Peanut allergy moms--treenut question

[DrSally]

So, our allergist wants DS to eat Treenuts. She said that she's seen where people who aren't allergic avoid and avoid, and then develop an allergy. I guess I've seen some stuff to that effect. But, we've always avoided peanuts and treenuts out of caution that #1 they can be mixed up, #2 I thought there was virtually always cross contamination with tree nuts and peanuts?

If we were to start doing this (he's tested neg for treenuts), we would not have others give him treenuts (just continue to tell others no peanuts/treenuts) to prevent confusion. So, I asked her how I was supposed to know that a particular treenut was not processed in a facility with peanuts. e.g, she said she wanted him to be able to eat a bearclaw with almonds in it, and such. First of all, I would not give him anything from a bakery b/c of the chance of peanut contamination. She told me to go to the co-op and find things that I trust. Like what? Most items with treenuts have them added in, KWIM? So, it's not like the package is going to say, these treenuts have not been processed with peanuts, even if the end product was not processed with peanuts. I guess there are specific almond butters that state they aren't made in a facility with peanuts. It's just very scary for me to think about adding in nuts.

The allergist said that her son is allergic to 2 treenuts (can't remember which ones), but she gives him other treenuts and peanuts. She said, he asks, "No nuts, right mom?", and she just gives the green light. She said, she's very "cavalier" about it. I thought that was strange, but maybe her son has never had an anaphalactic reaction.

[almostamom]

DS is anaphylactic to peanuts and treenuts, so I'm not much help, but I wonder why you wouldn't just start with a tiny amount of the treenut (almond, pecan, etc) if you could find one that isn't cross-contaminated with peanuts? Personally, I would only have DS try it in the doctor's office, but that's because I have seen him have a reaction in a food challenge. Good luck!

Linda

[DrSally]

DS is anaphylactic to peanuts and treenuts, so I'm not much help, but I wonder why you wouldn't just start with a tiny amount of the treenut (almond, pecan, etc) if you could find one that isn't cross-contaminated with peanuts? Personally, I would only have DS try it in the doctor's office, but that's because I have seen him have a reaction in a food challenge. Good luck!

Linda

Well, I guess I'm wondering if those treenuts have been packaged/processed in a plant with peanuts. I haven't seen too many cans of nuts that have a peanut warning on them. I guess I've always heard that treenuts are almost always processed with peanuts.

[almostamom]

Well, I guess I'm wondering if those treenuts have been packaged/processed in a plant with peanuts. I haven't seen too many cans of nuts that have a peanut warning on them. I guess I've always heard that treenuts are almost always processed with peanuts.

I'm certain that neither you nor I have any cans of almonds in our pantries to check ;), but I would go look at the store and call the manufacturer. The times that I've had to call about ingredients, the manufacturers have been extremely helpful. I think that trying something like a bearclaw or anything made in a bakery or candy store is pointless due to cross-contamination. Do you know anyone with a pecan tree?

Linda

[DrSally]

:) Yeah, I guess it's just really scary for me to think of introducing something so closely associated with peanuts. I can do what I do with everything else, call the manufacturer. Whether I'll trust that info enough to feel comfortable is another story, sigh.

[brgnmom]

Hi Sally,
I'm glad that you're being cautious about this matter. After witnessing my sister go through her first anaphalactic reaction at a restaurant and taking her to the ER under life-threatening conditions, I have become very conservative with regards to peanut allergies. My sister is allergic to peanut oil and needs to carry around an epi-pen with her, especially when she goes out to eat, because not all restaurants inform customers that they use peanut oil in some of their dishes. She has had two additional reactions as a result. The one abroad in Europe was scary, but thankfully her DH was there to help. It was just a PITA to deal with health insurance issues afterwards.

I would avoid treenuts altogether unless you can find a way to firmly guarantee that the treenut product was not manufactured in a facility with peanuts. It's good that you're doing what you're comfortable with, rather than simply following the allergist's advice.

