Peanut Allergy

[BRDof3]

Good morning. DW and I are trying to deal with DS who started K-garten this year, and is highly allergic to peanuts. Since the diagnosis 4 years ago his sensitivity has been steadily declining as we have gotten better at keeping potential contamination away.

We tested him last week and compared it to April, and he has WORSENED by almost 50%. That means he is now more sensitive than in April, and that means he has been getting brush-by exposures to the proteins. The only environmental change has been the addition of school every day.

The school has worked with us, giving parents restrictions on snacks in the classroom. At lunch he sits at a "peanut free" table (don't get me started on that concept), and can have 2 friends with him as long as their lunch passes muster. DW and I are now trying to cope with the fact that all this isn't helping and he is getting worse.

His level is going beyond High, into Dangerous. At least part of what we will be doing is asking the school to go peanut-free. That means a lot of resisting from parents who pack peanut butter in lunches, and can't stand it when someone else tells them what to do. I'm sure that the principal will also resist the idea.

Does anyone know of schools or districts that have instituted peanut-free policies? Seen any articles about this, or know where I might find some? I know that schools have done this, and we need to have ammunition at hand before we start down that road. If anyone can point me to some information to help with this it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[lovesmurfs]

I did a google on peanut free school districts and found a great number of resources to help you as you work with the school system.

I don't have any first hand knowledge of the allergy, but best wishes.

 

[JessicaR]

This is a good start!

http://www.peanutaware.com/school_tips.html

http://www.allergizer.com/50226711/peanutfree_schools_the_debate_goes_on.php

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=43534

http://www.newsnet5.com/education/4305177/detail.html

http://nut-freemom.blogspot.com/2008/08/where-are-all-nut-free-schools.html

http://blogs.columbiatribune.com/education/2007/09/peanutfree_school.html

 

[anoniemouse]

 

[Trish Bessette]

So sorry you are dealing with this. Although this is somewhat off the subject I wanted you to know that there is a company close to where I live in Vermont that makes Nut Free Chocolates! You should check them out at vermontnutfree.com - maybe there are some holiday goodies there for your son!!

 

[lil mermaid]

While I understand how scary this must be to you, I would caution you to explore every single other option available to you before you head down this road. Think of your son and what it will do to him. He will become the most hated child in school and this reputation will follow him for the rest of his school years.

I see what you are saying, but come on - the "the most hated child in school?" Over peanuts?

 

[Planogirl]

Remember too that kids often have peanut butter before school and can have it on their hands or clothing. Peanut free school will help of course but there's no guarantee of the environment ever being 100% clean.

Sorry that you have to deal with this.

 

[anoniemouse]

.

 

[Aristomommy]

At your child's age, it is very difficult to keep a peanut free environment, even if no peanut products were allowed at schools. It will be in kids clothing, hands and school supplies.

I have kids with allergies and I also grew up with a brother who had dangerous allergies. My mother homeschooled him for a year to keep him safe, and you may need to do this as well. There are many studies that state peanut allergies will get better by age and many kids are eligible for desensitization protocols which are helpful.

I would recommend to pick your battles, the school is doing their best with the peanut free table (not sure what your issue is with that). If you feel your child is still in danger, you may need to keep him home. Why cause a stir when that may not get to the root of the problem? Children will come into the building with peanut residue and at this age they are not as careful as they can be a year or two down the road.

 

[anoniemouse]

.

 

[KATHINOWA]

My DS (10) has an extreme peanut allergy as well.

This year our district has stopped selling peanut butter sandwiches. They also requested that pbj sandwiches not be sent in for lunch, field trips, parties, etc. They also requested that peanuts not be sent in for parties.

Notice I said requested. I'm not sure legally if a district/school could be peanut free. There are too many liabilities involived in the issue.

There are still parents who send in pbj for lunch or brownies w/nuts for parties. It's a very delicate situation. I hate the whole idea of peanut free tables. My son has never sat at one. I think they should make "peanut tables" and have those kids sit separated from the other children.

The world is not peanut free or even peanut allergy friendly. I just want school to be a safe place for ALL kids.

I hope your son (and you) realizes he is not alone in this.

 

[Mermaid02]

Bangor Maine has had peanut free schools....

I will also say, do NOT dismiss what "anoniemous" had to say- while most people are understanding- there is that element that is NOT and they are usually VERY vocal. The Child in this area has had a VERY hard time.... my daughter isn't in school anymore, but last year I know at times the other kids gave the allergic child a really hard time.

 

[minniebeth]

to you and your family and son....I have a DD with a life threatening allergy and I understand the battles you are confronted with.

 

[meeskamouska]

Have you looked into a school with a smaller population?

I understand about keeping your child safe. I have a child with a compromised immune system.

But, I would never ask that the school implement rules that would only serve my child. And I would be a parent that would not do so well if my child (who is very picky) could not eat a pb&j. Call me crazy....it just would be like me standing at the door with a thermometer checking everyones temp before allowing them to be in contact with my dd.

