Help for a severe peanut skin allergy at WDW

[Adlergray]

Hi Y'all,

So this will be out first trip since we found out my 3 almost 4 yr old has a sever peanut allergy. He gets his worst symptoms when coming in contact with them and we have been lucky and don't know what happens if he were to eat one. So ever since he was diagnosed. the world has become a big peanut butter covered place. We wipe down shopping carts and tables at restaurants anything he might touch. However it would be impossible to do that at disney. All the rides and ques and benches. Has anyone else dealt with something similar? We will have epi's with us at all times but I'm wondering if there is anything else I can do or be on the look out for. I know I'm a bit overly worried as he has been twice before with only mild hives developing a few times. I just fear for that one bad day.

TIA

 

[mistysue]

I think what you want is a stroller as a wheelchair pass. Then he can stay in the stroller in lines so he doesn't touch as much stuff.

 

[laughinplace199]

What happens when his skin comes into contact with peanuts? My DD15 is allergic to nuts also, If her skin comes into contact, she'll break out in a rash. We bring baby wipes and hydrocortisone cream to the parks to treat the rash if it occurs.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

remember people can bring snacks into the parks with them and can eat them while in line. you are not going to be able to wipe down every place your child is going to be. had a grandson react to peanut butter that we could not see while in line for a ride. had to make an ER trip. I would look at gloves to protect from contact while riding as there will not be time to wipe off handles or lap bars. yes stroller as a wheelchair will help but even then child can reach and touch things

 

[Adlergray]

What happens when his skin comes into contact with peanuts? My DD15 is allergic to nuts also, If her skin comes into contact, she'll break out in a rash. We bring baby wipes and hydrocortisone cream to the parks to treat the rash if it occurs.

It depends on the amount and how quickly we get it but a smug of peanut butter on his shoulder will go to hives to an epi situation in 10 min. If we get it immediately we can usually wash the area and give him a dose of benadryl and just end up with hives. We have been very lucky that he has a nose like a blood hound and HATES the smell of peanut butter. He can usually smell it before we see it. We have also been very lucky that he hates being dirty so he is very tentative about what he touches.

I think the stroller as a wheel chair is a good idea that I hadn't considered. Can I use that with a double stroller? we usually take our side by side with the 2 boys or do we need to bring 2 strollers to use the stroller as a wheel chair?

 

[stackyallred]

I am allergic to peanuts too but I don't react much with skin contact as long as I take a Claritin (which I do daily at the parks). I have done a lot of allergy research, though and I have read where lots of people bring plastic ware (rather silver ware) and those sticky place mats for dining and then disposable gloves for riding rides like others have suggested. The stroller as a wheelchair pass is a great suggestion! Of course keeping wipes on you to wipe things down will also help but the gloves could give an extra later of protection- if he will wear them. I have a 4 year old with allergies and he is really good about his precautions but I know in the excitement of Disney, he gets sidetracked (don't we all lol). I hope you have a great trip with no reactions!

 

[MSSANDRA]

You have to be super diligent in watching at all times. Most people simply do not have a clue about peanut allergies and will eat uncrustables and PB crackers everywhere. We have had to get out of line a few times when someone was eating. Try to be aware of places that sell PBJ sandwiches and avoid them if you can. Do try to wipe off anything you can and work really hard to keep his hands out of his mouth. Wipe tables really good and use the disposable place mats and teach him not to touch the table. does his action plan still call for benedryl? Most doctors are now recommending to NOT use it as it can mask more sever symptoms that may be occurring.

 

[lanejudy]

... I think the stroller as a wheel chair is a good idea that I hadn't considered. Can I use that with a double stroller? we usually take our side by side with the 2 boys or do we need to bring 2 strollers to use the stroller as a wheel chair?

Yes, you may use a double stroller to be stroller-as-wheelchair. You'll need to stop by Guest Relations and get a tag to hang on the stroller. Without that tag all strollers must be parked outside the queue.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[spacecanada]

I have contact reactions too (as well as anaphylaxis due to inhalation or ingestion). I recommend wearing long sleeves and long pants if possible, as it minimises the amount of skin that can touch various surfaces. Be sure to change and wash those clothes each day so residue doesn't build up on those too.

I don't pre-dose with an antihistamine because it makes me extremely sleepy but also masks early symptoms of bigger reactions. Definitely check with your allergist about doing this -- for some people it works wonders (contact hives only) but for others it can be dangerous.

Also be sure to wipe down your child after hugging characters. The furry ones can collect residue on them, which can transfer to your child.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

You have to be super diligent in watching at all times. Most people simply do not have a clue about peanut allergies and will eat uncrustables and PB crackers everywhere. We have had to get out of line a few times when someone was eating. Try to be aware of places that sell PBJ sandwiches and avoid them if you can. Do try to wipe off anything you can and work really hard to keep his hands out of his mouth. Wipe tables really good and use the disposable place mats and teach him not to touch the table. does his action plan still call for benedryl? Most doctors are now recommending to NOT use it as it can mask more sever symptoms that may be occurring.

I wouldn't say people don't have a clue most people just don't think of it like some who does have one does.

 

[lizard1]

If he is that sensitive to peanuts, I would request a VIP cleaning of the room and specifiy that it is because of severe skin contact allergies to peanuts.

 

[candacewi5]

My 8 year old son has contact (and anaphylactic) allergies to milk protein. We understand your concern and live it every day. My son has attended public schoolsince kindergarten and is now entering the 3rd grade. Navigating school has really helped us find measures that work to keep him safe and still let him be a kid. I hope some of these help your son.
- on the plane we use a flat bedsheet to cover the seats and armrests on either side of my son after preboarding and wiping every conceivable surface with disposable cleaning wipes. As we get off the flight the sheet goes in a plastic bag which is then tied closed to transport to the hotel. We then wash it twice before we need it again on the return flight.
- we carry 6-8 epi pens at all times along with liquid benedryl.
- my son wears clothing that covers as much skin as possible and still be comfortable. The long sleeve rash guard shirts really work well on warm weather days and so does Under Armour type clothing. We are also travelling to Orlando in January to hopefully avoid the worst of the heat. He also wears gloves out in public. The gloves he prefers are baseball gloves.
-For sitting on the curbs for parades or on floors for reading, etc we have created a sitting mat. We have used a heavy duty flannel backed table cloth cut to size to match the size of a bathtowel. Our wonderful neighbor sewed the table cloth plastic side out to the towel. My son sits on the soft towel side and the plastic side sits on the surface in question. The plastic is easily cleaned and it makes it easy to know what side is the contamination side and which is the safe side. They also hold up well in the washing machine.
-My son has been functioning so long with the contact allergy he has really learned his way of functioning. He is also very cautious to not touch anything and also to not touch his skin while wearing his gloves.
Please let me know other circumstances you are having difficulty finding a way around and I will be happy to let you know of any ways we have found that work for us. I know I am forgetting things that have become routine to us and we just don't think about. Good luck and know it can be done sometimes you just have to think outside of the box. Please feel free to pm me also.
Candace