We`ve tried giving Myles peanuts twice (three times if you count when my parents gave it to him and didn`t fess up about it until month`s later). The first time was just after his first birthday, the second just after his second birthday. Both times he reacted - mostly with a rash around his face.
Around his third birthday we tried again - but this time Myles wouldn`t even entertain the idea. He wanted no part of peanut butter or anything related. When we had Myles tested for Aspergers in the summer, we mentioned the suspected allergy and the pediatrician in turn set us up with testing.
Last week we made the trip about an hour or so away and had him tested. They wrote 4 different codes along his back and then put an oil type solution on top of those markings. They then took a little razor type thing to expose the skin to the oil solution. It was almost instantly that Myles started squirming - to try to get some itch relief - we knew he was reacting. Sure enough when we looked at his back there was a bit of a bump(reaction) in the second spot and the third spot was becoming a welt.
The doctor came in about 10 to 15 mins later and knew without any hesitation he was allergic to peanuts. I`m still not sure what the first spot was, but the second was to ensure he hadn`t had any antihistamines in his system. Had he of, that spot wouldn`t have reacted and the test wouldn`t have been valid. The third marking - which was now a welt was the peanut and the last tree nuts.
She went on to explain that many children who have eczema are also prone to allergies. Myles has been battling eczema since birth. At this point we she isn`t sure as to what degree of severity the allergy is - but we`ve been advised to stay away from anything with shellfish, peanuts and treenuts. We can however continue to give him things that say may contain traces of nuts, that he hasn`t reacted to - but nothing new. She also let us *in* on the fact that the reason Myles wouldn`t test peanuts again was because he knew it would be uncomfortable.
The doctor also mentioned that a percentage of children can outgrow these allergies - so we now have to have him tested yearly to see if there are any changes.
Myles sitter and teacher now have an Epi pen for him - just in case, and we carry one on us at all time and have a spare.
Although we suspected there might be an allergy - I think we hadn`t really believed it. Neither Gord or I have an allergy and it doesn`t run in the family - just goes to show that everyone is unique in their own right. But we have learned that now we need to be extra vigilant in ensuring Myles safety!
September 29th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I have a feeling Finn may have a mild allergy as well. I’ve tried him on it a few times and he always gets a bit of a rash on his face afterwards. I’ll have to mention this to our doc the next time we’re in. I’m sure you feel better knowing now, and now you can alert teachers and others to help keep him less exposed.
October 1st, 2008 at 7:56 pm
It’s almost amazing the amount of people who I have since found out have children with a peanut allergy.
It’s almost as tho, it’s a small epidemic…..