Peanut Allergy

[2littleprincesses28]

Hi guys this is OT..but my daughter(2) was diagnosed with peanut allergy today and I am TOTALLY freaked out. She had eaten a few peanut m&ms before and had no reaction but we were making cookies and she got the peanutbutter on her hand and face and she got hives and swelled. We now have EPI pens and are starting to learn about labels...but peanuts are in EVERYTHING or it was made in the same plant as other peanut products. I have a few questions...anyone have experience with this? Where to get good info and info on safe places to eat. How about traveling to WDW with a peanut allergy??? Also she loves plain M&M's but they are made in a factory that uses peanuts...does anyone know of a generic or organic type of "M&M" that is safe? Thanks so much...I need lots of reassurance right now...I am really scared,

 

[squirrel]

WDW is great for people with allergies. On the DisAbilities Board I found a lady that sent me a form (e-mail) to fill out with all of our ADR's and I sent it back. The chefs knew what my niece couldn't eat and they came out to the table and told us what they were able to make for her. They also made sure at our resort that there was non dairy cheese (pizzas) and tofutti (non-dairy ice cream) available for my niece.

When talking with the floor manager at Pop, she mentioned that up in Canada we have better factories for the people with peanut allergies. She said that someone she was talking to ordered boxes of granola bars from up here to use at her daycare centre. We have lots of packages snack items for lunch boxes that have the no-peanut symbol on them.

I found that the US had more non-dairy products that we can't get up here. I don't know if you make any trips up to Canada, but check around maybe friends or neighbours might be able to pick up some things if they are going.

 

[shelly3girls]

We deal with a tree nut allergy. Once you get familiar with reading labels it just becomes something you live with. WDW is great and very helpful. The chef at each restaurant will come out and tell you exactly what is safe. Definitely bring some candy with you though b/c all Disney candy has the nut warning on it. We were concerned about Beaches and Cream but they were amazing. They literally disinfected everything before it touched DD's food and went in the back to get ice cream containers that were safe.

There is a great website that sells nut free candy but I do not remember exactly what it is. When I remember it I will post it. I cannot stress enough how you need to read every label. Many foods you would not even imagine have the nut warning including gummy bears.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Hi - just sending what reassurance I can, as you seemed really nervous and there weren't any answers yet. - I don't have this particular allergy myself, but I know several people who do, and I expect it's just late and you'll get a lot of answers when people read it tomorrow! * (If you don't, PM me and I will get some product info from a friend for you.)

* and two just while I was typing - must be a slower typist than I thought!

 

[Leajess99]

Hi guys this is OT..but my daughter(2) was diagnosed with peanut allergy today and I am TOTALLY freaked out. She had eaten a few peanut m&ms before and had no reaction but we were making cookies and she got the peanutbutter on her hand and face and she got hives and swelled. We now have EPI pens and are starting to learn about labels...but peanuts are in EVERYTHING or it was made in the same plant as other peanut products. I have a few questions...anyone have experience with this? Where to get good info and info on safe places to eat. How about traveling to WDW with a peanut allergy??? Also she loves plain M&M's but they are made in a factory that uses peanuts...does anyone know of a generic or organic type of "M&M" that is safe? Thanks so much...I need lots of reassurance right now...I am really scared,

Definiteyl do not take your child to raffertys if you have one as they use Peanut oil to cook stuff in. Regular Chips Ahoy cookies used to not be a peanut allergen but the last time I had to check that was 2 years ago. Also be aware that many cake mixes are peanut allergens as well (something else I found out 2 years ago). My 10 year old has had some kids with peanut allergies in her class and I have made it a point to always make sure we do not have anything with peanust for snacks to take to schools.

Most chocolate candies are made in the same factories as peanuts.

Also Chik-Fil-A uses Peanut oil to cook the chicken and waffle fries.

 

[Leajess99]

Here is some other helpful information for you. I hope these help.

http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/nut_allergy.html

http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=62 - this one is a list of what to watch for.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/gen/allergy.pdf

 

[VBsHustla]

I'm allergic to peanuts, and I've eaten Hershey's Kissables as an M&M substitute.

