · February 2012

My nephew has a SEVERE milk allergy (plus tree nuts and some other allergies). If you ever need support or suggestions or great web sites, I can get you in contact with my sister (she's in SoPo)-- my sister is a research fiend and is very willing to share the fruits of her labours. She has found awesome products and recipes and food alternatives over the years.

She also has had to fight some good fights to ensure her son is not exposed to milk unnecessarily (seriously, touching a couple drops to his skin could kill him), so she can also share those experiences if you are having doubts at all.

There are some great resources out there... I hope it's not a severe allergy, though, and that she can grow out of it!

MrsHahn11062010 · February 2012

Our school uses sunbutter as an alternative to peanut butter. That may be an option of something you can keep around for Jake if you want to eliminate PB from your house but still give him the protein.

mesa81 · February 2012

My biggest fear too... my family loves their PB. There are ton of resources out there-- just type in food allergy into FB and I'm sure there are a few groups. I'm so sorry!!

shuga_23 · February 2012

I'm hoping the Children's Hospital can help! Poor little Katie and poor Mumma!!

maeghan21 · February 2012

Oh how everything you wrote was me (and still is) a few months back when we found out Caroline is allergic to peanuts. Only peanuts as well. We found a wonderful allergist who actually teaches at Harvard and is sought out for his ways of treatments. Randomly, he lives in Falmouth! Bad part? He disagrees with the limited research out there that says giving small increments of peanuts will overcome an allergy. If you actually look at those assumptions, there has been very limited research (like testing 30 people) and they weren't substantiated. There is a vaccine they are coming out with that, probably when DD is about 8, will be available which will help with her symptoms. She is anaphylatic and we are armed with an Epi pen and Clariten Ready tabs. We'll go once a year to skin test her (we did the blood and then skin test) to determine if the allergy is reducing or getting worse. The big timeline is between 1-5. BUT, it's only a 1/5 chance that she'll outgrow any allergy and peanuts are the worst so the prognosis isn't great.

We found out when I gave her a small bit and she loved it. I turned around to slice an orange for her and when I turned back she had hives on her mouth. She wasn't bothered by it and didn't have respiratory problems, but apparently they are in our future. I LIVED off peanut butter. Was the only protein I ate during pregnant (which now thanks to Kate Middleton I feel like I caused!) We have absolutely no allergies in any side of the family. It's just becoming more predominant in kids for some reason.

This is a great website and was recommended by both her Ped and Allergist.

http://www.foodallergy.org/

If you wanna chat you can reach me on FB. This has definitely been a learning experience. I also didn't realize just whole encompassing a peanut allergy was! Flying was so much fun let me tell you Going out to eat is doable, but good bye 5 Guys, Ruby Tuesdays, Mexican and any Asian foods. Oh! A biggie, washing things wont denature the protein. You have to use a vinegar/water combo to actually get rid of the peanut butter. So, sanitary on a dishwasher wont do anything.

Stacey+1 · February 2012

Get rid of the peanut butter and any peanut products. Switch to SunButter or another peanut butter alternative. Start label reading.

Go to www.foodallergy.org, www.kidswithfoodallergies.org, and www.peanutfreezone.com to learn about safety and tips for daycare/school.

PS- Who cares if anyone thinks you're a PITA, it's your daughter's safety you're looking out for!

meganmarieCA · February 2012

I don't have any advice to add, but just want to echo the "who cares what others think" comments. It's your right to be uber-proactive about your children's safety!

Oh, and almond butter is really really tasty. Owen's first daycare required me to pack a lunch, and they were peanut-free. I made the switch to almond butter and he never noticed.

kristen80 · February 2012

Thanks for all the support! She has an appt next Thursday so I'm really looking forward to hearing what the allergist has to say. We also got an Rx for Epi Pens today so that makes me feel better too.

So Meaghan, what are the Claritin tabs you have? Are they like Benadryl? Also, how do you wash your dishes if vinegar is the only thing that works? Do you have to put it in the dishwasher?

Thanks!! )

maeghan21 · February 2012

The Claritin Ready tabs are great for kids because they dissolve, you don't have to worry about them chewing or swallowing. I keep some in my purse, in her diaper bag and of course in the same bag I have the Epi pen and instructions. Just easier then benadryl. Her allergist mentioned them and I'm glad. We've had to use them a couple of times, even when we thought we had taken care of everything.

We washed all of our dishes with vinegar the first couple of times by pouring it in the dishwasher. After that, we didn't have peanut butter in the house. If we go to someone's house where they have peanut butter we go as far as washing the plate and utensil with vinegar. Before family really understood, I even carried a little travel sized container of it. I also carry a small plate and fork with me. Oh, two other restaurants that are big no nos, one of which makes me very sad. No Friendly's. Too much cross contamination, same as Johnny Rockets.

Umm, so much to say. Oh when you pick up the Epi pen. Check the expiration date. Even with good insurance they can be pricey. Drugstores will try and give you one that expires in like 3 months and you'll hopefully not have to use it that soon. I made sure to get one that was good for 9-12 months so you aren't constantly checking the expiration date! We showed everyone how to use it and include directions and emergency contact numbers etc for her. When she gets older and hit pre-school they have really cute new emergency bracelets that are like the rubber Armstrong yellow ones are pink breast cancer ones. A little more kid friendly than the metal ones.

Oh, I hope Jake likes the alternatives. It's going to be harder for a sibling to deal with this! We hate the sunbutter, almond butter, soy but butter and so does Caroline. Oh did she loves those 45 seconds of peanut butter though

Katie has a peanut allergy :o(

Re: Katie has a peanut allergy :o(

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