Peanut Allergy

[Nicoleclaw]

No Allergist does a trial if it is unsafe for your child. It is done in the office under controlled conditions. It has nothing to do with personal curiosity. Only certain children are candidates for the trial.

If the Dr. feels it is safe, why do so many parents still refuse? According to our Allergist, he has a hard time getting parents to agree. Much of the decisions surrounding allergies are based on fear and not facts.

I don't know why parents refuse...scared maybe? I know ours would not do dd's egg challenge 6 mo ago because she still reacted to the yolk on the skin test. I was sad! lol I am one that WANTS to know! But when he says it is time, open up sweetie, it is scrambled egg time! lol Especially with her in Kindergarten now. He plans on trying again in another 6 mo, and is optimistic.
So I can't answer your question, except to guess they have seen a bad reaction and don't want to see another?
I just reread your post....it sounded to me like their allergist was telling them the numbers were too high, I did not realize you meant they just felt that way. I really don't know why they would not do a challenge if the dr for all for it.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

There's backlash because it's imposing a change for all because of one child. Where does it end?

That goes back to what someone else mentioned about the ADA laws and everything being accessible. Although I have no clue as to what the statistics are for people who need ramps vs. severe peanut allergy. I am sure people thought everyone was nuts (sorry...lol) when they proposed spending all this money to make buildings accessible with ramps, etc.
Just playing the devil's advocate here though.
There might be other parents as well at that school who maybe never spoke up, but it would certainly make their child "safer" as well. With the rate of peanut allergies so high, I am sure there is more than one kid in the whole school who is allergic, unless the school is really small.

 

[LisaR]

No Allergist does a trial if it is unsafe for your child. It is done in the office under controlled conditions. It has nothing to do with personal curiosity. Only certain children are candidates for the trial.

If the Dr. feels it is safe, why do so many parents still refuse? According to our Allergist, he has a hard time getting parents to agree. Much of the decisions surrounding allergies are based on fear and not facts.

Excellent post! Our allergist says the exact same thing.

I know two different people personally that have children that reacted to peanuts around the age of 18 months. One of these kids is now 9 and the other one is 11. I don't even want to go out in public with them because they make such unreasonable demands (call the museum ahead of time and demand they not serve PB on the day their children will be there, alert all parents to avoid PB 24 hours before the event, etc).

Why are these demands unreasonable, some may ask? Because their children have never had a single reaction since the first one. They have never had a food challenge, period. They go on a blood test that is done every 3 years or so and it is gospel according to them. The funny thing is, they swear by the test when the numbers are high but when they drop, they say that is because the testing isn't accurate. When I point out that the tests may not be accurate when the numbers are high, they look at me like I am from Mars.

They are driven by fear, not fact. Both actually used the same allergist we are currently using and they both stopped going to this guy. Although they have never told me why, I truly believe it is because this allergist wants them to do a challenge and they refuse.

 

[denisenh]

after reading up to page 8 I am so grateful that my kids don't have bad allergies...i would be a wreak.
hugs to all on both sides of the peanut gallery.

 

[Mandychelle79]

I was very excited when my dd was able to challenge for milk.

BTW just so people dont think im really mean... If I knew that one of my dd's classmates had an allergy, I would try to make sure that any snacks I sent in for the room ( bdays, parties) were a safe food.

 

[sunnyday123]

I was very excited when my dd was able to challenge for milk.

BTW just so people dont think im really mean... If I knew that one of my dd's classmates had an allergy, I would try to make sure that any snacks I sent in for the room ( bdays, parties) were a safe food.

I doubt anyone would think you are mean, or not do the same thing. If I knew there was a child with a peanut allergy in the class I would most definitely make sure the item I sent was suitable for that child as well as everyone else, however the OP is talking about taking pb away from the entire school. Most of us just don't understand how this will help, as children would still possibly eat pb before school, or someone from another school could eat it on the bus, leave residue on the bus, and the the child with the allergy rides that bus. It could really never end.
I still stand by teaching the child the boundries needed by their allergy.

 

[Michelle67]

I don't know how to respond.....I guess I am sorry for being understanding?

