New allergy Dx

[jgenie]

DS2 has just been diagnosed with a peanut allergy. My head is spinning with all that means. I know it could be much worse but it still stinks. I know there are lots of FA moms here. What do should I do to keep DS2 safe. I know to avoid peanuts and food that contain peanuts but wondering about other things that may not be as obvious. TIA

[bubbaray]

So, your DS2 is one? Its pretty easy to deal with FAs at that age. If he is in daycare, tell them and deal with food issues there and at home. If not in daycare, really all you have to do is read labels. Its second nature to me now.

I will say, peanut free is getting much easier north of the 49th. Grocery shopping in the US definitely makes me nervous as labelling isn't as good. But, if you feed mostly whole foods at that age, its not as overwhelming.

You'll need to have an EpiPen probably and know how/when to use it.

[MamaMolly]

Well crap. That stinks, and welcome to the club. I'm genuinely sorry you are here.

A mom here (Julie aka ILoveTivo) suggested I go to www.kidswithfoodallergies.org and I can't tell you how much that website has helped me cope, helped educate me, etc.

Some things to know:
Not all allergists are the same. Find one who is used to dealing with food allergies in children.

I felt better having Lula wear a medic alert bracelet. We put it on and don't take it off until it is outgrown and we buy a new one. She's 4+ yo, and has worn one every day since she was 17 months old. She's on her second bracelet.

With a peanut allergy (or any anaphylactic allergy, really) you need to have at least 2 epi pens with your child at all times. So 2 for home, 2 for daycare, etc. Don't leave them in the car.

The learning curve is huge. Mistakes are going to be made. Forgive yourself, and learn from them. Read labels every single time.

There are going to be some people who think (and some will tell you) that:
it is all in YOUR head.
you are over reacting.
you say your child has allergies because you need the attention.
you can cure allergies by holding the allergen in one hand.
their child's sandwich is more important than your child's life.
Let me go ahead and tell you: these people are full of $h!t. Don't let them into your head. Keep an eagle eye on them around your kid.

Again, sorry about the diagnosis.

[DrSally]

Sorry to hear that. Kidswithfoodallergies is a good website. Sign up for recall lists (foods that aren't labelled correctly). Also, labelling is not perfect in the US. Yes, they have to list the top 10 allergens if they are ingred. , BUT they do not have to list whether an item is made in a shared facility/shared lines as peanuts/nuts. IIRC, there's a 10-15% chance that an item made in a shared facility/lines may actually have traces of peanuts. For instance, I would never feed DS duncan hines cake mixes, Entenmann's anything, etc., but peanuts are no where on the label. I do a lot of emailing/calling companies to inquire about their manufactuing processes (which can change at any time, BTW). This is the nerve wracking part to me. You get to know which companies are good at labelling (Hershey's, Keebler, etc.) and which are not.

Also, generally, nothing from a comercial bakery is OK (cross contamination). For me, cross-contamination is the biggest concern, b/c it's more of an unknown, KWIM?

[citymama]

Hugs - that is definitely hard. We are going to the allergist next week for DD2 (12 months) tests. We suspect peanut and or chick pea allergies. Sending you good thoughts as you navigate this landscape. I have tremendous respect for all the FA families out there working to keep their kids safe.

[ilovetivo]

DS2 has just been diagnosed with a peanut allergy. My head is spinning with all that means. I know it could be much worse but it still stinks. I know there are lots of FA moms here. What do should I do to keep DS2 safe. I know to avoid peanuts and food that contain peanuts but wondering about other things that may not be as obvious. TIA


I'm so sorry!!!! Yes, please go to www.kidswithfoodallergies.org - an amazing non-profit with soooo much information, support, recipes, resources etc. They've saved my sanity! There are lists of peanut label info, and so much more. Start with their resource page and resource guide that's on that page (free) http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcesnew.php

Personally, I think they are way better than FAAN.

Get a medic alert bracelet.

Hugs! It's a big learning curve, but you'll learn fast. I'm assuming you have epi pens

hugs again!

[MSWR0319]

DS was just diagnosed 8 months ago so I feel your pain. I'd make sure to ask your allergist if there are foods to avoid other than just peanuts. We have a list, some items out of precaution so we don't develop an allergy others because their proteins are very similar to peanuts. Don't be afraid to speak up and make sure your rules are known. FIL is not allowed to give DS anything, as he thinks you should give them a liitle bit to help them outgrow :banghead: good luck!