 

[Erin1700]

My baby showed positive for a peanut allergy on a blood test. We had never given him peanuts or peanut butter.
We found out that Chik Fil A uses peanut oil so we do not go there.

 

[camouseketeer]

I'm allergic to peanuts, and I've eaten Hershey's Kissables as an M&M substitute.

Yep. These are the best! My DD has a peanut allergy and we use these as a substitute for M&M's. My allergist is conservative and tells me not to worry about "made in a nut facility label" but he was definite about not eating m&m's, plain or peanut, as even the plain ones probably have peanuts in them.

As you child gets to school age, you'll find that kissables are a great resource to have. I had a tough time finding them during the holidays. When you do find them, stock up, so you'll always have some. (I'm searching now for ones for Valentine's Day!)

Thanks so much...I need lots of reassurance right now...I am really scared,

There's lots to learn and yes, it can be scary, but information is your shield. Look at the websites the PP listed. They are very helpful and supportive.

The best of luck to you and your DD!

 

[2littleprincesses28]

thanks everyone...I need all the advice and tips on this
i can get!! You all aew AWESOME!!! keep the tips coming and the tips about WDW are great too!!

 

[aussietravellers]

I am sorry that you have found about this.

But I just wanted to let you know that I am in my late 30's and I have had a life threatening peanut allergy my whole life. Your daughter will grow up knowing no different and will grow quite acustomed to avoiding peanuts, like it is second nature. I check all labels of everything I buy (and everything my family eats as we do not have anything containing nuts in the house as I only need a tiny trace to have a reaction, I have even had a reaction from inhaling steam from a satay meal), I don't even think before reading a label, even if I have been buying a product for years, I still just pick it up and read the label, don't even realise I'm doing it.

As far as travelling to WDW with a peanut allergy. There is no better place in the world to travel with an allergy. I have travelled all around the world (just came back from Disneyland Paris which was a nightmare with it came to food) but WDW were AMAZING. When you eat there at TS restaurants, the chef will come out and tell you what is safe and what is not safe to eat off the menu or buffet. If you make an ADR then mention the allergy and the chef will have you in his notebook by the time you have arrived and be prepared, but if you don't make an ADR, it's still no problem, just tell them when checking in about the allergy and they will get your server to bring the chef out. You can also email Disney before and they will email you a list of safe snacks that you can eat around the park (I think it was them who emailed it, I may have found it on a forum/board)

I advise on removing all peanut products from your house, that doesn't just include food. You must check your lipsticks, sunscreens, makeup, shampoos, conditioners, moisturisers, many of these products can contain peanut oil. Everything, you need to check the labels on EVERYTHING. There are a lot of funny names out there also for peanuts, Arachis Oil, Loramine Wax, Peanutamide, Food additive 322 lecithins, and I think there are some more. Wipes are very handy to carry all the time too.

I do not eat M&M's of any description. Do not eat anywhere without asking what oil they cook with, peanut oil is becoming very common in cooking and not just in asian restaurants. Do not eat anything for that matter without checking the ingredients, if you get an "I don't think so" at a restaurant, ask them if they would mind checking with the chef. I believe in America there are many websites that sell peanut free products. There is a good board www.peanutallergy.com they have a forum and there are many parents there with kids with PA. But just know that it is certainly scarier for you as the parent that it will be for your daughter when she is older and able to take control of this herself. It's hard, well I don't find it hard (because I have grown up with it), but it will be hard to totally remove something from your life that you are used to having around and learn to avoid it, it will be hard until it becomes that way that you don't need to think, before it becomes natural to be peanut free, which sounds a bit strange but there may be times that you will pick something up and not think for a minute then remember "oh peanuts, and check", but there will be a time and certainly for your daughter will grow up not knowing any different being two, when you won't need to remember, because avoiding and checking will just come naturally.

Anyway, all the best with it, enjoy your WDW vacations as they are just so good with allergies.

