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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:
Salmotrutta · 30/12/2015 22:10

Or rather allergic reactions are "natural" processes in response to an allergen.

[head explodes]

Notrevealingmyidentity · 30/12/2015 22:13

I just wanted to ask - I'm sorry I'm a bit of a plant nut :

You mentioned Timothy grass and it's just so specific - can I ask about the allergy testing ? Did they test for literally every grass species Shock ? Or are a lot of people allergic to Timothy ?

Sorry again I realise this is a huge de rail.

WillSomebodyThinkOfStefan · 30/12/2015 22:14

Surely as the parent of a child with such severe allergies you should understand the importance of ensuring that all people in contact are as aware as possible. Wearing a bracelet is just one way to help pass on the message - I really can't see the problem with it.

Original poster
MsJamieFraser · 30/12/2015 22:16

No it hasn't bothered me, I have just questioned it, I haven't judged her, I haven't made into an competition, I don't think my child is the only child with allergens. In all honestly I don't want my child to fucking suffer the way he does!.

I had a mum on our social media allergy group ask about cheaper options in medical tags for her child, I questioned if a child at that age needed one to mysef then on here! I then realised I was BU!

I never said it was my business, but god forbid if anyone questions a question someone has anked and "made it their business"! half the bleeding threads on here would not be here.

OP posts:
SixtyFootDoll · 30/12/2015 22:17

None of your business

Enjolrass · 30/12/2015 22:19

No it hasn't bothered me, I have just questioned it, I haven't judged her,

But why question it? Parents asks for advice where to get a bracelet. You give it, end of.

I just really don't get why this would even raise a question.

ArkATerre · 30/12/2015 22:19

Lol X post

Shineyshoes10 · 30/12/2015 22:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MoMoTy · 30/12/2015 22:22

I too can't understand why the need to question it and then come write a post on it. You of all people should be offering support not questioning this woman on her decisions.

MimsyBorogroves · 30/12/2015 22:23

My DS (3) has a potential genetic allergy to general anaesthetic which could kill him.

He wears an alert bracelet mainly in case of a car accident where I might not be able to mention it myself. So it's possibly there to save his life. HTH.

mineofuselessinformation · 30/12/2015 22:24

I'm coming to this 'fresh' as in I haven't RTFT, sorry.
But, as the mother of a disabled child who was in a car crash while in the care of a nanny... subsequent to that incident, I did ask that she carry a card stating dc's disabilities so that should there be a serious incident, anyone involved would know and this would guide them if needed.
Would that help?
Sorry this is long-winded. Blush

Original poster
MsJamieFraser · 30/12/2015 22:26

Notrev ds has had multiple skin prick testing and also blood testing... in his first one he had 32 allergen skin tests, where purified allergen was placed directly on his skin... he needed his epipen all 6 times... is resus. Then had to stay in for 10 days as he was high risk of secondary allergic reaction. This year ds was really bad with allergens, where he had to stay indoors most of the summer as the pollen levels were so high, some days he needed oxygen 24/7

blood tests IgE have came back all grade 5/6 and some way over the recorded level.

OP posts:
Thurlow · 30/12/2015 22:29

MN is here for random questions and musings, so of course the OP can post about it if she wants to.

But the thing I genuinely, genuinely don't understand at all, OP, is why you think a child with allergies shouldn't have a medical bracelet?

Confused

Yes, at that age it's probably a 1/100,000 chance that she will not be with a carer who knows her allergies and that she will also be exposed to that allergen, But if she runs a serious medical risk by being exposed to the allergen, why take the risk that that 1/100,000 chance might happen when you could have the back up of wearing a medical bracelet?

Original poster
MsJamieFraser · 30/12/2015 22:34

mineofuse, no your so right, and we do with ds, he/we carrier his care plan with him everywhere in his medical bag.

Mimsy, I get that now, Its not something I thought about, as ds is always with us or a adult who knows and is able to give medical treatment if needed.

OP posts:
backwardpossom · 30/12/2015 22:34

This thread is batshit.

Notrevealingmyidentity · 30/12/2015 22:35

That's fascinating. I've had a quick google of Timothy allergy - I had no idea it's one of the main grass pollen allergies. I always figured allergic to one allergic to me all.

