is there any benefit in waiting until 3 to try nuts, or should we just go for it now-DS is 2?

[littletownofmeglethem]

DS has just turned 2. He gets a bit of excema sometimes, but been given the all clear for all other allergies - not been tested on peanuts though. There are no allergies on either side of our family so I'm hoping he's going to be ok.

current advice is to wait until 3 to try him on nuts, but I'm not sure if waiting is going to make any difference. He eats everything we eat ( as long as it hasn't got nuts in it) and is fine at parties and restaurants. With xmas coming up I'm dreading having to keep him away from all the xmas food with nuts in and am tempted to try him on nuts now and hopefully get it out of the way.

Is this a really bad idea? Anyone tried it at this age?

DS inadvertedly got a mouthful of DH's peanut butter sandwich - he's fast like that . I would have waited, but this was the quickest and most painless way to find out there was no problem.

He had eczema until he was about 10 months, then it cleared up with tubes and tubes of Aveeno baby lotion...

There's no evidence of any benefit in waiting as far as I know - just means you find out later rather than sooner, but doesn't prevent them developing the allergy. Chances are he'll be fine.

exactly, i think he's probably ok and can't see what difference the gap from 2-3 will make. I think I'll see my gp to see if he has any thoughts on it.

Please be careful. I don't know enough from your post to give any really good advice but as a parent with a child you has anaphylaxis I am keen to offer caution.

Likewise, ds1 had and still has no excema, asthma, allergy related symptoms, no family history but is anaphylactic to nuts and sesame - we found out when he had his first biscuit with nuts at just under 3 years. By all means give him nuts but bear in mind no family history does not mean no allergy.

bluebumedfly i know it's quite a scary thing to think about doing. I did think that if I was to try him on nuts I'd do to the A&E car park and do it there. Better to be in reach of the docs just in case.

the hospital wouldn't offer allergy testing for nuts when he had the other allergy tests done, so we just have to take the risk ourselves

Littletown, that is really hard. Is there any way you can start really slowly, perhaps touch the nut onto his skin and give it 24 hours to see if there is an atopic reaction? I am not advocating the try it at home approach but I do completely understand your problem.

My DD3 is 20 months and I want to know if she is allergic as DD2 (half sibling) is allergic. I have been told they will test her but not until 2 years, I have not heard of waiting till 3.

OH my goodness, how hard eh? Like you I just want to know. I really wish there was a place that we can get tested, much like any other allergy. Is there any chance your GP will refer you to Dr du Toit at the Portland in London? He will test at 2.

I think the guidelines for 3 years are to do with choking hazard, rather than allergy issues...
DD is 2.10 and has had chestnuts and pistachios and loved both. She had pb from 12 months, as that was the aadvice we were given.
She has a touch of eczema but ot too much, and she didn't have any reaction to any of the nuts.

Play safe when you next go to the GP or hospital give your child a peanut butter sandwich there and then.

There is increasing evidence that not exposing your child to potential allergens can create allergies.

i think if no history of allergies fine to have nuts from 1 year old?

my DD ate pistachio marzipan at Christmas when she had just turned one, i didn't realise until after she'd eaten it, probably very relaxing way to find out no nut problem!

Ooo, we are back on. Good, I do love to hear about everyone else's experiences, it always gives you hope and encouragement.

Christmasiana - what a great and relaxed way to find out. TO be honest I swear DD£ ate a walnut once out of some carrot cake but I am too scared to try again. I will wait and have her tested once she is 2. I think the docs are secretly interested in testing her to see any link between half-siblings but cannot tell me that in case I think they are using DD as a test case. Me? As long as it is safe I am happy for them to test her - what ever their notivations are! At least then we will know and can take the appropriate actions.