I choose to send her to private school to keep her in an enviroment with less (as in fewer) germy kids and a better teacher/student ratio.

Hope that you find a resolution that works for you all.

 

[Erin1700]

You know, I was going to post a thread about peanut allergies. I may someday know what you are going through. My DS who is a baby tested positive for a peanut allergy and he has never had peanuts. His blood work number was .96 I believe. The nurse was of no help when I asked what a child who has a severe peanut allergy would show? You certainly do not have to tell me your child's number, but if anyone could give me a hint as to whether your severly allergic kids show 20 or 100, I would appreciate it!

I would never ask that the whole school go peanut free if my kid had that severe an allergy. What about the 1st grader who sneaks a piece of candy in his pocket and eats it at recess and it contains peanuts? He does not wash his hands and uses the pencil that belongs to the child that is allergic? I don't believe you can go entirely free.

 

[Barbossa]

Have you looked into a school with a smaller population?

I understand about keeping your child safe. I have a child with a compromised immune system.

But, I would never ask that the school implement rules that would only serve my child. And I would be a parent that would not do so well if my child (who is very picky) could not eat a pb&j. Call me crazy....it just would be like me standing at the door with a thermometer checking everyones temp before allowing them to be in contact with my dd.

I choose to send her to private school to keep her in an enviroment with less (as in fewer) germy kids and a better teacher/student ratio.

Hope that you find a resolution that works for you all.

I agree. My DD7 is allergic to peanuts. Her school has peanut free tables that she eats at, and the cafeterias do not serve food with nuts in it. That said, we don't believe in a militant approach. The world does not revolve around my daughter, and I think it's not in my daughter's best interest to inconvenience an entire population of students. If she was hypersensitive (and she's not), we would also consider other options like a private school etc.

 

[laughinplace199]

Good morning. DW and I are trying to deal with DS who started K-garten this year, and is highly allergic to peanuts. Since the diagnosis 4 years ago his sensitivity has been steadily declining as we have gotten better at keeping potential contamination away.

We tested him last week and compared it to April, and he has WORSENED by almost 50%. That means he is now more sensitive than in April, and that means he has been getting brush-by exposures to the proteins. The only environmental change has been the addition of school every day.

The school has worked with us, giving parents restrictions on snacks in the classroom. At lunch he sits at a "peanut free" table (don't get me started on that concept), and can have 2 friends with him as long as their lunch passes muster. DW and I are now trying to cope with the fact that all this isn't helping and he is getting worse.

His level is going beyond High, into Dangerous. At least part of what we will be doing is asking the school to go peanut-free. That means a lot of resisting from parents who pack peanut butter in lunches, and can't stand it when someone else tells them what to do. I'm sure that the principal will also resist the idea.

Does anyone know of schools or districts that have instituted peanut-free policies? Seen any articles about this, or know where I might find some? I know that schools have done this, and we need to have ammunition at hand before we start down that road. If anyone can point me to some information to help with this it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

What does your allergist say about the test results? I have a child who is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. Her test results have yo-yo'd up and down over the years. Her allergist says it's not necessarily her allergy getting better or worse. A lot depends on what's going on in the child's system on the day of testing (seasonal allergies and other illnesses can tax the child's system and results may appear worse as a result).

If your allergist agrees that your child's allergy is getting worse, perhaps you can have him/her assist you in dealing with the school?

Good luck! I hope things work out for you. It can be so stressful trying to keep our kiddos safe.

 

[Scornelius]

I don't think I would ever ask a school to go peanut free, if only because I could never trust that every single student and parent would abide by the rules. I don't know the size of the school you're talking about, but all the elementary schools in this area have about 800-1000 students. There ARE going to be some folks in the mix who wont understand the seriousness of your son's allergies, and even among those who try, mistakes will inevitably be made.

I think I would give some serious thought to homeschooling. If your son's life is potentially at stake, I couldn't trust other people to keep him safe. As a mom-to-be, I can't imagine being in your situation! I hope everything works out for you and your little boy!

 

[Christine]

My son is almost 14 and has had a lifelong peanut allergy (diagnosed when he was 8 months). He has been tested a few times and his allergy is always in the dangerous level. However, I have never been told by my allergist that the changes in his levels (sometimes they flucuate and go up and down) are due to exposures of any kind (which he has never had) or do they go down by strict avoidance. I've been told they just "are what they are." Now I will be seeing a new allergist on December 16th so I'm definitely going to question this. I guess my point is that I'd be really hard pressed to ask for peanut free schools unless I was 100% sure that the school was causing the allergen to worsen. I'm not sure that this is fact and you are sort of drawing a conclusion here. As simple as it seems to avoid peanut butter sandwiches, it can be very hard on others to do so. Personally, I would just have to be so sure that the school and exposure was the culprit here before I could do that.

 

[alyssa221]

I have a 5 yr old dd in kindergarten. thank goodness she has no allergies. however, she is a very picky eater and one of the few things she eats is peanut butter. should she starve all day because of a peanut butter ban in the cafeteria in public school? I see nothing wrong with a peanut free table and classroom.