DD almost certainly allergic to peanuts but testing appointment not til December

[MrsWeasleyWannaBe]

A couple of weeks ago my DD was immediately sick and came out in hives straight after eating a tiny amount of peanut butter. We went straight to A&E, they gave her some piriton and kept an eye on her for a while, she's been fine since. (As well as this incident, about a month previously she had eaten a cake with peanut in and been quite sick but since there were no other symptoms I hadn't thought much of it.) Obviously we're avoiding nuts now until we can get a proper diagnosis.

But the referal letter came through today and that won't be until mid-December! She is at nursery full time. They cook their own food on site and do what they can to avoid nuts of any kind being in food, but say they can't 100% guarantee no nuts/peanuts, which I understand. And, being so new to this I am worried we could make a mistake at home and let her have something with nut traces in that she shouldn't have.

It may be that I am over thinking this and her allergy may not be 'severe' in any case, I don't know. But do you think it would be OTT to ask our GP to prescribe her an epipen or similar to keep with her, just in case, until we have better information?

Thank you in advance for any advice. I have been looking at everything I can find online and feel an epipen would be sensible, but she is only 2.6 and obviously we don't have an actual diagnosis yet!

DS has multiple allergies, the consultant wouldn't prescribe an epipen unless he was over a certain weight (15kg iirc) ,had allergies AND asthma or had had an anaphylactic reaction.

Your DD won't fall into any of those categories, so it's unlikely even when you are seen for testing that you would be prescribed an epipen.

They will just tell you to carry piriton at all times and avoid nuts. It's scary I know at first, but nuts are one of the easiest allergens to avoid as most people are aware of nut allergies and and the labelling is pretty good.

It's scary at first but like trixy says it becomes second nature after a while. A tip I've picked up here which has helped me is that the Anaphylaxis campaign are really excellent - they are knowledgeable and friendly and really good if you have any 'what if' questions or worries between now and December. I remember counting the months, weeks and days til we saw the allergist too so I feel your pain.

Thank you very much for the helpful and reassuring advice.

It's so worrying, isn't it.

DS1 has had two anaphylactic reactions, the GP was was able to get bloods done while we're waiting for the consultant (3 month wait with Very Urgent referral )

We have a bum bag that goes everywhere with inhalers, piriton, nasal spray and eye drops! Going to make up another one for school and one to keep in the car.

I ended up having to get an epipen after flying through Dubai where you are not allowed to take anti-histamine.

Dd has been tested for allergic reaction to peanut and like yours, got hives and threw up. These have been her most serious reactions. She has been tested in the uk and again in Australia where we live now. Neither time were we prescribed an epipen.

Now she has the epipen, she has an anaphylaxis plan at school and we give the epipen to parents when she goes to people's houses/parties.