Peanut allergy help

[buzzboys]

My 4 year old was just diagnosed with peanut allergy. He has never liked peanut butter (even when I was pregnant with him) or nuts and just the smell of them will make him sick. I never thought that he was allergic because peanut oil never bothered him. I mentioned his aversion to peanuts to his asthma docter and he did the testing. Now I know that you do not have to be allergic to peanut oil to be allergic to peanuts. Any way he is to avoid peanuts and tree nuts. This child can smell peanuts and nuts a mile off so I don't worry about the obvious stuff but does any one have any advice on those hidden nut products - for instance I just discovered our dog treats have peanut butter in them.

 

[kidzmom3]

peanuts are a legume, so unless your doctor specifically said so, tree nuts should be okay. What would not be okay is other legumes, such as green beans.

you can buy some good candies at a place called Vermont nut free.

Federal law requires that anything with peanuts in it or manufactured in a plant that also processes peanuts: be clearly labeled on the ingredient section of the packaging.

It can be difficult, because most companies err on the side of caution. Most commercial candy will be unacceptable.

 

[Mermaid02]

Read EVERY label you put in your grocery cart.

My son loved peanut butter but he developed an allergy at 6.... immediately after that he would no longer eat shrimp saying it "hurt his throat like peanuts" and he is now allergic to shellfish.....

 

[buzzboys]

They specifically told me tree nuts also. I am glad to know about the legume part of it. The older he gets, the more allergies he develops and the worse his asthma is getting. Both the allergies and asthma are not in either mine or my dh's family so all of this is new to us.

 

[skw444]

My daughter was diagnosed last October with a peanut allergy when she had a severe reaction from just contact. We were told to stay away from both peanuts as well as tree nuts. Like a previous poster said, most commercial candies (especially anything chocolate) are processed in facilities that process nuts. We have found that Hershey's chocolate (kisses, chocolate bar) are safe though. Also, a lot of baked goods (for example, Publix birthday cakes). Read labels on EVERYTHING! Even if it doesn't contain nuts, there are lots of things out there that was processed on shared equipment or facilities that process nuts and therefore causes a cross contamination issue. Good luck adjusting to living with a food allergy!

 

[tevagirl]

My 3yr old grandson has a peanut allergy.

During MNSSHP last year at WDW, he came into contact with some chocolate peanut butter candy that they were giving out. (He must have touched something that another child had touched with it on his hands.) My dd thought they were going have to use the epi pen on him but benadryl did the trick.

Food allergies are scary. Just read every label.

 

[Tikicampers]

I believe Chick-fil-A uses peanut oil to cook. I know several people with peanut allergies who won't eat there.

 

[mom2boys]

My 12 yr old is allergic to peanuts & tree nuts. He can smell it on my breath if I've eaten. You have received good advice so far. I wanted to add that Hostess snacks have been safe. Little Debbie and other brands are produced in a nut factory. Kissables are safe. M&Ms are not - even the plain types. You have to read all labels. Keep benadryl handy. I keep the tablets in my purse & my son keeps them in his EpiPen bag. (He carries a fanny pack with his inhaler & his EpiPen in it.)
You have to continually read the labels, even on foods that were previously safe. For example, oreo started making a peanutbutter filled cookie, so now all of their cookies are potentially "contaminated".
Make sure you tell EVERYONE who cares for your son - teachers, daycare, relatives, friends, his friend's parents.... You want them to know that if your son says he isn't feeling well when you aren't around, that they need to take him seriously.

 

[mom2boys]

I believe Chick-fil-A uses peanut oil to cook. I know several people with peanut allergies who won't eat there.

Our family was waiting to be arrested after circling a Chick-fil-A four times one evening - after dark. Everyone wanted to eat there. We were going to get DS with the peanut allergies McDonalds. He just freaked & refused to walk into the restuarant. Actually, he was beyond freaked.

And don't even ask for a sip of his drink. You will get the 3rd degree about what you have eaten in the past 24 hours.

 

[Christine]

peanuts are a legume, so unless your doctor specifically said so, tree nuts should be okay. What would not be okay is other legumes, such as green beans.

Tree nuts are different; however, since they are often processed along with peanuts and 99% of the nut factories, tree nuts are usually considered off limits. My son did not test positive to tree nuts and he has eaten some cereals that contain "almond paste" (I believe Honey-Nut Cheerios have this) and he was fine. But we do avoid anything with ANY type of nut.

And yes, peanuts are legumes, but green beans are not legumes. I think the poster above might be thinking about peas, which are legumes. Some people MAY have a cross-reactivity with other legumes, but I think it's pretty rare. FWIW, my son eats peas several times a week as they are his favorite "green" food!

Good luck with the allergy. As others have said--Vermont Nut Free chocolate is a good source for holiday type treats (we use them at Christmas and Easter). Hershey's plain chocolate bars are safe but just in the "normal" size bar--the King Size and miniatures are not safe. Plain Kisses are safe.

You will find a good amout of safe stuff but it is getting increasingly difficult as most manufacturers are taking the CYA approach.