Just had skin prick test on 10 MO and allergic to peanuts - feel sad - any positive stories?

[SleepIsForTheWeak]

He also has an allergy to sesame seeds but nithing else, so it might be possible he grows out of it, but still just feeling gutted about it, and having to carry epi pens etc.

sorry, he is 20 MO

bump?

Hi there.

We are in a similar position to you.
Ds1 (2 yrs) was diagnosed w. dairy and peanut allergy at 10mo. after a reaction to some ice cream. He has never had a nut, so that diagnosis was a real shock.

He is now outgrowing the dairy allergy, will repeat tests for peanuts and test for allergy to other nuts in a few months. Am hoping he'll grow out of it but don't really believe that, iykwim?

All I can say is that I don't find it nearly as difficult to deal w. now (both emotionally and practically) as I did just after he was diagnosed. But initially I did find it very upsetting and frightening - used to lie awake in tears at night feeling life will never be normal again. Have found this site a great source of support.

not sure this is the sort of positive you're looking for but my child with a nut allergy is now a teenager. We're had only a few serious reactions to deal with, more minor ones from traces of contamination. We can go years without any reaction.

My child has a fairly normal life (we eat out, go abroad ) so even a serious nut allergy is not the end of the world.

It's quite normal to feel petrified and miserable when you get the diagnosis but it will get easier.

Lots of sympathy to you. My son (18mo)was diagnosed quite a while ago with various allergies including nuts & sesame. It does feel like the end of the world but you do get used to dealing with it. We haven't had any severe reactions as yet but it does feel a little like playing russian roulette.

The immunologist has told us there is a 20% chance he will outgrow the nut allergy so there's some hope but I'm not holding my breath.

We've not had a reaction to nuts yet (that I know of) but have had a couple of sesame episodes. We haven't yet got an epi pen because DS is too small apparently so I try to always carry Piriton.

Give it some time and it will just gradually become a part of your life that you get used to dealing with. I'm sure we all spend our lives worrying about our kids and this is just one more thing to add to the list .

Sleepisfortheweak, dont be down hearted. My dd was diagnosed with peanut allergy at around 2yrs also. It is a shock but as everyone says it does get easier. You just feel so bombarded with so much info, once it all sinks in and you get into your own routine you'll feel alot better. I remember it well. My dd has so many other food allergies now that i end up wishing and wishing it was just the nuts (obviously they are not so serious) but its now so so much harder to feed her! We are very stict on what she can and cant eat but she has never had a serious reaction needing epipens since her first attack. She is now 6yrs. Not so bad eh.

When my ds (then aged 18 months) was found to have nut allergy, it seemed the end of the world to me too. I cried for 3 days non stop. But it DOES get better and you learn to live with it. We go out all the time to restaurants but usually take a 'picnic' with us for him to eat. His 'picnics' contains lots of fun things he can eat plus his picnic bag is a thomas cool bag which he thinks is wonderful. When he does eat from the menu, I actually request to see packets (for the ice cream for e.g.) from the kitchen to check ingredients myself. All restaurant staff have been obliging so far. The hardest thing for my ds is that he can't usually have what other children are having (he is egg allergic too). I use a 'swap box' where we have a tin full of little toys/sweets/treats that he can have. Whenever, there is something he can't have, he 'swaps' it for something in his box. I have purchased trainer epi pens and twice a year give anyone who might care for my ds (uncles/grand parents/friends) a mini training session where they practice using the trainer pen/ are reminded what to do in an anaphylactic shock etc. If we go abroad, I have medical cards/restaurant cards made up stating his allergies in the country's language. We also have stickers that state he is nut and egg allergic which he can wear at birthday parties to alert other adults. You might want to check your toiletries too as I found (much to my horror) that some xmas toiletries I had been given had almonds in them as an ingredient. I found this site a source of great comfort when my son had his anaphylactic shock. I hope you can gain some support from here too.

Thanks for the messages and suggestions, it really does help to hear.
My big worry is that as he has never eaten a peanut we have no idea what scale the reaction would be!
They told me that reactions tend to repeat themselves, so at least I am fairly certain he wont have anaphylaxis when touched by a nut product, but would get hives as has happened which is not so scary.
The specialist asked me if he was allergic to egg too. He HATES egg, always spits it out, but has never had a reaction to cooked egg so it is unlikey.

We were planning a big trip to Japan and Thailand next month, but it is a bit soon fo rme since finding this out so I might insist on just going to Japan. Will get those cards ordered.

I am feeling a bit better already because it is no longer an unknown, but the thought of carrying epipens everywhere depresses me, I battle to remember my wallet!

have to admit I wouldn't be happy about Thailand either. It is possible he will outgrow it so you could maybe go later.

As holidays will be new for you don't forget that you need to check your insurance cover. Some companies want ridiculous extra premiums. Also some airlines will not serve peanuts on your flight if you tell them in advance. I think Japan airlines were one of the good ones as is BA. You should have a letter with you to carry the epipen on a plane.

thanks for the tips!!