peanuts when there is a mild allergy in the family

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So, my DTD has pretty horrible ezcema but I don't think it is particularly related to food. She was sensitive to egg and tomato when younger but that seems to have improved as she has got older (can now tolerate raw tomatoes with minimal flare up and cooked egg in eg fritatta). It has its flare ups (bad at the moment but improving with hyper viligance and multiple moisturising sessions a day) but generally under control.

However DH has a mild peanut allergy (gets a swollen throat and asthma worsens) and gets uncomfortable/tickly/ when eg ground nut oil is used in cooking.

Also when DTS was 3-4 months, I gave him a baby vitamin that unbeknowst to me contained peanut oil. He went MENTAL for about 12 hours (screaming/constant feeding/thrashing about) and the only thing I could pin it down to was the vitamins.

So, as a result I have not introduced peanuts to either of them (now 16 months).

I am normally very relaxed about health issues/food scaremongering and eg ate peanuts/runny eggs/rare steak when pregnant. but I am having a mental block over this and not sure whether I am being sensibly cautious or over the top. Anyone have any thoughts?

I would like to check whether this is an actual issue or not. it's probably not an anaphylaxis type issue given that I am not particularly careful about cross contamination.

Sorry, I probably shouldn't have said Dh has an allegy - it's probably more an intolerance, I suppose isn't it? The terminology is all new to me.

I would ask for a referral to an allergy pediatrician or to a dietician, someone who can do a skin prick test to see if your LO reacts to it. Honestly, I wouldn't give it without the testing 1st.

Given the 1st reaction was so bad, I wouldn't want to risk it.

I'm also surprised you haven't cut out egg from her diet. Why haven't you if its causing a reaction?

Egg - I did cut out for six months. Then she stole some quiche at a party and was fine. It was more accident than design TBH.

It's DTS with the peanut thing and DTD with the ezcema (and egg and tomato when first weaned).

They have both shown fairly sognificant reactions to food, I would tread very carefully. Your DH probably does have an allergy, swollen throat and breathing difficulties are serious. I would seek referral for testing.

Thanks, it's very hard to know what is paranoia and what is a legitimate concern. I am very much of the side of life to minimise problems and it felt like this was one I shouldn't. Hence my delay in introducing peanuts.

DTD does need some sort of further referral for her skin so I think it should be easy enoughto discuss both.

egg and peanut allergy often go hand in hand.

There is no such thing as a mild peanut allergy, its like saying you are only a little bit pregnant.

please go to the anaphylaxis campaign web site and perhaps call their help line for advice.

your husband needs to be prescribed an epi pen as the symptoms you mention are serious ones. Does he have asthma? as that increases his risk.
your children need proper assessment and testing from either the gp, hospital pead or even better a allergy clinic at hospital.

The thing with peanut allergies is that they can be triggered by a tiny, tiny amount and that the reaction can be different every time.
I would say that your dh has a peanut allergy and he needs to be careful.

Many people who are allergic to peanuts, aren't allergic to peanut oil.

There's an article about Kate Silver from. The BBC about her anaphylactic reaction to prawns at ascot. She had eaten prawns many times before and had an itchy throat etc. Someone else saw she was having a reaction and jabbed her with an epipen she was carrying for her own anaphylaxis.

I would suggest ur DH seeks medical advice about his allergy. Also best to get the kids checked out too, if ur wee one is referred to dermatology for eczema they can do spt, but best to get both of them checked just to be safe.

I had a 'mild allergy' (ie a mild allergic response) to (tree) nuts as a child and full-on anaphylaxis at 18.

Agree that your DH talks to his doctor about getting an epipen. It can't hurt to carry it and it could save his life.

I delayed nuts (tree and peanuts) for both DC and although DD was referred to the consultant after an itchy-mouth episode when she did try hazelnuts, she's not allergic. So just echoing everyone else - talk to your GP about a referral - and yes perhaps you can chat about this as DTD's skin appointment.

TheOldest, may I ask what the symptoms are for your mild allergy?

Hallo, sorry for delay.

When I was a child, my mild response to nuts was an itchy throat and vomiting. That was the case from age 2 until I was 18, when I had my first anaphylactic shock and nearly died.

Since then, I've had two further episodes of anaphylaxis as I react to the slightest trace of nuts. Not much fun, but I was fine because I had my epipen and called an ambulance (the epipen dose wears off so you need back up).

I don't want to alarm you, but your DH should carry an epipen as allergies can get worse (and, of course, you can grow out of them too!).

TheOldest, thanks!

I'm asking because my DD is allergic to milk, wheat, and mildly allergic to soya and egg. However, she came up completely clear on the skin prick test for all of the above, including nuts.

Dietician is of the opinion that as the skin prick tests are clear, I should give nuts. I have given her a bit of hazelnut, and no reaction. I need to give her peanut butter but I'm so scared. Should I?