I never suggested anything that you are referring to in the above quote. All I said is that if they needed diary restricted in my son or daughter's class, I would comply as to keep a young child safe.
As for the play-doh, I just read about that in an article about celiac disease. I had no idea about the wheat until that article. I really wouldn't care if they took play-doh out of school. My kids also don't play with it in the morning, but if they had a sudden urge to, I would tell them they have to wait until after school.

I do agree with you, there is the question of where does the line need to be drawn?? And people really don't have a clue what is safe for a child with allergies and also like you said what is in the food they are serving. Also like you stated, I may not agree it is the best way to go, but I understand the importance and would comply with a ban on whatever item. DD loves pb (yes i have it in the house with ds allergic, she is pretty good about washing face and hands after) and it would really stink if I couldn't send it in with her. But I think that is a good life lesson to teach her about caring for others.

No,no. You shouldn't be sorry for being understanding. I didn't jump on your post to jump on you personally, and I'm sorry if it felt that way. I jumped on your post only because it was the tipover point to a second food, which leads to a third ( I suggested wheat, which affects not only food service but other things including but not limited to Play Doh) and soon a fourth...and that leads to where do we draw the line?

I said let's do wheat too for my family, just as an example. My nephew is not anaphylactic, but he is severely allergic. And actually, it isn't only wheat, it is a gluten allergy. He does not have Celiac disease, thank heavens, but in terms of what you have to avoid it is the same thing. So let's say we do food bans to protect gluten-allergic children. There goes bread, at least the usual affordable bread that most people are used to and that is easily accessible. But it is soooo much more complex than that. The Play Doh was a throwaway. How about lunchmeats, hot dogs, etc? Do people realise there is gluten in those things? Can we feel secure by banning gluten, when so many people won't realise that it doesn't just mean bread and crackers? (This applies to peanuts as already mentioned, too.) How do we do all this? The answer is that in order to have people safely follow a ban--any ban-- we'd have to educate them. But if we educate them, a ban isn't necessary! Let's educate people instead of banning! The key is to avoid cross contamination, and if we can teach people not to cut their lettuce on the board they just cut their raw chicken on, and teach our toddlers to wash after using the potty, we can teach people to wash their hands and play surfaces at (and before) school too.

after reading up to page 8 I am so grateful that my kids don't have bad allergies...i would be a wreak.
hugs to all on both sides of the peanut gallery.

Okay, that was just plain funny. Thanks.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I would not ask the school to become peanut free, because I think it would be a false sense of security. Dd12 eats at the peanut free table (because one of her friends has an allergy - she refers to it as the loser table, since only a few kids eat there, but she refuses to abandon her friend, although others have), and has a poptart every day, because it's peanut free, and as the OP is definitely aware, many products are made with peanuts, but most people aren't aware of them.

I think you just inadvertently expressed a crux of the problem. You wouldn't ask a school to become peanut free...yet you admit that the separate table is not working out. "Loser" is a very harsh label to go through school with. I admire your daughter for standing up for her friend, though!

As for employing a false sense of security.....maybe. However, I think the OP is very aware of all the hidden dangers. As a parent though, isn't it a responsibility to remove every danger we possibly can? It is so easy to throw out a "I wouldn't do this or that" when we're talking about somebody else's child. When it comes down to the life of your own child.....all bets are off! Can you even imagine the struggle here? Keeping a child safe from a potentially life threatening allergy, while simultaneously securing the esteem of that child who may be called a loser over something completely out of his control? How would you handle it?

 

[Nancyg56]

They are driven by fear, not fact. Both actually used the same allergist we are currently using and they both stopped going to this guy. Although they have never told me why, I truly believe it is because this allergist wants them to do a challenge and they refuse.

I believe that there are some parents who like the special circumstances the allergy presents. These few are the same ones who will force school systems to make changes that may not be needed and I believe the same kind of parents who make reasonable solutions so difficult.

As for employing a false sense of security.....maybe. However, I think the OP is very aware of all the hidden dangers. As a parent though, isn't it a responsibility to remove every danger we possibly can? It is so easy to throw out a "I wouldn't do this or that" when we're talking about somebody else's child. When it comes down to the life of your own child.....all bets are off! Can you even imagine the struggle here? Keeping a child safe from a potentially life threatening allergy, while simultaneously securing the esteem of that child who may be called a loser over something completely out of his control? How would you handle it?

