Peanut Allergy

[princessmom29]

If she ate peanuts before with no rxn it may be worth it to have an allergist investigate further. My DH is allergic to shellfish, but reacts much more violently to skin contact with raw shellfish than to injestion. He just vomits when he eats them no other symptoms, but will swell up with huge hives if he touches a raw one.

 

[patientlywaiting]

Hi, My 7yr old ds has a peanut allergy. Both times we went to Disney they were wonderful. They will ask when you call to make dining reservations if any family member has a food allergy. So it will already be on their sheet when you get to the TS restaurant. The chefs will come out and talk to you. They are wonderful.

Also if you are flying let your airline now about the peanut allergy. We always fly Jetblue and they take out all peanut/treenut snacks that they serve. They also make an announcement to the passengers that someone on the flight has a nut allergy. Remember to pack your epi pens on your carry on.

 

[hopefor4]

Sorry if this post is repetative, I haven't read the previous posts, I am running out the door. My DD is 27 months, and was diagnosed with peanut allergy, lactose intolerance, asthma, eczema just this past summer. We were in Disney for Christmas, and didn't have any problems! We notified on our reservation, and ADR's and the chef's came to the table, made her special food, and it was great! I was worried about cross contamination so all fruit etc came from the kitchen not the buffets. The Luau called me at home before we left, and the Hoop Dee Doo revue called me in the room to go over menu options. Disney has the highest industry standards for allergy. I also made sure the epi pen was handy, and saw today at the peds office a card for the epi puppy, I am going to google it, it looked cute!

You do have to look at the package foods, and of course she couldn't eat from the bakeries etc (which meant I couldn't because she would want a piece *sigh*)

If you have any questions I am a PM away, I too am learning all of this, but fortunately Canada has so many products that make having a peanut free home easy!

Funny since I have 3 boys before her with no allergies! The always told me girls were high maintance! LOL!

Michelle

 

[MSSANDRA]

prayers for you.

DGS,for whom we are promary caregivers, was diagnosed in Oct. , right at his 2nd b-day.

He is also allegic to eggs. My #1 advice is to talk to the doctor. He saw the allergy test and knows how your child reacted and what precautions you need to take.

We have a pediatic allergy doctor and DGS reacted to the test but has never reacted to peanuts though we had never given him anything with peanuts.
We were told that "produced in the same factory as peanuts" was ok but not "may contain traces of peanuts."
We also got the ok for peanut oil as he told us that the boiling breaks down the allegic nature and he has never had a child react to the oil.

We of course read every label.
Few other things:

Be careful how you educate your child. We were having DGS tell everyone that gave him food he was allergic to peanuts and it became a game and he started telling people he LOVED peanuts . Now we have him say when someone offers him food, peanuts make me really sick.

Be sure that EVERYONE that will ever have your child alone understands how serious this can be and NEVER let him be without benadryl and Epi Pen.

Check you dates on the pens. They tried to sell me one that would expire in a month. Be careful of storage as heat or cold can damage them.

Always carry the safe special snack so he will not be tempted or feel left out. We love the kissables.

Also be on guard. A lady at Harris Tetters almost handed him a peanut butter cookie the other day as we walked past the Deli. Did not ask me first .I educated her. .

We are very much still learning and this thread is a great support to me too.

Thanks.

 

[GIGI&MIMI]

Disney is the absolute best for food allergies. Every counter service has a binder that included the ingredients of everything they served and at every table service the chef came to our table and went over the suitable entrees. They make it really easy. Our daughters favorites at Mickey Bars and Pineapple Floats at Aloha Isle. Watch out for the rice crispy treats and potato chips at counter service both are cross contaminated. The food court and POP actally had a shelf of allergy free snacks. We tried the caramel corn and jellybeans, they were both great. For our chocoholic, Hersey's kisses and regular size milk chocolate bars (all the other sizes are cross contaminated with almonds) are her choice.

 

[10dollarbill]

I'm 34 and I have had a peanut allergy ever since I can remember. I personally don't have a good relationship with M&M's, even the plain ones make me sick. I do read labels and even eat a lot of foods where the label says made in a factory that contains nuts. I know that the severity of peanut allergies varies from person to person, but it sounds like your daughter's is more sever than mine. So, my advice would be: If in doubt, skip the food in question. Yeah, it sucks (trust me it sucks) but life is worth more than tasty candy.

As for traveling to WDW, it shouldn't be a problem. I have been there 3 times since 1999 and haven't had any problems. It has been my experience that Disney is very helpful to people with food allergies. If you have a question about the food there, or anywhere, ask to speak to a chef. If I recall correctly from my last visit, there were signs posted in the All-Star Sports Dining area that specifically stated if you had food allergies ask to talk to a chef.

I also have a daughter. She just turned one and we are taking her with us to WDW in March. We still don't know if she is allergic to peanuts. It is the one thing I really hope I didn't pass on the her. Well, that and my receding hairline. Hang in there. I know it seems overwhelming but, you will get through it. I wish I had some links to more information, but I have never looked for more information myself. I know what peanuts do to me, so I avoid them.

Good Luck!
10dollarbill

p.s. I would like to echo everything in MSSANDRA's post. A really good post.

 

[michael's mom]

Good Luck!
10dollarbill

p.s. I would like to echo everything in MSSANDRA's post. A really good post.

I agree...Great Post MSSANDRA

 

[Leajess99]

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".

Very awesome recommendation. I know in my dd's 3rd grade class they put up a sign on the door which stated Peanut Free classroom. Depending on the severity of the peanut allergic (some cannot even tolerate the smell without a reactions such as the child in her class) is dependent upon where the kids eat lunch. My dd has had another child with a peanut allergy in her last grade and current class and the child's mother has offered to make cupcakes for every child's birthday in the class. It is her way to protect her child. I know when it comes time to send in treats for birthdays and that I usually just get Ringpops or something like Wonka Candies.

