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MrsD121011
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 1460 total posts
Name:
Elicia
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Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Last Friday my 6mo DS was diagnosed with a peanut allergy. My 2yo DD has a sesame allergy so I suspected he had something and when they did the skin test there it was. I have begun reading online but it is so overwhelming and terrifying to say the least. Where do I even begin! He is just starting to eat so now I am a nervous wreck about even baby food. any advice or ideas are welcome!
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Posted 6/2/16 9:00 AM  |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
So sorry you're going through this! Since he was already diagnosed, I'm guessing you were given a prescription for an epi-pen jr? Make sure to carry that and children's Benedryl at all times. Definitely do some research on whether to skip Benedryl and go straight to the epi-pen (thoughts on this have been changing lately).
I think since he's just now eating solid food that you don't have to worry as much. I don't know of baby food that's definitely safe since factory practices change all the time and I haven't had to research baby food in 6 years. It might just be easier for you to make your own baby food so you know the food is safe. Check out Weelicious.com for baby food recipes.
It definitely sucks, but it does get easier as you learn more. It doesn't have to stop you from going out to eat (we still go out all the time), but never go to a place that has nuts in their sauces (Indian, Thai, Chinese, etc).
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| Posted 6/2/16 9:40 AM |
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newlywedT
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 792 total posts
Name:
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Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
How was your son diagnosed?
I've heard that allergy tests for children under 2 are very inaccurate.
My DD has eczema, so we took her to a allergist at 6 months and did the prick test, results were:
Milk - no
Peanut - no
Soy - No
Hazlenut - no
walnut - no
cashew - no
Seasame - no
egg white - yes
egg yolk - yes
Her eczema never got better, so took her to a different allergist at 23 months for another prick test.
egg - NO
Walnut - yes
cashew - yes
I think Im going to bring her to a 3rd allergist to "break the tie" (1 said Yes, the other said No) on some of them (egg, nuts).
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| Posted 6/2/16 10:12 AM |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
I would think that at this age, you don't need to do more testing. It should be easy to just avoid peanuts (especially if you make your own baby food or find a brand that has good labeling practices for cross contamination). Keep an eye on how your child reacts to foods that are typical allergens when you introduce them (specifically eggs and milk), and wait until he's older to test again.
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| Posted 6/2/16 10:20 AM |
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Chai77
Brighter days ahead
Member since 4/07 7364 total posts
Name:
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
May I ask what prompted you to test him at 6 months? I just wonder if it's valid and predictive of future allergy if they haven't ever even been exposed to the substance yet. I guess your doctor would know though...
My DS was diagnosed with peanut and tree nut allergies at 2.5 years old after consuming peanuts and a reaction.
It's really doable, you just have to be careful and read all labels. My DS can not have anything "made in the facility" with nuts. If in doubt, like unlabeled food, don't take a chance. All packaged food must be labeled with allergy alerts. Keep the epipen if prescribed and Benadryl around all the time and know the correct dose.
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| Posted 6/2/16 10:47 AM |
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!
Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
Name:
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
DS has a peanut allergy, among others. It felt really scary at first, but we're 1.5 years later and it's just kind of his "norm" now. He knows "no nuts" and says it whenever anyone offers him candy or snacks. His day care is peanut free, but they have Benedryl and an epi pen there for him.
Start with seeing an allergist. I'd recommend Dr. Strauss.
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| Posted 6/2/16 10:47 AM |
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MrsD121011
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 1460 total posts
Name:
Elicia
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
He has eczema and has had issues with his skin since birth. The question about peanuts was because I kissed him a few weeks ago after eating peaut butter and his face broke out in raised red rash. It did fade after a bit but I wanted to be sure if the cause was the PB and not just his skin being sensitive like always. The tested him for almonds and other tree nuts as well as sesame and the only thing that came up was dogs and peanuts. The also tested for milk and egg which were both neg. I did make my own baby food for my DD but she was moving on to real food by 8 months old. My son is a big boy (22Lbs) and is already tring to grab things to eat. I am just trying to understand. If something says nothing about peanuts but say for example may contain soy, milk and wheat is that then safe for a peanut child?
