Just had nut allergy diagnosis - a few questions

[AngelDog]

I'm just starting to process things really so please bear with me.

2.2 y.o. DS had a reaction to hazelnuts a while ago (hives on his face). The doctor was optimistic it was just a skin reaction rather than an allergy (DS has eczema and generally sensitive skin). We had the result of blood tests today and have discovered he is allergic to hazelnuts, brazil nuts, coconut, peanuts and (slightly) almonds. :(

The GP has given us a JEXT and a referral to the allergy clinic for further advice. I think our dermatologist will do some skin testing too.

We're avoiding giving DS nuts, things that say 'not suitable for nut allergy sufferers' and 'may contain nuts' (although I know that category is confusing in exactly what it means). He bf's, so I'm avoiding nuts too.

One thing I'm not sure about is whether I should avoid things like sunflower seeds which say 'may contain nuts'. I usually eat quite a lot of those as I'm on a high-protein eating plan, but I'm not sure whether there's a danger I could pass on traces on my hands, even if not in my milk.

DH tends to eat chocolate like fruit & nut. Would it be advisable for him not to have it in the house?

Is there anything else I should be thinking about now?

I've been watching the videos on the JEXT website and I feel a bit shaken by the whole thing, but I guess that's normal at this stage.

Thankfully DS doesn't go to nursery and isn't prepared to be left with anyone other than DH, me or one of his grandmas (neither of whom lives close enough to babysit often) so that makes things a bit more straightforward than if we had to liaise with other carers.

OP, I'm not an expert, but I didn't want to leave your post unanswered.

DS is allergic to peanuts, also presenting as hives on his face and sneezing and coughing - have you any idea yet as to the extent of the allergies your DS is suffering from?

If he risks anaphylaxis (closing airwyas) then I would absolutely steer clear of anything that contains nuts and not keep it at all in the house. However, if his reaction to all the nuts you listed is the same as that with hazlenuts, then there's really no need to be quite so strict. We still have peanut butter in the house. DS is also allergic to raw/lightly cooked egg whites, but DH and I still have boiled egg for breakfast. Provided DS doesn't come in contact with anything directly, then he's fine.

Thanks for the replies. We have no idea of the extent of DS's allergies - hazelnuts are the only things he's had a noticeable reaction to (although he has eaten some of the nuts to which he's now allergic).

I'll have a look at the Anaphylaxis Campaign - that sounds useful.

The GP only gave us one JEXT as apparently the guidelines say that if you've only had a skin reaction, a JEXT may be given, not should be given, and he said that in most cases, the second one gets used by the emergency services anyway. I think the allergy clinic will make a decision about whether he needs one / more longer term.

Thanks for the warning about chocolate - we don't give it to him at the moment, but I'm sure that day will come eventually.