Anxiety about DD food allergies

[Nozzie234]

Hello!

Just wondering if there are any other allergy parents around who might be able to give some tips for managing allergy anxiety.

My DD was diagnosed with several nut allergies as a baby which we carry an EpiPen for - she’s now a toddler and we are extremely fortunate to have been able to do oral immunotherapy to treat her existing allergies and we are now working to include the nuts in her diet. But I still have a lot of anxiety about reactions and, especially, her developing new allergies.

She has had a few reactions (most skin related and hives) while doing the treatment and I still feel on high alert whenever she eats with me. She has eczema and is generally quite reactive/ rosy, and often gets a red face after eating which often sends me into a bit of a spiral worrying if it’s a reaction and I ruminate on it for a while afterwards. I also find eating out quite challenging.

Im also currently pregnant with number 2 and so also worried about weaning again (although I know a lot more about early introduction now) which is probably not helping.

I just wondered if anyone else had had similar issues and if it faded with time (maybe when they eat a bit less messily?) or if you did anything which helped?

thanks!

DD had her first allergic reaction at 6 months old. She was allergic to eggs and peanuts. We worked with her consultant and she outgrew those allergies but carries an EpiPen for her other allergies (walnuts, pecans, hazel nuts). She’s also allergic to birch pollen, dust and dog dander, so she takes antihistamines daily. DD is now 9 and she understands that she has to take her handbag everywhere (except school which has another pair of EpiPens). DD’s handbag contains antihistamines, two EpiPens, a mini packet of wet wipes, basic medical notes, and a variety of inhalers (DD is also asthmatic… and to complete the trifecta, she has eczema, although this has mostly gone).

DD is a sensible child. She has known from a young age to ask about ingredients (e.g. at a birthday party), and she’s very good at reading labels. During hay fever season, DD gets oral allergy syndrome and is unable to eat apples and some other raw fruits and veg. This is annoying, but at least we’re aware of it now.

This anxiety is common, but staying in constant alert mode will exhaust you.
Stick to clear reaction signs from your doctor instead of overanalyzing every redness.

Thank you - I think this is right, but facial redness is on the list that our consultant gave us and I have never been able to feel confident I know exactly what this means which I think is part of the problem!