To Introduce Peanuts or Not?

[Emus]

WWYD?

My OH has a peanut allergy (as does his brother), but I don't believe his allergy wouldn't be life threatening although he has an epipen.

My GP told me last week to start both my sons (3 and 11 months) on nuts and sesame ASAP. I'm understandable worried about this - what if they have a severe reaction?! My OH isn't happy about it either.

I have purchased a jar of Peanut butter and let my 3 year old sniff it (to see if there was reaction - starting slowly and all that!) and he said he didn't like it. OH said he can't stand the smell either and thinks it's his bodies way of warning him off because of his allergy.

I know there's been new research published that says the earlier allergenic foods are introduce the better and the GP was very blaze about it and thinks it's unlikely they will have a reaction but I am scared in case it all goes wrong!

Any GPs around or any advice from people who have been here?

[dementedpixie]

Could you try a bit on their skin first to see if that causes a reaction? Have they been eating other foods that may have traces of nuts in?

[dementedpixie]

Do your kids have any allergies?

[Emus]

I will try the skin test next but still scared in case they have a bad reaction!

No known allergies yet but the 3 year old has bad hay fever and the 11 month old had really bad eczema as a baby until about 7 months when it went. Big history of asthma/eczema/dairy allergies on both our sides (although I'm ok!!).

[Cuntikins]

Ugh, allergies. Terrifying. Would be good for you to know as early as possible if they are allergic though.

Why not talk to your GP again and ask this question exactly? Say that you're really nervous about this and ask what you should do.

There was one poster ages ago who drove to a hospital A&E car park and tried it there, so she'd get medical help right away. Not sure if that's the most sensible approach ... but if it made you less nervous about it, might be worth a try?

[Emus]

I did ask the GP those question and he does know how worried I am which is why he suggested I take it slowly - leaving the lid off a jar of peanut butter and let the vapour out, then skin test, then tiny tastes over the course of a few weeks. I'm surprised that allergy testing has not been offered and that I'm left to go it alone and hope for the best.

Nearest A&E is 30 minutes away and I feel a bit silly driving both kids to sit outside a hospital with a jar of peanut butter but it does make sense. I don't know how likely it is they would have a reaction. Not sure if I'm being silly because I feel like I am. Argh!

[Cuntikins]

Maybe a family day trip?

No, seriously, I hope some more informed people will come along and be helpful, but if that's the only way you could force yourself to do it then it's not the worst method. And you're not being silly at all IMO, allergic reactions are scary.

I suppose if you have an epipen already then you'd be as much prepared at home for reaction to a skin test as you'd be in a doctor's surgery? Does your OH know how to use them?

Problematically, tests aren't always conclusive anyway as there are so many different types and varieties out there.

[lordsteatime]

It is slightly less likely to be passed on via father than mother.

however if any of your children have any sort of atopic type disease, eczema , asthma etc then be cautious. If they do, push for testing and support.

look up the LEAP study.

I dont advise 'doing a Nigella' e.g feeding outside a hospital, as they may react later than you expect and if they do react you will have to spend time explaining what you were doing and whats gone wrong!

anyone who has been prescribed an epi pen has been considered by the medical profession as having the potential to die from anaphylaxis, and they should carry it with them at all times.

[Cuntikins]

Ah is that what it's called? good point and sorry for passing on the terrible idea then!

[Emus]

OHs epi pen is out of date! He carries it for business trips abroad but that's it. GP won't offer allergy testing, I've asked a few times and each time I get told to "just" try a bit on their skin. Like its no big deal!

We have private health-insurance, must look to see if allergy testing is included.

Thanks for all the comments so far, nice to know I'm not being silly with my fear.

[Loraline]

I know my private health insurance doesn't cover it as it's classed as preventative, rather than treatment. I have Anaphylaxis reactions to tree nuts and peanuts and feel the same way about my 3 year old, who has never had nuts. Apart from anything else we can't have nuts in the house and I can't give them to him as it's too dangerous for me. Now have an 8 week old ds too so not sure if we should give them to him earlier since advice has changed.

[Emus]

So difficult isn't it? My friend has a peanut allergy and her children were tested but mine weren't. I think if the mother has allergy then there's more chance of being offered testing for the kids maybe?

[lordsteatime]

I would still carry and use if out of date. Make him seriously think about getting new ones, 2 to carry at all times. It doesnt make sense to simply take it on business trips as risk is same as at home.

I usually ask adults if they go with family, wife/husband and kids out for meals at restaurants without the epi. If they say yes because they pick safe food I mention anaphylaxis is an accident.. Then I mention the horror of leaving family members waiting for an ambulance to arrive to save you and being unable to do anything but watch.

personally I consider it a selfish act to not look after yourself by carrying an epi esp when you have family and children. Its hard enough as a parent to save your child's life with an epi pen and see anaphylaxis. I certainly wouldnt want my family to see it end because they did have an epi nearby.

If you want a blood test for allergies, GPs can get that done if they dont have a local allergy clinic to refer you too. If one GP isnt listening, pick a recently trained one in the practice and ask them.

[Emus]

Are you a GP Lord?

[lordsteatime]

Nope. just been doing this allergy stuff for about 20 yrs. Done a fair bit of work and volunteer work with allergy, and asthma charities over the years.

[peripateticparents]

Loraline, PLEASE please look at the EAT study (enquiring about tolerance) which was recently published. My DS2 has multiple severe allergies (and a host of not severe but not nice). We carry 2 epipens at all times. My DC3 showed signs of allergies (not so badly, but very evident) when she was a baby, similar to my DS but not so bad. I followed the EAT study guidelines (i basically treated her as though she was on the trial). We had some rocky nights; she was obviously upset at times, but she is now allergy clear and I totally thank the study and the things i did in following it. I should point out that I couldn't have done it for DS2 (he was REALLY bad even at 2 weeks old), but I'd do it a million times over to reduce the allergy risk for my other kids.

Emus, everything i understand is to introduce stuff early (not a GP but go to the most up to date GP allergy trainings etc as my original GP was worse than useless).