 

[mlynn]

Hi guys this is OT..but my daughter(2) was diagnosed with peanut allergy today and I am TOTALLY freaked out. She had eaten a few peanut m&ms before and had no reaction but we were making cookies and she got the peanutbutter on her hand and face and she got hives and swelled. We now have EPI pens and are starting to learn about labels...but peanuts are in EVERYTHING or it was made in the same plant as other peanut products. I have a few questions...anyone have experience with this? Where to get good info and info on safe places to eat. How about traveling to WDW with a peanut allergy??? Also she loves plain M&M's but they are made in a factory that uses peanuts...does anyone know of a generic or organic type of "M&M" that is safe? Thanks so much...I need lots of reassurance right now...I am really scared,

Here is a great website my daughters allergiest gave us. There are alot of children(my dd4) with nut allergy's. Reading labels comes a habit. Disney is great with allergies. We were at chef mickey and a women to the chef she had a gloutin allergy adn he brought her something out personally. You just carry your epipen and I would also get some fo those Bendryl single server and carry them as well.

You just can't freak out you just have watch more.

http://www.foodallergy.org/

 

[liznboys]

I'm so sorry.

My second son (age 7 now) was determined to have a peanut allergy through testing at age 1.5 (and we also began to avoid all tree nuts and shellfish). I remember feeling SO overhwhelmed and thinking how in the world are we going to deal with this, nuts are everywhere!?!?! Well over time it turned out to be not as hard as I originally felt. We simply got used to it and it became second nature. There are PLENTY of safe foods out there! And companies have gotten better at labeling so that is great.

Disney is great with the allergies, the chef's we've spoken with at the table service places have all been simply wonderful! So kind and willing to go out of their way and do whatever you want/need.

Here's a site with nut free stuff. I've ordered from there and they are great:
http://www.vermontnutfree.com/

I used the http://www.peanutallergy.com/boards/ a lot at first.

The Kissables were what we turned to in place of M&M's as well, we also stopped eating at any place that used peanut oil to fry (including ChickFilA).

My son is now not considered allergic to peanut anymore (he may never have been) but we still believe he has a tree nut allergy so we avoid those still.

Hang in there, it will be ok!!

 

[michael's mom]

Hello,
We learned that our DS was peanut allergic when he was 16 months old. My father shared a taste of his peanut butter on a pita sandwich with my son (old habit, he shared with us before they Dr.'s told you not to give them peanuts before 2). My son had a complete anaphylactic reaction (short of becoming unconcious) and we spent a day in the hospital.

As scary as it is, I will assure you that it does get easier. As one PP mentioned, it becomes second nature to check ingredients. Chips Ahoy (regular at least) are still safe. Oreo cookies are safe too the last I checked. My son loves hershey kisses and York peppermint patties.

Nestle TollHouse morsels are not safe (traces or equipment warning) but Hershey's makes a morsel to make cookies that is safe. In fact, we are potty training DS now and rather than use M&M's when he uses the potty, I bought the Hershey's milk chocolate morsels for baking cookies and use those.

Most restaurants (chains at least) will be great about accommodating. We ate at Red Robin and the manager hand-delivered my son's meal assuring us that it was prepared on a safe surface with safe utensils. Bertucci's has been pretty good to us and they came recommended from friends whose son has been peanut allergic for a few years now.

As far as Disney and the allergy...my only experience was with my husband's shellfish allergy in 2007. We told the waitress that he was allergic to shrimp, crab, lobster and several minutes later, the chef was at our table to discuss my husbands meal with him. Reports are that they have only gotten better with this.

I was on the AllEarsNet website and they have a whole lot of information on traveling to Disney with a food allergy. One user wrote about how his wife printed up business cards indicating that the child had a particular food allergy and that the kitchen needed to avoid such and such....you just hand it to the wait staff to attach to your order.

We are on the dining plan when we go in April and I have it indicated on all of my ADR's already, but I will also be calling the Chef's line ahead of time to indicate it again...and when we are eating, if the waitstaff doesn't ask, I will be sure to tell them again.

