Parents of kids with Peanut Allergies, just call me chicken...update pg 2

[Microcell]

I would call the parents. IMO I think it is both rude & negligent that a parent of an allergic child wouldn't want to go over what treat is being brough in by you! They are leaving it up to you to ensure that you bring in a safe snack for their child who has a LIFE threatening allergy! ...aaargh I can't imagine letting my dd eat something somebody else brought into class without talking to the parent first (although we keep safe treats on hand for her in the class as she doesn't eat anything except the food we provide for her).
But again I have to say a big THANK YOU to you and those parents who go to the trouble of making sure you are bringing in safe treats. I wish there were more parents like you and Microcell in my dd's class.

The teacher is very careful about what to bring, so I gather it is a dust inhaling problem too and she seems to be the one wanting to encourage the nut free environment. I sure don't want to compromise a two year old's health!

I got two things- Hostess Ding Dongs and Chips Ahoy cookies, the only questionable thing I read was coconut oil. Is that a problem?

I may just pick up popsicles after DD's Girl Scout meeting tonight!

 

[Idahomom]

I got two things- Hostess Ding Dongs and Chips Ahoy cookies, the only questionable thing I read was coconut oil. Is that a problem?

If the child is not allergic to coconuts, then coconut oil is fine. I think coconut is actually considered a seed and not a nut. I know that my dd eats things with coconut oil with no problems. And popsicles would be great. I've yet to come across a popsicle (the good old grape, lime, orange & rootbeer flavored kind!) that wasn't safe for a peanut allergic person.

 

[Christine]

My son eats Chips Ahoy cookies (Nabisco is also very good at lableling) but it can only be the standard Chips Ahoy cookie, not the "chewy" or any of the spin-offs of the classic Chips Ahoy.

 

[Microcell]

I went to the store and got Bomb Pops. It will be 73 tomorrow though they get out at 1pm. My only concern is that is has milk protein and I never am sure with a peanut allergy if it is the nut or the protein that causes it. I am sure the teacher will check carefully!

 

[Christine]

I went to the store and got Bomb Pops. It will be 73 tomorrow though they get out at 1pm. My only concern is that is has milk protein and I never am sure with a peanut allergy if it is the nut or the protein that causes it. I am sure the teacher will check carefully!

Well, it *is* one of the proteins in the nut that actually causes the allergy. I believe, the scientists know what protein it is, in fact. But, the milk protein has nothing to do with the peanut protein and will not be a problem--unless of course you're dealing with a milk allergy.

What is Bomb Pop, by the way?

 

[swilphil]

A bomb pop is a red, white and blue popsicle. Thanks for starting the thread. I am bringing treats to my son's preschool in a few weeks, and he has someone with a peanut allergy in his class. Why are there so many kids with nut allergies these days? When I was growing up, I don't remember anyone being allergic to nuts.

 

[Christine]

A bomb pop is a red, white and blue popsicle. Thanks for starting the thread. I am bringing treats to my son's preschool in a few weeks, and he has someone with a peanut allergy in his class. Why are there so many kids with nut allergies these days? When I was growing up, I don't remember anyone being allergic to nuts.

Nut allergies are rapidly increasing (since the 70s) and there are a few theories, but they don't really know why.

 

[jellymanoffspring]

Nut allergies are rapidly increasing (since the 70s) and there are a few theories, but they don't really know why.

Do you know what the theories are? I was just going to ask why the increase also!

I was also going to suggest a "Fruit Salad, Yummy, Yummy"...
(watching too much of the wiggles )

The Popsicle suggestion made my day...My father who passed away 3 years ago used to work for Popsicle Industries....I always brought them in for the end of year party at school! Thanks for making me smile..

 

[bajanswife]

Why are there so many kids with nut allergies these days? When I was growing up, I don't remember anyone being allergic to nuts.

This is very strange, isn't it? This was never an issue when I was at school either.

What's interesting is that I have 2 kids at 2 different schools, and it isn't an issue at either of the schools either that I'm aware of. Maybe because if there is a child who is allergic, the parents take steps to deal with it themselves somehow. One of my kids takes peanut butter sandwiches to school for lunch almost every day and it isn't a problem at her school. Homebaked goods are encouraged at both schools, and I am not aware of anyone being questioned about ingredients. Could it be a feature of where I live? In which case, what makes my country different? I find it bizarre!

 

[Christine]

Well, I don't have any links to any sites (just not good at that) but can only relate to you what I have casually read.

The highest increase in peanut allergies is in the United States. Countries that use less peanuts, have fewer allergies (like Japan); however, they have a high incidence of rice and soy allergies. So, one theory is that allergies are created when a large amount of a particular food group is consumed. Since, in the U.S., we are consuming higher and higher amounts of peanut products, the allergy is increasing.

Another theory--allergies and asthma in general are increasing for some reason. They speculate that we are too "clean" of a society because of our excellent healthcare. The immune system has to keep busy doing something so if it isn't fighting disease, it starts fighting other invaders. Third world countries, or countries with less than wonderful healthcare, have less allergies and asthma (but of course they have other issues).

So, it's a combination of things.

Personally, I feel that in a susceptible individual, early exposure to peanut products is part of the problem. Due to my cat allergy and my husband's eczema, any of our children are at risk for allergies. How those allergies present themselves will be different for each child. My DD is not allergic to anything and my son is allergic to peanuts and eggs. Yet, he has no problems with cats! As an 10-month old, he was fed (without my knowledge) peanut butter by a daycare provider. He is a "susceptible" person and should not have had it. It triggered his allergy. 40-some years ago, when I was a baby, peanuts were not prevalent at all. In fact, I probably didn't have a peanut or peanut butter and jelly sandwich until I was 4 or 5 years old and then it was, maybe, once a week. I watched that rapid change as I grew up. Even then, about the only peanut products were Cap'n Crunch Peanut Butter flavor (I was probably a teen when that came out) and Reese's cups. Now, peanut butter is in EVERYTHING and everyone is eating it. Pregnant women, nursing moms, etc. There is just LOTS more exposure than there ever used to be.