 

[2littleprincesses28]

 

[2littleprincesses28]

Everyone has been so great really halping me not feel so overwhelmed! I do have a questions....it's lwa to state that it contains peanuts but not that it was made in the same factory as other peanut products right? If it is not required to say that how do I know if it's safe? I bought her some ice cream toda and the box didn't say anything about any kind of nut...but I called the # on the box and it turns out it was made in the same place as other peanut products!!! What do you do???

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

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,

First, don't be scared. Especially not around your daughter. My DD 10 has a peanut allergy and she knows that it's not something to be scared of, that it's something that she has control of, and it's just a part of life that's less than fabulous sometimes.

Knowledge is power; looking on the internet about peanut allergies until your eyes bleed is not. It will make you crazy.

Look on these boards for lots of existing threads about peanut allergies in Disney, they'll help.

 

[2littleprincesses28]

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.

It is Ashlyn...must be the name?!?!?

 

[michael's mom]

Everyone has been so great really halping me not feel so overwhelmed! I do have a questions....it's lwa to state that it contains peanuts but not that it was made in the same factory as other peanut products right? If it is not required to say that how do I know if it's safe? I bought her some ice cream toda and the box didn't say anything about any kind of nut...but I called the # on the box and it turns out it was made in the same place as other peanut products!!! What do you do???

Some companies decide to put labels on anything and everything if even one product has peanuts/nuts in it for legal reasons...just to protect themselves. I am told that it has something to do with employees in the "hersheys bar with almonds plant covering for someone in the regular hersheys bar plant" (just an example). The companies are legally responsible to put a warning label on the product if there could be contamination. Now, I am a worry wart about what my son eats but we will all drive ourselves crazy if we second guess the labels. As long as the label does not have any warnings at all about peanuts/tree nuts I let him eat it. I just always have 2 epi-pens on me.

Oh, I don't think I mentioned this previously, but my MIL has a peanut allergy (that's where he got it I'm sure) and I won't even let him eat things that she eats because she does eat things as long as they don't contain nuts. For instance, she makes some of the best choc. chip cookies but uses Nestle morsels...she knows I won't let DS have them. I feel silly sometimes telling her what he can/can't eat because she's been dealing with her allergy for over 30 years (she always knew growing up that she didn't like PB but never knew why...diagnosed at 30). But, as silly as I feel, it is what I feel is right for him right now. When he gets older and I believe that he can tell me immediately if he doesn't feel well (itchy tongue, belly ache, etc) then I will be apt to let him try the "processed in a facility" warnings. But right now, he is still way to young to do that.

One thing that I do is bring my own booster seat into restaurants that I know serve PB (I have a fisher price on in my car all of the time) and if I don't bring the seat, I bring wipes and the shopping cart cloth cover to put over the restaurant high-chairs. I also never put him in a shopping cart without that cover. He knows why too! He knows that there might be peanuts on it that could make him sick.

Now, when we go to WDW in April I will bring wipes on the plane to wash the seat down before I let him sit. We are traveling Southwest which has leather seats to wash down. If it was an airline with cloth seats, I would put a blanket over the seat for him to sit on and wash the trays/arm rests.

We took him to a few baseball games this summer (I panicked when I remembered the shelled roasted peanuts). I brought a big sheet (the Neat Sheets they sell for picnics/beach) wiped down his seat and draped the sheet over his seat and the ones on either side of him (mine and my mothers). He was perfectly fine and comfortable. Now, I on the other hand freaked out because the man behind me was shelling peanuts and throwing the shells all over the place.

Remember, there is a world of people who are as frightened as you about this. I always look on the bright side...peanuts are much easier to avoid than soy, dairy, or wheat. So, he can't have a milky way...he can eat a whole lot of other stuff and we still feel pretty safe eating out as long as we take precautions.


Good luck! As other PP's stated, if you want to PM to discuss any further feel free!

 

[shelly3girls]

When flying you should notify them of the allergy in advance. Southwest made sure a special area of the plane was completely wiped down. We were the first to board the plane and were seating in the special area. No peanuts were served on the plane (although I am not sure if they do that anymore anyway).

 

[dancin'girl]

My DD also has a peanut allergy.
Here is some good info:
A listing of restaurants -
http://www.peanutallergykid.com/2008/07/safe-places-to-eat-with-peanut-allergy.html

Info on the labeling laws -
http://www.foodreference.com/html/art-new-labels.html

Allie the Allergic Elephant- My DD loved this book. We got it from the library.
http://nopeanutsplease-com.blogspot.com/2008/02/book-review-allie-allergic-elephant.html

 

[michael's mom]

When flying you should notify them of the allergy in advance. Southwest made sure a special area of the plane was completely wiped down. We were the first to board the plane and were seating in the special area. No peanuts were served on the plane (although I am not sure if they do that anymore anyway).

I had it noted on his plane ticket...but I didn't know that they'd let me board early. I hope that is still the policy. When I read their statements regarding the issue it said that they would make every effort not to serve peanuts on the plane...basically, they wouldn't...but that they couldn't guarentee that other passengers wouldn't have peanut products. I know that they still do serve peanuts on planes...not all airlines, but I imagine Southwest does because of the above mentioned statement. I am psyched that you were able to board early...I am definitely going to ask for that!

 

[MSSANDRA]

We also use those kiddie plastic placemats at resturants as our little one is always laying food off his plate.

Another caution is to ask at the door of any steakhouse/ rib place if they do the open peanut on the table thing. That can be really scary. Before DGS was diagnosed we ate at our local steak place that does this all the time and while he never had a peanut, He could have easily been exposed.