OT: PSA regarding peanuts and flying

[Suellen]

I totally get that the allergy aspect, but why would you not allow achild any fruit juice? I am truly curious if there is some thing i am missing.

Fruit juice has a TON of sugar in it. They can have a glass of water and a piece of fruit.

Our pedi has told us since DD (almost 5 now) was about 9 months old that giving them fruit juice is just like giving them soda (sugar wise).

They will occasionally have an apple juice box if we are out at a restaurant and there are no other options and they don't want water.

But we allow:

1 Glass of Skim Milk
Water
An occasional Crystal Light fruit punch or Lemonade.

Yeah ~ mean mom ~ but they just don't need the sugar. They also only are allowed candy on the holidays and at Halloween are allowed to keep 5 pieces of candy and the rest they trade for a Gift Wrapped Surprise.

 

[disykat]

So because I am asking for courtesy when it comes to other allergies that is stirring up trouble?

Sorry if I mistook your tone, but I definitely felt flamed. Asking for courtesy is fine. That's what the OP was doing.

 

[bellebud]

An occasional Crystal Light fruit punch or Lemonade.

not to get totally OT, but a question in regards to health... I've always stayed away from things like Crystal Light that are "sugar free" because I've read so many times how the things they have to put in them to make them tasty are worse than sugar (aspertame (sp???), etc... just trying to educate myself - is crystal light free of these things too? I'd love to find an occasional drink for the kids that isn't loaded w/ even naturally occurring sugar (even the "no sugar added" fruit juices have lots of fruit sugar), or chemicals. I totally get where you're coming from, trying to provide a healthy "fun" drink.

I love the halloween candy idea (trading for little gifts)... I might steal it!

 

[kpm76]

Fruit juice has a TON of sugar in it. They can have a glass of water and a piece of fruit.

Our pedi has told us since DD (almost 5 now) was about 9 months old that giving them fruit juice is just like giving them soda (sugar wise).

They will occasionally have an apple juice box if we are out at a restaurant and there are no other options and they don't want water.

But we allow:

1 Glass of Skim Milk
Water
An occasional Crystal Light fruit punch or Lemonade.

Yeah ~ mean mom ~ but they just don't need the sugar. They also only are allowed candy on the holidays and at Halloween are allowed to keep 5 pieces of candy and the rest they trade for a Gift Wrapped Surprise.

OT but I would MUCH rather DD have a glass of apple juice than a glass of Crystal Light. Artificial sweeteners are NOT good for anyone, especially children. DD doesn't drink a ton of juice but we don't believe in completely depriving her of it, so we always cut the juice at least in half with water.....

 

[Suellen]

We have been told 4-6oz diluted per day.

The only reason they can have a CL as a treat is because I drink it so it is in the house. It is rare. Mostly we drink water "with rocks".

I don't feel like my girls are "deprived" of juice. I think of it as empty calories that they don't need. It isn't like they are asking for it and I am saying no ~ they just know they can't have it.

This is completely OT ~ so I won't say anymore about here. But we can discuss it over on the mom's thread if any of you want to join us!

 

[brergnat]

All I want to say on this topic is:

Have you ever WITNESSED how a flight crew "cleans" the aircraft between flights? It's nothing more than them picking up any obvious trash and putting it in a garbage bag. There is NO wiping down of any surfaces, and they certainly don't shampoo the seats and floor.

So....just because no one on YOUR flight is eating any peanut products, that doesn't mean that no one on the several PREVIOUS flights didn't. There could be peanut dust and peanut butter squashed into the seats, the seatback pockets, the carpet, etc.

If you are THAT severely allergic to peanuts, bring your epi pen, or just don't fly. By taking public transport, you are subjecting yourself to possible exposure.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

To the PP who asked how those of us with life threatening allergies and how we live our everyday life.

There really never is a guarantee that my DD won't come into contact with a berry juice or even a berry for that matter. It is hard to deal with. For me it has been educating her and her sister and her teachers and anyone who will be with her how serious it is.

My fathers wife.... she just doesn't get it and when we went to visit went out an bought cranberry juice for the girls. Which is a no-no for TWO reasons. 1. Z is allergic 2. The girls aren't allowed fruit juice.

There are always going to be people who say ~ how bad can it really be? Especially with Z because the consider it a few hives ~ it isn't it is neck to ankles and inside her mouth and throat. It may not SEEM severe but I assure you it is.

You have to be the advocate for your child and make sure that people who may come in contact with her while you are not there are aware of the issue. Also always be prepared with an epi-pen and I always make sure I have my cell phone with me in case I need to call for an ambulance.