Potatoface2 · 30/12/2015 22:36

i did say there is a scale 6...treated the same as a scale 5 which is anaphylaxis....allergys are horrible not just for the person it affects but families too...much more difficult for a child though as they cannot control their environment...i really dont understand the point of the original question though....its personal to your own choice

Original poster
MsJamieFraser · 30/12/2015 22:36

Thurlow I've never said a child should not have a medical bracelet, I've questioned why a 2 year old should need one, I understand why now tho, beforehand I my mind was with school aged children.

OP posts:
Mmmmcake123 · 30/12/2015 22:38

Hey OP, I think some of these posts are a little bit in your face when really that isn't needed as you have been dealing with these allergies a long time and been putting a lot of effort in. You have accepted that you were perhaps bu to ask a simple question but posters still seem a little hellbent on having a go.
It's clearly something that niggled you (possibly because you saw no need at the time so are getting your head round it), you have been polite to parent and now accept it.
Let any feelings you had about it go as time has moved on. It wasn't on the radar when your lo was 2, and besides you knew you had his back, so it wasn't an issue.
Praise yourself for doing so well and feel good about sharing the message of bracelets now.
Cake Flowers
Also, ignore shitty posts, they don't know you

Mmmmcake123 · 30/12/2015 22:40

no need when ops lo was 2

Notso · 30/12/2015 22:54

When DS was diagnosed with peanut allergy at 14 months the allergy nurse suggested we get him used to wearing a bracelet straight away.

CoteDAzur · 30/12/2015 22:59

"...even implicated my child it's the only kid in the village with an allergen. Allergens in the medical world only go to grade 5, I some allergens they can go to grade 6"

ALLERGIES. You are talking about ALLERGIES. Please stop calling your child's allergies "allergens".

Allergen: A substance that causes an allergic reaction.

Ditsy4 · 30/12/2015 23:00

OP

It maybe that you looked after you child when he was two and therefore wonder but as one poster said perhaps the mum is thinking about nursery. I used to work in day nurseries on supply and sometimes because people were busy they forgot to pass info on. One nursery had a wall with all the child who had any medical issues on it. Photo, information, who was named person in nursery. They sometimes had as many as 60 children from 3mths -5yrs in a day. It opened at 7:30 and shut at 6pm. It was the easiest place to work and many parents sent their children there because the NN in charge was a qualified nurse too. A child wearing a bracelet would immediately notify a NN that the child had a medical issue and they would ask a member of staff immediately. The same would go for school as remember supply staff are sometimes called last minute and are not always regular supply to that school. If there isn't a TA or they are off too then it would be an instant alert. I think it is a good idea.
Some adults are very lacking in knowledge about food and allergies. The number of times I have been told "It's gluten free" when I have said I can't have dairy and "Oh it has egg in it " it makes me want to scream.
Children who have Epi-pens in school can have a visit from a nurse to train the staff how to use one. This can be repeated EVERY year as they change classes.
Sorry for long post but children are so precious.

OohMavis · 30/12/2015 23:06

My DD has is egg and dairy allergic, she's worn a bracelet since she was a baby. No amount of 'no, she's allergic, please don't feed her' would put off these feedy fuckers who were determined to ram food in her face at every given opportunity (looking at you, MIL), because apparently I'm making it all up and a 'little bit can't hurt' - oh no, could just kill her, but carry on, do...

It is extremely helpful. She also wears a backback with her allergies embroidered onto it when toddling out and about at places like playgroup or softplay. Despite this people still offer her chocolate buttons Hmm

Straycatblue · 30/12/2015 23:18

We once had an 18 month child brought into A&E with his unconscious mother following a car accident.

The mother had no ID on her and remained unconscious on a ventilator.

For the first few hours we had not even basic information ie a name for the mother and child so we had no access to past medical history or next of kin for either of them.

Obviously an extreme situation but one in which if the child had severe allergies/medical problems (thankfully he didn't) an allergy bracelet would have been invaluable.

I know you have already said you understand why its a good idea and thats why you asked the question for others opinions, it seems you are getting some unfair comments.

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