Some safe snacks that I buy my son:

chips ahoy
oreos
goldfish crackers
teddy grahams
lorna doone
BARNUM animal crackers (check others because Stauffers has nuts in it)
Fig Newtons
Ritz
Wheat Thins
He eats Doritos when my husband has them
Lays Potato chips when they are around (NOT Kettle chips...warning label there too)
My son loves Nutrigrain bars too
His morning breakfast is yogurt (asks for it before his diaper change)

I will not order him ice cream from ice cream shops because of the use of the scoops from one flavor to the next, but most soft serve should be fine as long as it is the typical chocolate, vanilla, swirl. Some machines have flavors that they can add to the ice cream right out of the nozzle...there is usually a peanut flavor so as always, you still need to tell them about the allergy ahead of time.

I know that it is a lot to take in at once. It will definitely get easier and your child will learn very quickly if you teach her. My son knows that some foods will make him sick. When we are at the supermarket or pharmacy where they have all of the candy at arms reach for the lil' ones, my son has heard me say over and over, "No Michael, you can't touch that. It has peanuts. It will make you sick." Now, when we are at those places, he tells me, "That will make me sick Mommy" and when I ask why he tells me "it has peanuts".

It is important (IMO) to teach her right away to ask your permission to eat food and that some food will make her sick because when she goes to school or birthday parties without you, she will need to be responsible for this. I am a 1st grade teacher and my school is "peanut/tree nut safe" meaning we do not allow any peanut/tree nut product (even warning labels with traces, equipment, etc.) I will tell you, most schools will not do this and I have seen students with this allergy that thought nothing of just grabbing any food (before the nut ban), only to have his hand slapped by the other child with the allergy telling him "that has nuts, you can't eat that".

I went to see Dr. Michael Young speak on the issue. He is an allergist working up her in Weymouth, MA but he wrote a very popular book on Peanut Allergies. Someone in the audience asked about flying and he said that most allergies are not airborn and that actual ingestion of the protein is necessary for a reaction but that you should have 2 epi-pens for every hour of travel. Therefore, for my 3 hour flight, I am taking all 8 of my sons pens ( I'm overpacking).

Okay, I have been writing way too much. I sympathize with you. I know how frightened you must be. It will definitely get easier.

There are plenty of

 

[mlynn]

Hi guys this is OT..but my daughter(2) was diagnosed with peanut allergy today and I am TOTALLY freaked out. She had eaten a few peanut m&ms before and had no reaction but we were making cookies and she got the peanutbutter on her hand and face and she got hives and swelled. We now have EPI pens and are starting to learn about labels...but peanuts are in EVERYTHING or it was made in the same plant as other peanut products. I have a few questions...anyone have experience with this? Where to get good info and info on safe places to eat. How about traveling to WDW with a peanut allergy??? Also she loves plain M&M's but they are made in a factory that uses peanuts...does anyone know of a generic or organic type of "M&M" that is safe? Thanks so much...I need lots of reassurance right now...I am really scared,

Just rereading your thread a saw that the your Ashlyn(is she the one with the allergy?) If so what is funny is my DD4 has the allergy and her name is also Ashlyn.

 

[GoofyFairie]

OP I know it is over whelming, but it is very doable. Always remember to carry your epi pens and benadryl with you as well as hand wipes, they are very handy in a pinch when you can't get to soap and water. Hand sanitzer is not a substitute- it will just spread the allergen around your hands instead of removing it. Order your choclate from vermont nut free choolate; they have great choclate chips and cocoa as well. Check out foodallergy.org and I recommend the book Food Allergies for Dummies by Dr. Wood. He is a pediatric allergist who has lived with peanut allergy himself and has lots of good information. Then pass the book on to family memebrs to read so they can be educated and helpful in caring for your child. You must also read every label to see what has peanuts and yes there are a lot of contaminated foods. Now, take a deep breath, you are doing well and will learn how to care for your child.