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| Posted 6/2/16 10:58 AM |
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MrsD121011
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 1460 total posts
Name:
Elicia
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Posted by NYCGirl80
DS has a peanut allergy, among others. It felt really scary at first, but we're 1.5 years later and it's just kind of his "norm" now. He knows "no nuts" and says it whenever anyone offers him candy or snacks. His day care is peanut free, but they have Benedryl and an epi pen there for him.
Start with seeing an allergist. I'd recommend Dr. Strauss.
We use Dr. Strauss, this time we saw his partner Dr. Kreiner and I really did not care for her all that much. Dr. Strauss is patient and sweet. Dr. Kreiner was nice enough but she wasnt very informative as to what our next steps should be for our son. She basically told me to just read labels. Ok. thats the easy part I feel. What about managing a reaction and all the other questions that were racing through my head.
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| Posted 6/2/16 11:07 AM |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Posted by MrsD121011
If something says nothing about peanuts but say for example may contain soy, milk and wheat is that then safe for a peanut child?
I feel pretty good that if I see a label for cross contamination for soy, milk, etc but not peanuts then I feel like it's safe to eat. However, I have seen some wonky labeling where peanuts are an ingredient (like a granola bar), but it's not listed in the allergen section so just make sure to read everything on the label. Google "snack safely" and you'll find a website that's good about keeping up to date on which brands are safe (especially handy around Halloween).
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| Posted 6/2/16 11:24 AM |
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MrsD121011
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 1460 total posts
Name:
Elicia
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Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Thank you.
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| Posted 6/2/16 11:45 AM |
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pumpkinmom
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 2911 total posts
Name:
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
We have a similar situation. Our allergist's advice was to return after a year for another test. If the test is still positive, I think the plan is to expose her in the allergist's office to see if she reacts.
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| Posted 6/2/16 2:43 PM |
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MrsD121011
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 1460 total posts
Name:
Elicia
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Posted by pumpkinmom
We have a similar situation. Our allergist's advice was to return after a year for another test. If the test is still positive, I think the plan is to expose her in the allergist's office to see if she reacts.
Its so scary. I spoke DS Peditrician today and he recommend starting OIT (Oral Immuno Therapy) right away to help my son build up immunity to peanuts. I have an appt with another allergist on Wednesday for a second opinion and hopefully this one will be a little more in depth if the results are the same.
Message edited 6/2/2016 4:51:27 PM.
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| Posted 6/2/16 4:51 PM |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Posted by MrsD121011
Its so scary. I spoke DS Peditrician today and he recommend starting OIT (Oral Immuno Therapy) right away to help my son build up immunity to peanuts. I have an appt with another allergist on Wednesday for a second opinion and hopefully this one will be a little more in depth if the results are the same.
I hope that your pediatrician means OIT with constant direct allergist supervision b/c doing it willy nilly is dangerous if your child really is allergic! There's someone on LI that does OIT, but not until the child is 5-6. I know there have been studies that say to give a baby small amounts to build up their immune system, but if you already suspect he has an allergy to peanuts, I don't know if that's the right way to go.
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| Posted 6/2/16 5:53 PM |
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MrsD121011
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 1460 total posts
Name:
Elicia
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Posted by Funkybutt
Posted by MrsD121011
Its so scary. I spoke DS Peditrician today and he recommend starting OIT (Oral Immuno Therapy) right away to help my son build up immunity to peanuts. I have an appt with another allergist on Wednesday for a second opinion and hopefully this one will be a little more in depth if the results are the same.
I hope that your pediatrician means OIT with constant direct allergist supervision b/c doing it willy nilly is dangerous if your child really is allergic! There's someone on LI that does OIT, but not until the child is 5-6. I know there have been studies that say to give a baby small amounts to build up their immune system, but if you already suspect he has an allergy to peanuts, I don't know if that's the right way to go.
I am going to see another allergist on Wednesday to get another opinion and to get together a plan. The Ped did say that they would want to do introductions of the allergen in small doses younger rather than wait to help build up a tolerance. I don't know if I am misunderstanding him but he told me to discuss this with the allergist.
ETA: Of course it would be under direct allergist supervision...that would be insane if it wasn't.
Message edited 6/3/2016 8:47:29 AM.
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| Posted 6/3/16 8:45 AM |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Posted by MrsD121011
ETA: Of course it would be under direct allergist supervision...that would be insane if it wasn't.