It certainly is no easy thing to do! Again the only people I expect to be responsible for her allergy are immediate family and anyone I entrust her care to.

But that is just how we deal with it.

Thank you for answering. I appreciate it.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

All I want to say on this topic is:

Have you ever WITNESSED how a flight crew "cleans" the aircraft between flights? It's nothing more than them picking up any obvious trash and putting it in a garbage bag. There is NO wiping down of any surfaces, and they certainly don't shampoo the seats and floor.

So....just because no one on YOUR flight is eating any peanut products, that doesn't mean that no one on the several PREVIOUS flights didn't. There could be peanut dust and peanut butter squashed into the seats, the seatback pockets, the carpet, etc.

If you are THAT severely allergic to peanuts, bring your epi pen, or just don't fly. By taking public transport, you are subjecting yourself to possible exposure.

This is very true. Sometimes we wipe the seats etc. down before we sit because they are gross.

 

[Hannathy]

All I want to say on this topic is:

Have you ever WITNESSED how a flight crew "cleans" the aircraft between flights? It's nothing more than them picking up any obvious trash and putting it in a garbage bag. There is NO wiping down of any surfaces, and they certainly don't shampoo the seats and floor.

So....just because no one on YOUR flight is eating any peanut products, that doesn't mean that no one on the several PREVIOUS flights didn't. There could be peanut dust and peanut butter squashed into the seats, the seatback pockets, the carpet, etc.

If you are THAT severely allergic to peanuts, bring your epi pen, or just don't fly. By taking public transport, you are subjecting yourself to possible exposure.

Exactly!!! Which is why it is a crock to tell my child not to eat a PB&J 10 rows away from your child when for all you know the whole darn row you are sitting in had PB&J's followed by peanut butter cups that had melted and were gooey in Mom's bag! that they then passed around. Then got off and rode on the same monorail to land side that you are getting on. I do understand the no opening peanut packets because of the dust and the peanut protein getting into the air, that makes sense and is logical.

No one is doubting there are allergies and it is rough but you can't change the whole world to fit yourself. You have to look out for yourself and change yourself to fit the world. Like I said before if my child was so allergic that a minute physical contact would give him a life taking attack they would be wearing gloves in public.

 

[Suellen]

Like I said before if my child was so allergic that a minute physical contact would give him a life taking attack they would be wearing gloves in public.

If only it were that easy. My poor DD would have to live in a bubble.

I don't put her in a bubble ~ I just try to educate the people who come into contact with her on a regular basis.

Unfortunately in our society people seem to have no problem touching someone elses child. Just today I was at the store with her and she started talking to the lady in line behind us ~ next this I knew she was touching her cheek and telling her how pretty she was. Luckily she hadn't had a berry in her hand since her last shower/hand wash ~ but it could have lead to something.

Point is you can't change the world to cater to your needs. You also can't live in a bubble and that means taking risks and being prepared to deal with it. Just the way life is.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you or your family member have a life-threatening allergy, why not just drive instead of flying? You can completely control the environment you or your family member are in when you drive in your own vehicle.

Or does the convenience of flying outweigh the threat?

 

[Suellen]

If you or your family member have a life-threatening allergy, why not just drive instead of flying? You can completely control the environment you or your family member are in when you drive in your own vehicle.

Or does the convenience of flying outweigh the threat?

It really is no different for us than our everyday life. I don't see the point of driving to a destination like WDW in order to avoid coming into contact with something.

 

[roobug]

You are welcome to your opinion. Those of us who live with life threatening allergies do the best we can to deal with them as we see fit. I have never approached ANYONE about peanuts. A three row buffer is not really helpful IMO, and we have flown with an identified peanut allergy without this buffer EVER being provided. The only thing that has been offered to us is early boarding. IMO, there is a bigger risk that they will deny boarding than provide a buffer anyway. It only takes one customer making a stink.

I've honestly feel my son is safer not identifying himself. This is not a decision we've made lightly, but in conjunction with his doctor, and after much research. We are actually on the cautious side. I know people who fly on airlines that SERVE peanuts successfully - I wouldn't try it.

I've been dealing with this allergy for 17 years very successfully. Thank you for your concern.

To the bolded you are assuming I don't deal with a life threatening allergy which I do with both my boys. And when we fly I do tell the airline so they can make accomidations. And having a few rows buffer does help because of how the planes airflow works. You are sharing the air with a certain group of rows - yes it's not a bubble but it is pretty much a set pattern of airflow. I know this because we deal with a life threatening allergy. I think that if you are not making all efforts to protect your child then you can't get mad when someone brings something that is safe for them onto a plane or a subway or other contained atmosphere. And for us I feel it is best if those around my children are aware of their allergy to further protect them if they don't know they can unknowingly harm them.

