Food Anxiety (Mom) after Peanut Allergy

[Anonymous]

My seven month old was diagnosed with a peanut allergy after having a mild reaction. The allergist visit was less than pleasant, and I'm now noticing myself having anxious feelings around trying new solids. We've stuck to mostly "safe" foods, but I know I need to start introducing other possible allergens sooner rather than later.
We tried a muffin as part of the baked egg challenge, but he was less than thrilled by the texture. Even with the small amount he consumed, I questioned every red mark/eye rub.

I'm not sure I'm assessing each new food correctly, so what are possible next steps? Has anyone tested additional allergens before a child consumed them? Should I find an allergist that will do food challenges? How well does a food challenge work with babies who are still just getting used to solids? Looking for some supportive answers, so please be kind (Ha!). Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend Darlene Mansoor for an allergist. She will give it to you straight and will encourage you to NOT live in fear and allow all foods.

[Anonymous]

PP again. My son is now 5.
My son ate peanut butter around 6 months and his lips swelled, hives, itching. We quickly washed his faces and hands and gave Benadryl and he was FINE. Naturally I panicked and foresaw a life at an isolated lunch table.
We saw Dr Mansoor and she was great. She told us this should not interfere with our lives. And it hasn’t.
We are careful in that we don’t allow peanut butter in the house. We also ask that he doesn’t touch peanut butter and we ask that others wash their hands after eating it.
He eats all other nuts and all other food. We do not scruntize labels. We carry Benadryl with us and an episode .

[Anonymous]

*epipen

[Anonymous]

After my child was diagnosed with multiple food allergies at 6ish months, another allergy parent warned me not to let my Child pick up on my food anxiety. It was really good advice.

Be prepared, not scared. Get an epipen and know how to use it. Buy like 5 small bottles of Benadryl and have them in the kitchen, diaper bag, at daycare, wherever.

I tried joining online food allergy groups and found that they felt too fear-based and ramped up my own anxiety, so I left. Find a community and an allergist that will support you, and realize you can’t possibly test for every allergen, so it’s just going to be a learning process. That said, I did watch my kid like a hawk for hives whenever he ate- just, you know, in a low key way

[Anonymous]

My son has a walnut allergy, and I was scared at first too. I went and found another allergist after having a less-than-ideal experience with the first one. I didn't know what to do!

I don't think allergists do food challenges unless the foods are a known allergy. They won't just sit there while your kid tries a bunch of different foods.

[Anonymous]

Why are you guys mentioning Benadryl? For s real peanut allergy, you should never give Benadryl before an EpiPen.

- Peanut allergy mom here (that is, I have the allergy myself)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you guys mentioning Benadryl? For s real peanut allergy, you should never give Benadryl before an EpiPen.

- Peanut allergy mom here (that is, I have the allergy myself)

Both DD and I have peanut allergies. Neither of us have ever had an anaphylactic reaction, so we were instructed to start with Benadryl, not the EpiPen.

[Anonymous]

OP, I just went through this. And we did end up finding more allergies - cashew butter hit with immediate hives. I was so stressed out walking through each allergen. But since we discovered peanuts first, we got an epipen really early on. So, I reminded myself that we were "armed" and ready and could call 911 if we needed advice.

The other thing that really calms me down - I remind myself that I want DD to try this stuff now and with both her parents present with the epipen. Because if you delay it's possible your child will be exposed to new allergens when you are not there (school, friend's house) and responding will be out of your control. You are gaining knowledge in a safe context.

Best of luck. It's hard, I know!

Also the way it worked for us was that she had major hives from peanut butter, so we confirmed that allergy with a skin test in the allergist's office. Then we were instructed to keep going through the likely allergen list. When we got the hit on cashews, allergist brought us in to do a full nut panel for the skin test. The only challenge they did in office for us was for penicillin. DD's peanut reaction happened when she was on penicillin for ear infection so we had to rule it out. Since that can be a dangerous one, we did the challenge in the office. For some reason that is ingestion and not skin. Don't know why. But I asked after a full panel and we were told no.