You'd be surprised at some of the things allergy parents have reported that their pediatricians have said. I think they read articles but then they're not the ones doing the proper research to know if it's something safe or not, but still telling their patients.
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| Posted 6/3/16 9:33 AM |
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MrsD121011
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 1460 total posts
Name:
Elicia
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Posted by Funkybutt
Posted by MrsD121011
ETA: Of course it would be under direct allergist supervision...that would be insane if it wasn't.
You'd be surprised at some of the things allergy parents have reported that their pediatricians have said. I think they read articles but then they're not the ones doing the proper research to know if it's something safe or not, but still telling their patients.
Yeah, the Dr even said I am not the specialist but I believe this is what they do. Ask the allergist....etc. I can't believe anyone would take a chance without strict supervision of a specialist. Thats scary! Thanks for all your help!
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| Posted 6/3/16 10:54 AM |
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muffaboo
LIF Adult
Member since 12/10 3797 total posts
Name:
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
My daughter had really bad eczema too. We started her at the dermatologist at a month old and after failed attempts at improving her skin, we were referred to allergist. At 4 months, she was skin tested for popular allergens. We found out she was allergic to milk, egg whites, egg yolks, and peanuts. I was EBFing so I stopped eating all of those foods so I could continue to nurse her. At 6 months, she had blood tests for a bunch of other foods and environmental allergens. Found out she was also allergic to tree nuts, sesame, cats (which we have), dogs, etc. etc. I cut all of those foods out and continued to nurse until she was 14 months. Her skin finally started getting better. She was blood tested again at 18 months and all of her numbers went up, not down  She's 2 now and just last week, my husband accidentally gave her a tiiiiiiiny bit of real peanut butter on a chip, instead of the Wowbutter peanut butter substitute--completely on accident. He thought he grabbed the jar of Wowbutter. She had anaphylactic reaction, I had to give the epipen and we spent the day in the hospital. SO SCARY. I definitely worry about her when she's in school or over at friends' houses when she's older. I pray that she starts to outgrow at least some of these damn allergies. We're in Aruba right now and it's so hard to feed this poor kid.
Message edited 6/4/2016 6:45:54 PM.
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| Posted 6/4/16 6:32 PM |
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MrsD121011
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 1460 total posts
Name:
Elicia
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Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Oh no! Thats so scary! I am cleaning my house out now because I have a 2yo that I am sure at some point will stick something in her baby brothers mouth and I don't want hte risk of it being peanut laden. Plus shared toys etc...That is so scary and I am sure DH had some pretty bad guilt. Thank God she is ok. So far we are just peanuts and dogs for my boy and seasame and dogs for my girl. I am praying he doesn't develop others but I know the chances are likely he will.
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| Posted 6/6/16 3:23 PM |
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muffaboo
LIF Adult
Member since 12/10 3797 total posts
Name:
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Posted by MrsD121011
Oh no! Thats so scary! I am cleaning my house out now because I have a 2yo that I am sure at some point will stick something in her baby brothers mouth and I don't want hte risk of it being peanut laden. Plus shared toys etc...That is so scary and I am sure DH had some pretty bad guilt. Thank God she is ok. So far we are just peanuts and dogs for my boy and seasame and dogs for my girl. I am praying he doesn't develop others but I know the chances are likely he will.
Yes, he felt terrible. Kept saying he can't believe he poisoned his little girl. Thank God she's fine...and yes, we threw out the peanut butter! It's scary that she reacted that way from just a tiny bit--I'm talking like a 1/4 teaspoon.
Message edited 6/9/2016 6:34:21 PM.
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| Posted 6/9/16 6:33 PM |
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DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Peanut is one of the top 8 so it will be noted if in anything. Join the No Nuts Moms group on Facebook. Very helpful
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| Posted 6/10/16 12:48 AM |
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MrsD121011
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 1460 total posts
Name:
Elicia
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Re: Peanut Allergy Moms please help...
Thanks! I'll look for the group. We went for a second evaluation on Wed and its def peanut. I had to then take him for a blood draw at LIJ Labs and the woman was an animal. This whole thing just sucks man. On a positive not he has no other nut allergys other than peanut so substituting things will be a little easier.
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| Posted 6/10/16 8:26 AM |
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