Almost 4 year old not fully exposed to nuts

[Beemama333]

This is something I feel really anxious and guilty about. I’m posting on here because it’s affecting me daily now I feel so awful about it.
The backstory is my son had quite severe eczema as a baby covering his torso. So before giving him any nuts I tried to ask for advice through the health visiting team because I found the information at the time (covid times as well) quite limited and confusing with how I should proceed. They just regurgitated what I had already read word for word “if he or someone in the family has severe eczema or allergy leave until 3”. I just felt even more lost and as it was covid times I didn’t see anyone face to face. I live with my partner but we live quite rurally so not near hospital and I don’t drive. This fuels the anxiety around this I have. So basically I put it to the side for a while he was just at home with me and was getting to grips with trying lots of other foods and textures.

when he was around one I remember I read somewhere a mum had put some Peanut butter on her child’s arm advised by a dietician so I did this, he didn’t react and I remember putting it on his lip a day or so later to no reaction. I wanted to be near a hospital for the next step and too much time passed. What ended up happening was I abondoned peanut testing and opted for hazelnut, I tried him with a small amount when in the town by the hospital a couple times increasing it each time and then home on his porridge, I did the same with pecans and pesto (pine nuts though I know these are a seed). There is sesame allergy in the family so I did the same steps with this and he eats hummus all the time he’s fine.

essentially he’s has no allergies up to now but I am struggling to bring in peanuts in my head I feel like I am putting him at a huge risk which increases by the day, week month as he ages! Time has gone by and I have just checked packets at home so he hasn’t accidentally had peanuts or some of the non tested ones (almonds, pistachios). He goes to pre-school 3 days a week and each time I do worry he will accidentally be exposed and I think at least doing a test in the town by the hospital he would get help and I would know. The pre-school is rural too.

so I guess I am just looking for some support from fellow mums. I know the facts about early exposure (more so as time has gone on) I’m expecting my next child and won’t be letting this happen again. I just fear now for my son and wonder how best to approach it safely.

If it helps, cows milk presents a greater risk for fatal anaphylaxis in children...

And I suspect you've given dairy products without a thought.

Source: https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n251

Thank you, it does help ease my worries a bit.

I should mention he was hospitalised age 2 for respiratory infection and this didn’t help at all with my anxiety around nuts. It feels really silly to have this fear as nobody in the family has this and it’s based upon the risk of something could happen now he’s older. Once he got over 12 months old this really became an issue and I was trying to find the right information and guidance of what to do before he turned one but failed. Now in my mind it’s a given he will be allergic though I know logically there is a chance he isn’t at all.

The thing is that he could become allergic to anything at any time. The focus (not just yours but generally) on peanuts isn't logical as there are so many other things that can result in anaphylaxis (as an example I developed an anaphylactic allergy to wheat in adulthood).

Could doing a paediatric first aid course be helpful?

A friend of mine was very anxious about nuts, partly due to little one having some allergies. Her health visitor said if it makes you feel better then sit in the hospital car park and give it to them!

Doing a first aid course for kids probably would help me. I know you are right in that they can be allergic to anything I guess it’s the newer research about peanuts being in the media again that makes me worry as it’s all fair and well if you are in that bracket who has a 6 month old seems clearer than when mine was.

I think going to the Hospital area is where I would feel safest exposing him to nuts. If he reacts (my biggest fear) then we have a chance of survival being there. Would twice be enough? Should I go and do it with tiny amounts twice then a slightly larger amount third time at the hospital again just in case?

Our eldest is allergic to peanuts and our youngest hasn't been exposed much. This is the information the specialist gave us. She recommended starting with bamba peanut puffs, increasing the number then moving to a little bit of peanut butter mixed with banana, then peanut butter.

Don't rub it on the skin, especially in a child with eczema - they need to be exposed through the gut.

https://www.bsaci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/pdf_Infant-feeding-and-allergy-prevention-PARENT-SUMMARY-FINAL.pdf

Thank you, I will buy some of those and test with him. How old was your youngest on first exposure? Did you test your youngest for all nuts through trying small amounts? I struggle with how relaxed other parents can be around it…..I wish I was. I want to know he isn’t allergic to any before starting school so know i have to test it’s plucking up the courage and having a plan. The above is helpful thank you.

She would've been two or maybe just three when we started. We've been very lax really and never got past a few Bamba. That's not best practice though! For other nuts we just give pesto, Nutella etc as and when. Aside from avoiding peanuts for eldest (obviously!) it's not something we give much thought to.

Doesn't sound like there's any particular reason for you to be this worried, so I'd just get it done and you'll feel better (and if the anxiety displaces to something else, maybe think about a chat with the GP).

We just kept antihistamines in the cupboard when we started trying out different foods. We just gave her the nuts tbh.

Honestly OP most of us have an anxiety about something or other when it comes to our kids. I think the advice given to PP is probably a good idea. Hospital car pack with a few peanuts, this way you can be sure if anything happens you are in the right place. But most likely he will be absolutely fine.