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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a 2 year old does not need a medical bracelet.

149 replies

MsJamieFraser · 30/12/2015 20:21

AIBU to think a barley turned toddler does not need a allergy bracelet...

I don't know if I am BU or not, ds2 has several grade 5-7 grade allergies (scale only goes to 5) and he is 6.5 years old...

The reason I am looking into medical bracelets now is that he is now attending beavers, even tho all the leaders are fully knowledgable about his medical conditions, but with his allergies being mostly natural allergies... I thought it best that we go down that route that we should be going down, as when and if he will attend over night stays some other beaver groups leaders won't know about his allergies in the possible case ds takes an attack/anaphylaxisnets...

I've just had a mum on our allergy groups saying that she needs to looking into bracelets for her just turned 2 year old... Because she thinks her child needs it incase others might give her, her allergen...

AIBU to think a 2 year old does not need a allergy bracelet?

OP posts:
Kanga59 · 30/12/2015 20:48

YANBU. a two year old does not need one.

MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 30/12/2015 20:48

would be easier for a small DC to be used to wearing a bracelet if that's all they'd known I'd've thought (remembering struggles with teen DD).

Although IME the pretty beaded bracelets Medic Alert do aren't robust enough to stand up to much taking off and putting back on. Eventually I accepted that a metal one would be a worthwhile investment, and DDs now has been off her wrist exactly twice since she got it over two years ago (once for an MRI and once for a ballet exam). If it can be left on in the bath/swimming etc it can be forgotten about, no need to have to check they've remembered it.

Highly recommend Medic Alert, they might be more expensive, but it's really good quality (apart from the beaded bracelets Wink) and their database is accessible worldwide.

ArkATerre · 30/12/2015 20:50

The reasoning you give for her not having one is the same as the reasoning for your DS having one.
Confused

Hellenbach · 30/12/2015 20:50

My DS doesn't have allergies but is on a restricted diet (due to a rare syndrome) it has surprised me how often well-meaning adults try to offer him food. He is old enough to tell them he isn't allowed it.

I think any identifying badge, wristband etc is useful.

A friend uses a homemade badge at parties which says 'please don't feed me, I have allergies'

hiddenhome2 · 30/12/2015 20:50

If this is what the mum wants to do then that's fine.

This isn't Allergy Top Trumps.

MrsJayy · 30/12/2015 20:50

Why not its a peace of mind for mum and a visual for other people if say they are at playgroup or a party its not doing any harm is it.

Shineyshoes10 · 30/12/2015 20:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MuttonDressedAsMutton · 30/12/2015 20:53

Can you give us some idea why you think this is any of your business? Confused

Original poster
MsJamieFraser · 30/12/2015 20:53

Can I just say that I do not think nor have I suggested or even implicated my child it's the only kid in the village with an allergen Hmm

Allergens in the medical world only go to grade 5, I some allergens they can go to grade 6, some of Ds's IgE results have sown way beyond recorded medical results... And he can't be tested for one allergy wothout it affecting another, or causing him to go into a second anaphlaxic allergic reaction.

There is no completion with me, it's just that I don't understand why a toddler needs a medical "tag" at that age..

But I do see that I am being UR

OP posts:
Mistigri · 30/12/2015 20:53

I would think that a bracelet is all the more important for a severely allergic child who is too young to explain her medical condition herself. Especially if the child attends nursery.

multivac · 30/12/2015 20:54

Good grief. What a weird, and mean-spirited, thread.

Don't worry, OP. I'm sure no one is going to try and take your kid's allergy grading away from him.

Floggingmolly · 30/12/2015 20:54

How has your ds got a grade 7 allergy when the scale only goes to 5??

Blarblarblar · 30/12/2015 20:54

Good idea, my friend has a little collection of allergy bracelets from tiny baby one to grown man now. Allergic to penicillin. No harm can come of wearing one.

Twirlywoooo · 30/12/2015 20:56

Childcare settings have students, visiting staff, parents.... You can't control the setting or those who enter it. I could inform his carer at drop off but after that I wasn't in control of who comes into contact with him or who is aware. Also, what if the child had a different carer, one who wasn't aware and for whatever reason wasn't informed of the allergy? Surely a visual clue is a good thing?

It's easier now Ds is at school, not only is he aware, the school ensure that his photo, with his allergy details (peanut and dust mite) and the location of his epipen are always posted in the school staff room. All staff who come into contact with him are aware.

Original poster
MsJamieFraser · 30/12/2015 20:57

I didn't say it was any of my business... I was just an out loud thought... But I suppose it's the same with any social media thread... You ask the public an opinion you get varied responses...

I haven't queried this woman on her public post... I've actually told her cheaper options... As she did not want to pay full price medical bracelets prices!

OP posts:
MrsJayy · 30/12/2015 20:58

How can an allergy go up a grade if it only goes to 5 what happens at 6 do you turn to dust or something

Viviennemary · 30/12/2015 20:58

I don't know much about allergies but I'd think a two year old did need a medical bracelet because they won't be able to explain what they are allergic to.

Maybe83 · 30/12/2015 20:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SavoyCabbage · 30/12/2015 21:00

I was at a playgroup when a toddler had an anaphylactic reaction to banana as someone else's mother gave him a banana. People were always giving my dd a biscuit at playgroups.

multivac · 30/12/2015 21:01

"As she did not want to pay full price medical bracelets prices!"

Ohmigod - she clearly doesn't love her toddler at all! Thank goodness you were there for her, OP, even though her child is practically ungraded, in allergy terms!

Enjolrass · 30/12/2015 21:04

Do you feel she is making you look bad for not doing it?

I collapsed in town when dd was 2. Ambulance transported us both to hospital and a nurse looked after dd, until Dh got there.

That is one situation where it would be good to have a bracelet

Myothercarisalsoshit · 30/12/2015 21:05

Just ignore her...She's just jumping on your bandwagon. How dare she???
My kid has the big three allergies all at grade thirty two. Get over yourself love.

AliceInUnderpants · 30/12/2015 21:07

www.aaaai.org/Aaaai/media/MediaLibrary/PDF%20Documents/Immunotherapy%20Forms/7b-World-Allergy-Organization-Systemic-Reaction-Grading-systemx.pdf

Apparently grade 5 is death so, yes, grade 6 would indeed be dust MrsJayy Grin

Youarentkiddingme · 30/12/2015 21:07

So when they are out and about its obvious to people the child has an allergy. ds use to carry a tag on his bag saying he carried an epipen. He doesn't even have allergies just had allergic reactions and an ana reaction.
He's 11yo now and has an ice app on his phone that says he has ASD, previous seizures and allergic reactions.

I'd have thought a toddler was the most obvious candidate for a medical alert bracelet - they are the catagory that can communicate verbally the least and have the least understanding to say they can't eat/touch something.

DustyCropHopper · 30/12/2015 21:08

There is always a chance someone could give a child something at a tots group when mum isn't looking or at a soft play area etc. If my child had a serious allergy I would want them to be used to wearing something to show it. A friend of mine's child has epilepsy and has warn a warning band from about 3 (when diagnosed). Good idea if you ask me.