Peanut allergy?? help!!

[KristyBDJ]

I don't really know where to post this so I figured I would try this forum first. Anyway...I need advice from all of you dealing with peanut allergies in yourself or your children. Here's the story...on Friday I got my DD3 up from nap and saw some small bumps on her legs, thought hmmm...w/in 10 min. they were huge welts! I had no idea what this was so I took her to a walk in clinic. The DR said it was hives, I didn't know what hives looked like. They completely covered her legs and she smaller ones on her back and arm. Anyway, DR asked any new foods, soap, etc. and the answer is no. She hadn't eaten anything new, no new soaps, clothes, nothing. Anyway..she had eaten a PB sandwich for lunch and now I'm freaking out thinking it was the PB that did it! I guess I'm just looking for advice. When did you/your children develop their allergy? how did you figure it out? what do I do now? Should I have her tested? Please help...thanks guys!

 

[squirrel]

If you think it's an allergy get her tested.

My niece was sick for months (She had just turned 3). She had blood tests, Urine, BM tests. It went on for about 6 months until finally my mom was able to get a Dr.'s appointment with a doctor that specializes in rare diseases (around the world). He diagnosed her with lactose intollerance.

She has been fine since we found this out. But you really have to look at all the product labels so carefully-things are not always labelled well (scientific names).

If you think it's an allergy-keep a food journal. Write down everything she eats and then mark down when you see the hives.

If it is an allergy the more times she is exposed to the food, the worse the reaction can get.

 

[allyphoe]

My non-medical vote is that it's highly unlikely to be a peanut allergy. If you're worried, call your pediatrician and ask for a RAST test - it's a blood draw, so you don't get an unnecessary exposure to the allergens. (I will say that a blood draw for a 3yo is not a fun experience.)

My DD had multiple food allergies (since outgrown, and her reaction was eczema + GI, so relatively non-serious - but she was reacting to traces passing through breastmilk, which many allergic kids won't react to at all), and still has multiple seasonal allergies (thankfully well-controlled by medication), and she does get random hives. The other day she had a whole patch of hives around one corner of her mouth, which we figured may have been a contact reaction to something she ate, but we couldn't figure out what that something may have been. And a month earlier, she had what we eventually concluded were viral hives - 3-4 days of hives all over her body, with no apparent trigger other than the cold she was just getting over. Hives are a weird thing.

I personally keep some Benadryl handy. It usually brings the hives down pretty quick.

 

[disnut8]

I wouldn't freak out. If you think it was the peanut butter and she "only" broke out in hives, try peanut butter again in a smaller dose. If there's no reaction this time, try again with a larger dose until she's back up to a full sandwich. If still no reaction, it's nothing. If she does have a reaction, then you know for sure. But you will be controlling it and watching for it.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

My son, age 2, has a severe anaphlyactic peanut allergy. I discovered it when he was about 14 months old. He had PB for the first time, and within 90 seconds was covered in hives and his eyes were swelling shut. His lips turned a chalky white and he began to have trouble breathing. Long story short... I immediately knew he had a severe peanut allergy! Your case sounds different...I wouldn't worry too much, just be careful: reintroduce PB carefully and be prepared with liquid Benadryl. We had extensive testing for my son(he has other nut allergies as well). I would do that if you're worried still. Benadryl can slow reactions enough(usually) before medical intervention is necessary. Good luck... it could be some random thing. But, if you have insurance and it's covered, I would reccomend visiting an allergist who can do the proper test. Good luck!

 

[mommycrawford]

Here in NY there are LOTS of kids with peanut allergies!...Even PEANUT FREE SCHOOLS, because it can be so life threatening. Find a good allergist and have the prick test because the blood test can come up with false possitives!
(my blood said allergic to peanuts, apples, etc., and I am not...had prick test!)

I have an amazing allergy doctor and have reccomended her to many children needing testing (yes, my own daughter was tested!) Ask around. Perhaps there is one that your pediatrician can reccomend! Because teachers cannot administer meds, it is VERY important to know what triggers the hives, as anaphalactic shock closes the airway and if you had not been right there and able to act quickly to a minor attack...what if?!!!

I don't mean to scare you, but I'd rather say it now than be sorry for you later.

 

[pudge the fish]

head over to the disABILITIES forum- lots of people over there who have kids with allergies to PNuts.

 

[KristyBDJ]

Just want to say thanks so much for everyone's thoughts. I know that I'm probably overreacating but you hear so much about peanut allergies and I panicked a little. I always thought...what happens if you have a horrible allergy to something and you don't even know until you have a terrible reaction? Just hope ou get help in time? YIKES! Anyway, I think I probably will ask her DR to test her. I just want to be safe. Thanks again guys!

 

[ekatiel]

Allergy testing, both RAST and Skin Prick Tests, can yield a LARGE amount of false positives (like 40-60%). The bottom line is, the only way to truly know that someone is allergic to a food is to eat the food an observe the reaction. You can do this in an allergist's office, if you are worried about a possible anaphylactic reaction. It is called a food challenge. "True" allergic reactions generally occur within two hours of ingesting the food. If it were me, I would do as a PP suggested, and give her a bit of peanut butter and observe her for 15 minutes (you can even start by placing a small amount on the outside of her lip, then the inside of her lip, etc), then double the amount you give her and observe her again for 15 minutes. Keep up this process until she's eaten an entire portion. Have benadryl ready, and give it as soon as you notice any sort of reaction (red rash around the mouth, hives anywhere on the body, swelling of any body part, vomiting, etc). Be prepared to call 911 if the reaction involves more than one system (the three systems are skin, breathing, and GI). You can also do this in a hospital cafeteria or ER parking lot if you are really concerned that she might have a reaction. Anyhow, the reason that I caution against going out a immediately getting allergy testing is that there are many kids out there today who are needlessly avoiding foods based on testing alone. As a mom of someone with multiple food allergies, I will tell you that avoiding foods is tough, and there's no reason to do it unless you're SURE that someone's got an allergy. That's just my 2 cents. --Katie