Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies

Hello
I am in complete shock and overwhelmed right about now.

My 3 year old son had a very bad huge break out and got sick , we took him last night for allergy testing and he is very highly allergic to peanuts and but trees

I def have a lot of reading and research to do, but can someone please send some advice, where to start etc

My household was never Nut free and we were never conscious on what we gave him to eat ingredient wise

How do I food shop? What ingredients am I keeping my eyes out for


Thank you

Re: Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies

First, relax. I know it's scary and overwhelming, but I promise you will adjust and it will be ok!

DS was 18 months old when he put pb in his mouth, spit it out, and broke out in hives. We had him tested and he is allergic to peanuts and 3 other nuts as well. We got an epi pen - several, actually. They are all over - every diaper/travel bag, my pocketbook, in the house and at day care. Did you get an rx for epi pens?

Next is just educating everyone around you - day care, babysitters, family members, etc.

You said he's 3yo. Has he ever had pb or any other nuts before? Has he been around them? Many children are allergic to ingesting them, but not when it's airborne. The latter is more serious, obviously.

As for food in the house, just start reading labels. Allergens are always in bold at the bottom of the ingredient list. We never keep any nut products in the house so that DS can't accidentally eat it.

And the last and most important part is educating him. He's old enough to start learning that he can't have nuts. At 2, we taught DS to say "no nuts" over and over and over again. It comes in handy during Halloween and other holiday times. Even when adults don't know he's allergic, teach him to say "no nuts" anytime someone offers him food. That makes them aware right away, even if he can't tell. DS also knows he is never allowed to eat anything without first showing us the food.

Also, DS had never eaten nuts and recently he asked us what a nut looks like. It didn't occur to us he wouldn't even know what to look to avoid! So now when we're food shopping, we will pass nuts and how him different ones so he knows what to avoid.

Your allergist should also be able to help you through this learning curve. Let me know if there are any other questions I can help with. Hang in there, it'll be ok!

Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies

I agree, it's overwhelming at first, but it does get easier. I think the biggest stressor I have now is navigating summer camps (worried about what they serve for lunch, crafts, and snacks).

We have nuts in our house but DS knows not to go into the cabinets. I think we made a mistake in that regard b/c now he wants us to always get him snacks and at 7 yo he's old enough to get them by himself. I feel DH is a little too loose with the nut consumption in the house (even if it's a handful, the dust can still transfer from his hands to something DS could touch).

Reading labels is mostly easy. If I see that the product has another allergen labeled, but no nuts, then I feel ok about it. However, if I see that soy or wheat is an ingredient, but it's not specified as an allergy warning, then I don't trust the product to be safe from cross contamination.

Re: Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies

Many hugs! It's completely overwhelming at first. I would definitely join some of the allergy pages on Facebook. They are wonderful about updates on changes in food and the most recent research on food allergies. It's also a great place to ask questions.

Find the Safe Snack Guide online. You will be able to see what he can and cannot have for snacks.

We are a completely nut-free house. I want home to be a safe-haven for my child and I refuse to buy anything that he cannot eat.

Be careful eating out and don't trust anyone with food. Bring your own snacks everywhere. Read labels! I cook many things from scratch now. We definitely eat less processed foods.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. We have been dealing with this for almost 5 years now.

Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies

I like the LI no nuts page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/nonutslongisland/ and this national page - https://www.facebook.com/nonutsmomsgroup/ (although it's challenging b/c only the moderator posts).

I find some FB pages overwhelming. There can be a lot of traffic and a lot of times it's people asking the same questions over and over - which gets tiring. So I mainly just use the ones I listed above and the OIT pages (desensitization treatment that over time lets your child consume nuts so you can feel safe about accidental exposure. It's a huge time commitment, and definitely scary to think about, but it's something that might be an option down the road).

Re: Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies

thank you
i woke up this morning all mind boggled

I did make an apt w another allergist, one that will help my family understand and answer questions etc.

I found a few lists online and now its about educating my family etc

thanks again, and i will join those groups

Message edited 2/15/2017 1:00:10 PM.

Re: Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies

Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies

all great advice posted above. the facebook groups have been a huge support group for me and i've learned a lot. the thing i have found is that every allergy parent is different when it comes to how they handle their kid's allergies and what foods they can/can't eat. you need to decide for yourself whether you will be a nut free house or keep nuts in the house and away from your child. you will need to decide which food companies you feel confident with their labeling of allergens and which restaurants you feel comfortable eating at. it takes time, but you will get there. for now, read as much as you can. FARE website has some great resources. is your child in daycare? let family, daycare, ped, friends, etc know.

as for food shopping, read ALL labels. and not just the bold at the bottom. i know it's confusing but companies are actually not required to label for allergens unless they are ingredients. for example, they are not required to label if food is made on the same equipment as food with nuts, or made in the same facility. it's very frustrating. but with allergies being so common now, a lot of companies are starting to label better or have allergy info on their website. you could also call and speak to their customer service.

good luck! there are plenty of us food allergy parents here so feel free to ask with any questions.

Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies

Oh and another thing... we eat out a lot but tend to go to the same places (mainly Americana and Italian). I would highly suggest never letting your child eat from an Asian restaurant (Indian, Thai, or Chinese). They cook with nuts and there's no guarantee that the kitchen is safe from cross contamination. I know some people that are ok with PF Chang's b/c they're pretty diligent about food allergies, but I still won't take the chance.

I also never get anything from ice cream places like Carvel, but I feel safer with self serve yogurt (like Red Mango) if you ask them about how they clean their machines each night. Places like that are usually good about letting you have toppings out of the back since buffet style is usually unsafe.

There are peanut free cupcakes, cookies, and brownies available at Stop & Shop, and there are a few safe bakeries on LI.

Re: Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies

wow, didnt even think of all these things
esp carvel and ice cream

thanks for all the info

Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies

Hi! My DD 3 is Anaphylactic to Sesame and My DS 15 months is Anaphylactic to peanut. It is very overwhelming when you get the diagnosis and I have found information is crucial. FARE has a fantastic website with tons of resources for information. We chose to clean house and got rid of anything that was not SAFE! We also stick to certain restaurants that are trusted for food allergies. Read every single label that comes through your door and be diligent about what people bring and offer your kids. I am chairing the FARE walk this October and it always fantastic to get out and meet other allergy moms in the area and have your kids meet kids with similar allergies! Feel free to PM me anytime and I would be happy to help!

Re: Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies

My daughter is class V for milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame. We found out at 4 months and she is 2.5 now. I was EBF and she had terrible eczema and when the dermatologist couldn't get it under control, we went to the allergist for skin and blood testing. It is overwhelming at first but you already got great advice above. My biggest fear is school and play dates when she's older and I won't be there.

Message edited 2/17/2017 9:50:33 PM.

Re: Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies