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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Maybe I am being overly sensitive but when someone asks me about the severity of dc’s allergies, it bothers me.

Two reasons, one because allergies don’t work that way / [b]one time dc could have hives the next time anaphylaxis[/b]; two because it just seems flippant like they are trying to minimize things. I just respond with oh it’s hard to tell but it’s best to stay vigilant. One of my dc had anaphylaxis to a food she had eaten many times and this was her first reaction to that food ever. Thank god we already had epi pens for other known allergies but it was very scary so maybe that’s where my sensitivity comes from.

Are others bothered by questions like these or am I just being sensitive?[/quote]

It is frustrating because of the bolded. Allergic reactions arent the same thing every time, dont require the same dose to cascade into a reaction, and wont always have the same symptoms AND you can become allergic to a food at any time, at any age.
  
Allergic reactions are not food sensitivities. My daughter will go into anaphylaxis from eating eggs. She doesnt sleep well if she eats banana. I dont tell people about banana, we just dont feed it to her or allow her to have it.

The other mistake- including ER docs I have interacted with- is linking anaphalyxis only to trouble breathing or visible swelling. Anaphylaxis is 2 different body systems displaying a change in status- neurological, GI, skin, respiratory, and/or a severe symptom for 1 body system from a known/likely ingestion.

Your answer should just be it is severe and life-threatening. If she doesnt react to cross contamination or airborne then you can just say that historically cross contamination is not an issue but that handwashing and wiping of surfaces is requested regardless. Circulating histamine levels play a role in the dose required for a reaction. Exercise, overheating, and even hormone levels all raise histamine levels and so only 1/10th teaspoon may be required to have a reaction whereas on a cool day with no increased heart rate only requires 1/20th of a teaspoon.

Adding that if you have been told she must be EPId if she knowingly (or even likely) ingests the food even if she isnt currently displaying symptoms that is severe and warrants additional caution. Someone who has not had a 2 system anaphylaxtic reaction, has not had a biphasic reaction, or reacted to a food from first ingestion (my daughter did all 3 with egg) may not EPI unless they experience symptoms. For my daughter, if she takes egg and eats it off of another kids plate she needs to be EPId and then 911 called regardless of whether she is displaying symptoms.

People want clarity. The problem is also that people dont want to have to be cognizant of basic food practices like washing hands and your kid will likely be excluded from some social events due to it. So if you are covering the bases with severity it can scare people away. 
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