What You Should Know When Caring for a Peanut Allergy Child:
This is why it is so important not to feed a child with food allergies anything that the parent hasn't specifically given permission for. When in doubt, don't feed it to them. Even something that seems harmless can cause a reaction, and you don't want to take that chance.
Exposure happens, be prepared: Even under the most watchful eye exposure to peanuts can happen, it's just a fact of life. Here are the signs to look out for:
1. Skin changes:
Redness and swelling around lips
Hives (this is a photo of Ellie)
Swollen eyes, runny nose
2. Breathing changes: wheezing, labored breathing, and panting are signs for concern.
3. Tummy Trouble: Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps are all signs of allergic reaction when present with breathing changes or skin changes.
What to do: In the presence of hives or other skin changes, give oral Benadryl and call the parent. If the child is experiencing any two of these signs at the same time give the Epipen and call 911. CALL 911 FIRST, then call the parent. Make sure you give the Epipen to the EMT, because the hospital might need to know exactly how much medication the child received.
As many an allergist has said, when in doubt, just use the Epipen. The benefits far outweigh the risks.
As many an allergist has said, when in doubt, just use the Epipen. The benefits far outweigh the risks.
Communication is so important! If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask! It could save a child's life.
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I applaud you for trying to inform people regarding the dangers of exposure for those with a peanut allergy. Just wondering, what amount of accountability do you feel others should have for what your child eats vs. the parent? My example is from a playgroup. A boy who was attending has some food allergies. I didn't know he would be attending, and I had brought snacks for my child. The mother freaked out when she saw my daughter getting snacks out of my bag to eat, asking what the ingredients were. Since I didn't know he would be attending, that wasn't something on my mind when I packed them. Honestly, we hadn't had time for breakfast, so the only thing on my mind was making sure I brought something for her to eat. I ended up taking the food from my daughter and telling her that she couldn't eat it because of the reaction and questioning, leaving me with a hungry and cranky toddler with no offer to share his snacks she had brought.
ReplyDeleteI know she was worried, as she should be, but this similar scenario has happened numerous times with myself and others. We don't know when she will be there, and since I am worrying about other allergies and things we are avoiding as a family, adding his concerns isn't at the top of my list, especially when I only see her at a function once every 6 weeks or so. I can't be worried constantly for her child when I have my own to worry about. How could I better handle these situations as they arise?
That is a very good question. I have been in a similar situation before with Ellie. I would never tell another mom she couldn't feed her kid something with peanuts! (Unless it was at my house, but I tell everyone before they come over that my house needs to be a peanut free zone.) As a mother it's my responsibility to protect my child, so I usually ask that if the child had peanuts or peanut butter that the parent used a wipe on his/her hands and face before the child played with Ellie. I have done this in the past and no one seems to mind. We haven't had any reactions because of it.
DeleteMaybe in the future you could offer such a compromise. Maybe say something like, "I understand your concern, would it be acceptable to let my child eat her snack and wipe her down very well afterward?"
Honestly if I brought a snack for my kid and another mom told me not to feed it to them I would probable be ticked!
I have a peanut allergic child and my younger daughter has a rare disease where she can't digest a whole long list of foods. I am so used to it, but it seems like a giant nightmare for otheres. I ALWAYS take care of my kids party and school snacks. It's not the same foods all the other kids are eating, but my girls are so used to it. I love that you are emphasizing the idea that you really shouldn't feed a peanut allergic kid ANYTHING unless it's parent approved. It is so scary putting that amount of trust in other parents. I don't know if we'll ever have to use our epipen, but I hope not. It's a very serious issue and it's important that other parents recognize it. Thanks for writing this post.
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