 

[abc123mom]

It's ok to be freaked out. At 13 months my daughter was confirmed anaphylactic to egg, soy, dairy, peanut and treenut. Now at age five, she hasn't outgrown any of the allergies and they are a part of her daily life. There are still many food options out there. Prepackaged foods most generally are not an option. ALWAYS read labels. Even foods you find are "safe" you need to continue reading the labels, manufacturers change ingredients on a whim so what you buy one week could be different the next. After awhile it will become routine and you WILL feel less overwhelmed.

My daughter has been to Disney twice and we have had WONDERFUL experiences eating there. In fact, Disney restaurants are the only restaurants where we've let our daughter eat off the menu. Around home we just bring a packed meal with us. Even when she was under three they would bring a separately prepared, safe meal to the table for her at no charge.

I would definitely second the disablities board and foodallergy.org. At foodallergy.org you can find info on which airlines are safer to fly, a consideration if you are flying to Disney. When our daughter was younger, and still putting her hands in her mouth often, we always took her carseat on planes to help prevent her from touching something unsafe and then putting her hands in her mouth. We still wiped down the seat and area around her first.

I know it's scary and overwhelming. It will get better with time, practice, knowledge and support. Feel free to PM me with any more specific questions.

 

[scoochie75]

Disney is fantastic for kids with allergies. We found out my oldest ds was allergic (anaphylactic reaction) to peanuts 3 weeks before his first trip to Disney - when he was just shy of 3 yo. To say the least I was terrified to take him anywhere - especially 14 hours from home - but the people at Disney were fantastic. When you make reservations they take all the allergy information down and tag your reservation - then at the restaurants a chef comes to your table and details out everything they can and can not have. As a general rule - desserts are out b/c they are not made at the restaurants but sent in from an outside facility. I love bringing him to Disney b/c I feel so comfortable there - we have been 4 times since our first visit and are going again this summer - he just turned 7 and his numbers on his blood test just keep going higher.

You get used to living with it - it becomes a way of life. New challenges arise - like school, birthday parties, playdates without you - but since you have no choice you find a way to make it all work. Constantly check your labels - do not get comfortable that something is safe b/c that does change. When we first found out about his allergies Toll House chips were safe - now they aren't. There are quite a few other things that have changed - came along with the new labeling laws.
My best word of advice is to teach your child a healthy way to live with her allergies. Make her understand the severity of it but don't let her become afraid of it to the point that she can't function around food. My sister was so neurotic about my nephews peanut allergies that she made him crazy about it. At 10 he was having panic attacks when anyone served him food that wasn't his parents - it was horrible to watch - broke my heart. Teach her to be in control of her allergy.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

My dd was diagnosed with multiple food allergies (soy, kiwi, watermelon also false postivies (skin and blood) for peanuts and hazelnuts) at the age of 12, literally 30 days before a WDW trip. I was soooo stressed about where/what she could eat! The special diets coordinator and the head chefs helped us to plan ahead, then the chefs at each restaurant were incredibly helpful and kind while we were there. I cried at 50s PTC when the chef made dd's favorite meal there safe for her.

It will get easier as you incorporate the changes into your daily life. Grocery shopping at first took FOREVER. Try to go without your girls so you can take the time to read and find substitutes as necessary!

Dd is almost 14 and will be heading to high school in the fall, time for more changes for us. Everyone at her grade school is very helpful (she was the first food allergic kid there----now there are several peanut-allergic younger kids) and made sure that accommodations were made for her (changes to special school-wide lunches, labels left on everything for her to read at class parties, etc). High school could be really really different. Adolescents/young adults are the most likely to take risks with their allergies because of not wanting to appear "different" so we've been having LOTS of discussions about what to do/not to do...

 

[hildarumpole]

We order a lot of safe treats from http://www.peanutfreeplanet.com. They carry KitKats, Mars Bars, Smarties (like M&Ms), and other candies from Canada that are peanut free. We also get granola bars from them. My kids appreciate being able to have safe versions of the treats their friends enjoy.