The OP is looking into making radical changes in school to support a theory that has not been tested. I support making any changes possible to keep the young ones safe but would not go along with changes based on a hunch. I think that most reasonable adults would support changes based on test results but as the example above shows, not all parents will approve tests, without that documentation why would other parents make drastic changes in their child's life?

My DGD only takes peanut butter for her lunch. She has not been able to buy the school lunch because the selections so far have included ingredients she is allergic to. Right now her class leaves their lunches and backpacks out of the room and there is a peanut free table in the cafe. If she needed to eat something else to keep her classmate safe she and her Mom would comply and they would not feel imposed upon. But if they were asked to limit her few choices because a parent "thought" that the changes would make a difference but had no documentation besides a guess then the change would not come without resentment. Thankfully every accommodation for kids with allergies has been addressed one child at a time and no blanket policies have been imposed. Parents and children together have worked to make school at the elementary level friendly, safe and inclusive. Once a parent pushes for radical blanket policies one way or another I' afraid that atmosphere will change.

 

[ntsammy5]

run Ami!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

run Ami!

No no no....it's all good. I can appreciate everything Nancy has to say. I believe it is THIS kind of exploration of this topic that is necessary to achieve the correct balance. I do think the OP was simply curious about the existence of peanut-free schools, the rate of success they have and really if it could be a viable option for his son. As a responsible and loving parent it is only natural for these kinds of options to be considered. His son doesn't choose to have this allergy, & already has enough on his shoulders knowing that dangers are out there. The poor child has to go to school, but imagine the stress on a 6 year old (& parents) when going to school is no more safe than playing in traffic!

Ultimately, with guidance from the Doctor and compassion from the community, the right plan of action will be put in place for this little boy. Until then, carry on. Both sides of the argument have validity. Just don't loose sight that the life of an innocent child is at the heart of the matter. Educate yourselves, because an allergic child is in your community too.

 

[KATHINOWA]

I have to say I think it's ridiculous to think that by having a peanut-free school the next step would be to ban peanut butter from your home.

My son is allergic to peanuts. When he started tp play baseball I bought his own bat, helmet, etc. to avoid a possible exposure to someone else's peanut smear on a bat, helmet. I worry when he plays soccer that the ball could have peanut residue and when he does a throw in, he could react to it. The books we check out of the library could have peanut residue on them, the subway car, the stair railing on a public building, etc. The list is endless. Do I let it stop us from going out in public? No. Do I expect the whole world to stop eating peanuts? No. Do I even expect my whole family to stop eating peanuts? No.

However, the day the letter came home from our school that pbj would not be served and they were requesting that it not be sent in, I cried. To not have to worry about this issue is such a relief.

An example--When he was in kindergarten, he brought in cupcakes for his birthday. He was allowed to go around to a few teachers and offer them cupcakes. The teachers usually gave them a prize or something for their birthday. One teacher threw a handful of pb cups in the container with his cupcakes before he could say anything. He was so upset when he came home that he would have to throw out his cupcakes. Now this will not happen to another child. I didn't make a scene when it happened because the teacher didn't know he was allergic. We no longer have to worry about pb being used in crafts, etc. This is such a relief.

I feel awful for the children allergic to milk, eggs, wheat, soy, and everything else. I don't know what the solution to the problem is. If the only thing your child will eat is pbj, I have no problem with it. At least now the issue is out in the open and the children are being asked to wash their hands, etc.

I do have a problem with people thinking oh now, no pb in school, next it won't be allowed in my home. Don't be ridiculous! Flame away.

 

[mjkacmom]

Keeping a child safe from a potentially life threatening allergy, while simultaneously securing the esteem of that child who may be called a loser over something completely out of his control? How would you handle it?

When dd referred to it as the "loser" table, I asked her what that meant. The girl isn't referred to as a loser, it's just that not many kids eat at that table - most of the other kids with allergies take their chances and sit with their friends at other tables.