And for the last sentence my posts where not at you but as a general satement as I find that many people don't know that airlines will make accomidations if you specificly ask - as they are required to if they are able.

 

[princessmom29]

Fruit juice has a TON of sugar in it. They can have a glass of water and a piece of fruit.

Our pedi has told us since DD (almost 5 now) was about 9 months old that giving them fruit juice is just like giving them soda (sugar wise).

They will occasionally have an apple juice box if we are out at a restaurant and there are no other options and they don't want water.

But we allow:

1 Glass of Skim Milk
Water
An occasional Crystal Light fruit punch or Lemonade.

Yeah ~ mean mom ~ but they just don't need the sugar. They also only are allowed candy on the holidays and at Halloween are allowed to keep 5 pieces of candy and the rest they trade for a Gift Wrapped Surprise.

thanks for the info. We do a limited amount of diluted fruit juice. You are right there is a lot of concentrates sugar in fruit uice, but if you are getting 100% uice it is natural, unmodified sugar. I would much prefer D to get her sugarfrom that than, candy, cookies ect. I also do not do aspertame (sp? )for DD as the ped. has advised against giving it to her. He says if you are going to give artifically sweetened drinks that unsweetened Kool-aid with splenda is a good alternative to something with aspertame. We do this, and I make homeade lemonade with splenda when lemons are cheap.

 

[honugirl]

I'd like to comment on the animal allergy thing. Not everyone can fly with their animals in the cargo hold. Service animals are legally allowed to fly in the cabin. For some it could be life threatening to have their animal taken from them. I am looking to potentially get a service dog for issues related to my illness and it could be life threatening for me to travel without it. If there is a service animal on board, chances are good that it will be in a bulkhead row because of space. So if you want to avoid them, I would suggest being as far from a bulkhead as possible.

Unfortunately it's hard for many people with medical conditions to fly, not just allergic passengers.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

When we fly with DD we always have her epipens and benadryl, but we also carry clorox disinfecting wipes, before DD sits down in her seat I wipe down the tray, armrests, seatbuckle, window area, etc. We also bring a towel for her to sit on. She does not eat ANYTHING on the plane, even carrot sticks, we pack her goldfish and other safe treats.
DD is also allergic to peanuts

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

If only it were that easy. My poor DD would have to live in a bubble.

I don't put her in a bubble ~ I just try to educate the people who come into contact with her on a regular basis.

Unfortunately in our society people seem to have no problem touching someone elses child. Just today I was at the store with her and she started talking to the lady in line behind us ~ next this I knew she was touching her cheek and telling her how pretty she was. Luckily she hadn't had a berry in her hand since her last shower/hand wash ~ but it could have lead to something.

Point is you can't change the world to cater to your needs. You also can't live in a bubble and that means taking risks and being prepared to deal with it. Just the way life is.

I totally agree with this, WHY do you need to touch my child? DD would flip out anyways, she does NOT like to be touched by someone she doesn't know, but still, please, keep your hands to yourself, to me that is common courtesy that I feel sometimes people lack.

 

[livndisney]

When we fly with DD we always have her epipens and benadryl, but we also carry clorox disinfecting wipes, before DD sits down in her seat I wipe down the tray, armrests, seatbuckle, window area, etc. We also bring a towel for her to sit on. She does not eat ANYTHING on the plane, even carrot sticks, we pack her goldfish and other safe treats.
DD is also allergic to peanuts

And the clorox wipes could cause a life threatening reaction for my family. So where does it end?

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

And the clorox wipes could cause a life threatening reaction for my family. So where does it end?

I'm sorry I don't know the answer and not really sure what to say.
What is in the wipe that your allergic to? Would it effect you if I wiped my seat and your 2 rows ahead of me, I'm not trying to be snarky, just curious, I've never heard of anyone who is allergic to a disinfecting wipe. And the main reason I posted on this PSA was b/c it was dealing with peanut allergies and I wanted to help those who has PA's have a safe flight and take precautions.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm sorry I don't know the answer and not really sure what to say.
What is in the wipe that your allergic to? Would it effect you if I wiped my seat and your 2 rows ahead of me, I'm not trying to be snarky, just curious, I've never heard of anyone who is allergic to a disinfecting wipe. And the main reason I posted on this PSA was b/c it was dealing with peanut allergies and I wanted to help those who has PA's have a safe flight and take precautions.

We had two people in our office who were allergic to bleach and their throats would swell up if the housekeepers used bleach to clean the office.

Another person's allergy may be as life-threatening or more than yours.