[dhano923]

I had a peanut allergy growing up and also tested negative for treenuts. I was able to eat almonds and pecans, etc. with no problem. My allergist was also worried about the same thing -- developing an allergy later on. I guess it depends on how sensitive your DS's allergy is. I couldn't eat something that contained peanuts and the peanuts were picked out (like Crunch and Munch popcorn) but I could eat things that were processed in the same facility/machine as peanuts.

[o_mom]

I'm certain that neither you nor I have any cans of almonds in our pantries to check ;), but I would go look at the store and call the manufacturer.

Here's what my packages say:

Sunkist salted almonds: Packaged on equipment that also packages pistachios
TJ's pecan pieces: Processed in a facility that uses milk
TJ's walnut baking pieces: Processed in a facility that processes tree nuts
Meijer sliced almonds: Manufactured on equipment that processes products containing peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soybeans, milk and eggs


HTH!

[marie]

I buy tree nuts and dried fruit from Tierra Farm who claim that their products are "made in a Peanut Free facility:

http://www.tierrafarm.com/

Now, I do buy the stuff in bulk from a natural food market which some people aren't comfortable with. I'm considering buying the stuff directly from Tierra Farm to avoid the possibility of cross-contamination in the bulk foods section.

HTH!

[MamaMolly]

:grouphug: hugs, Mama. It really *is* scary to trial food. ITA with the PP who suggested you might be more comfortable at least the first time to do it in a doctor's office. Even if it is only to help you feel better about it, it is worth it. And remember, everyone had their own comfort level when it comes to allergies. Even allergists. It sounds like your allergist is more laid back than you are, which is fine (for her family) but remember that it doesn't mean it is the only way or the right way. Vigilance has kept your DC safe so far and it is really hard to let that go, especially when it is working!!

We recently started giving DD milk and I was SO scared the first time I actually cried (Epi pen in hand, standing where DD couldn't see me). Last weekend we gave her French toast :eek: and I was much more calm about it, but that first time is wrenching. There is always the thought of 'what if?' lurking...

I'd do something where you bake it at home and bring it in just to avoid other X-contamination issues. Good luck, mama. You don't have to do this until you are ready. (oh, and please let us know how it goes!! :) )

[DrSally]

So, it sounds like there actually is labelling on treenuts (thanks for the examples O Mom). I guess it's been so long since I've bought any. Thank you for the Tierra Farm tip too, Marie. I would never buy in bulk, but maybe I can get them packaged. It kills me that both our supermarket chains have a huge *open* air bin of peanuts (and other nuts) right in the produce section. I try to steer a wider berth from them, but the're right in the middle of the aisle.

I really think a lot of this is my anxiety talking. Even if I see something labelled as not made in a facility with peanuts, I'll be watching, like you Molly, epipen in hand on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I do know it gets better b/c I felt similarily (although not quite as intense) about letting DS have milk the first time. With egg, there was less anxiety. It feels like I'm starting over here.

The initial reaction to milk (formula) at 6 months old was anaphalaxis, and it scared the cr#p out of me. I felt very guilty too. After that incident, he tested pos to egg and peanut and had a reaction to mustard (which was confirmed via testing). Up to this point, he's had 2 accidental exposures to milk (whey in a snack food which caused hives), no accidental exposures to egg, and no oral exposures to peanut, although he has had a handful of cutaneuos peanut exposures that caused hives. Being careful has kept another strong reaction from occuring, and it's hard to open yourself up to new foods.

I definitely want to prevent the development of future allergies though. DH was very adamant that we should just avoid all nuts and he doesn't care about developing future allergies. I disagree, I think the fewer number of things that can cause an anaphalactic reaction in your life, the better. Every year there are accidental exposures (what is it, average 1 per year for those with peanut allergies), and keeping the number of items that may cause a reaction low is important, IMO.

At this age, I do worry about confusion for DS (he's always been told "no peanuts or nuts"). He's very good about knowing that he can eat baked egg now, but not straight up eggs, so I need to work on talking with him on this and seeing how it goes. And, of course, I don't think I'll be letting anyone else give him nuts. We already don't let anyone give him chocolate (cross contamination with peanuts is extremely high). But, there are a few chocolate things he can have. Then, when our relatives see us give him something choc, I think they think we're making his allergy up :shrug: It's hard to explain the intricacies of FA to others.