I think the problem with having a peanut table is that a lot of kids would eat at other tables, not knowing their granola bars contained peanut oil. At the peanut free table, all foods are examined, and labels read, by the lunch aides, before one can eat. That would be hard if the majority of tables were peanut free.

Only a couple of my kids eat peanut butter, and rarely, so it's not an issue for us.

 

[mfd25wife]

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!

Just popping in for .

 

[Nancyg56]

run Ami!

Gosh, I hope that this was not directed at me. I support most measure that ensure that each child is not only safe but is not treated as a pariah in school. I have a young DGD with multiple allergies as well as a health condition that makes life a little difficult for her and have felt blessed that her school takes a sensible well thought direction when dealing with allergies.

I have encountered those parents who steamroll in to make changes based on convenience, hunches, guesses and whims. Those parents along with the parents who refuse to make the simplest compromise for another child's safety have backed school systems into having to ban food at school parties, celebrations etc in order to avoid a conflict that would be long and bitter.

I do sympathize with the OP, but before seeking a solution to a problem I think finding out if the problem exists is the istep. Once exploration begins it may be difficult to stop the progression of a policy written in stone.

No no no....it's all good. I can appreciate everything Nancy has to say. I believe it is THIS kind of exploration of this topic that is necessary to achieve the correct balance.

I hope that you did not feel I was arguing with you. I actually was agreeing with your post.

 

[2goofycampers]

This man is fighting for his childs health and possibly his life. I give him credit for that, so many Dad's leave this totally up to Mom.

I have to say my son ate Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch cereal almost every morning before school. I would have gladly gave him something else to ensure the safety of an allergic child at school if the need be, without complaint and saved his favorite for the weekends and off school days.

Why can't this be done for kids who bring PB in their lunches?

 

[jax677]

My problem with eliminating one thing from schools is where should they stop? It is a slippery slope. I dont' think they will ever tell someone they can't eat what they want in their home, but what mother won't want their childs allergies protected at school? I feel all severe allergies are the same. All should be eliminated or none. Otherwise I will be one to fight it.

 

[LisaR]

I do have a problem with people thinking oh now, no pb in school, next it won't be allowed in my home. Don't be ridiculous! Flame away.

Sorry, but you are wrong. There was a mom that tried to ban kids from eating PB before they got on the bus in the morning. This happened during the 2001 school year in the town I was living in. Her alternative, when things weren't going her way, was for the bus driver to hand out wipes to every child as they got on the bus. She didn't win that request either. There was a very simple solution to her problem. Drive her kid to school but she never entertained that option.

There will always be the extreme people out there. If schools unilaterally ban PB in their buildings, there will be lunatics that try to take it a step further. Maybe it won't work; maybe it will eventually.

 

[dreamer17555]

My problem with eliminating one thing from schools is where should they stop? It is a slippery slope. I dont' think they will ever tell someone they can't eat what they want in their home, but what mother won't want their childs allergies protected at school? I feel all severe allergies are the same. All should be eliminated or none. Otherwise I will be one to fight it.

ITA Just saying if the PB can be banned then so should dairy so my son is safe, and so should eggs, soy, wheat, ect... for the other children.

-Becca-

 

[livndisney]

This man is fighting for his childs health and possibly his life. I give him credit for that, so many Dad's leave this totally up to Mom.

I have to say my son ate Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch cereal almost every morning before school. I would have gladly gave him something else to ensure the safety of an allergic child at school if the need be, without complaint and saved his favorite for the weekends and off school days.

Why can't this be done for kids who bring PB in their lunches?

Because it is not as simple as that. Several times in this thread (and other like it) people have brought up how some children/adults may need peanut butter. (not a matter of being "picky") Banning peanut butter is removing a "safe" food from another child and therefore is not fair.

It is also not fair for those with other allergies. Why are the lives of the peanut allergy children more important than a child with a life threatening milk allergy? Do you think a school would ban milk? Soy? Eggs? Apples? Wheat?

Where does it stop? Do we expect the children to attend school for 6 hours and injest nothing but water? Or to we teach the children both allergic and non, how to live together? What does a ban teach? "My" needs are more important than yours.