Category Archives: About Food Allergies

Articles related to living with food allergies

About Food Allergies, Allergy Symptoms

Peanut Allergy Food Challenge

Our Peanut Challenge Experience

Image of first dose of peanut butter given at 1/4 teaspoon
First dose of Peanut butter at 1/4 teaspoon


My kids are allergic to peanuts. The older one had an anaphylactic reaction at 11 months old to half a peanut. The younger one was never exposed to peanuts since we kept a peanut-free home. However, she was showing positive skin prick tests and blood work. Since about last year, both kids were still positive on their skin tests but showed improvement in their blood work. The doctor suggested we do a food challenge at this point. A food challenge is performed by giving incremental amounts of peanuts, in our case, peanut butter, until they reach a tablespoon. The nurse provides a second tablespoon if they don’t have any symptoms after the first dose. We weren’t ready to do this challenge last year; the kids were still apprehensive. They didn’t want to take a chance of reacting.
The kids felt better about it after their allergy appointment this year. So, we went ahead and scheduled it. We discontinued antihistamines for at least 24 hours before the test and did not eat anything prior. The nurse gave the kids a dose of ¼ teaspoon of peanut butter every ten minutes. The first dose was plain peanut butter, and they did have some reaction with the direct contact with the peanut butter, but no anaphylaxis. So the nurse mixed the next dose at ½ tsp with ice cream. They did better with it mixed. Both kids made it up to a tablespoon, which technically means they passed the challenge. However, the older one started having symptoms after his second dose of one tablespoon. His eyes were red, and he began sneezing. We saw a hive, and at that point, the nurse gave him Benadryl, Zyrtec, and a steroid. The combination of medicine cleared everything up within 30 minutes. We stayed for another 30 minutes, and since both kids were okay, the doctor sent us home.
So, the results were that both passed the peanut challenge and had a high peanut tolerance. The younger child still had a feeling in her throat after the challenge, and we gave her Benadryl. She was also a bit nauseous. We were curious to know if it was related to the peanut challenge or not. The doctor instructed us to give them a tablespoon of peanut butter every two weeks to maintain their tolerance.
Both kids were very excited to pass the challenge. It is an enormous weight off all of our shoulders. We now know there is less chance of a significant allergic reaction if they are accidentally exposed. We still need to be vigilant and ensure they are not eating products that contain peanuts, but they may be able to consume products that are “made in a facility” or have a “may contain” statement.

About Food Allergies, milk and nut free home

Food Allergies and Birthday Parties

If you’re a parent of a child with food allergies, you know how challenging it can be to attend birthday parties. You worry about the food, the cake, and the snacks, and you never know what to expect. As a parent of two children with food allergies, I can relate to these concerns. In this blog post, I will share my experience and provide tips for attending birthday parties with food allergies.

First, let me tell you a story about my kids’ birthday party experiences. When we were invited to a friend’s house or venue for a birthday party, and I knew I had to pack my own food. My daughter had a dairy allergy and still has a peanut and tree nut allergy; my son a peanut and tree nut allergy. They couldn’t eat pizza or cake from the party. I had to pack my own pizza, which I made at home with dairy-free cheese and nut-free ingredients. For the cake, I made a homemade cake that was free from dairy and nuts. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it to ensure my kids” safety. I always felt a bit awkward bringing my own food to the party however.

One of the biggest challenges of attending birthday parties with food allergies is finding safe food to eat. Many commercially baked cakes and pizza contain dairy and nuts, which are common allergens. The cake itself may be nut-free, but can easily become cross-contaminated from other bakery item containing nuts. Even if the host tries to accommodate your child’s allergy, there’s always a risk of cross-contamination. That’s why it’s essential to plan ahead and bring your own food. We also always travel with our epinephrine injectors just in case.

When attending a birthday party with food allergies, it’s important to communicate with the host. Let them know about your child’s allergy and offer to bring your own food. Most hosts will be understanding and grateful for your help. They may even ask you for advice on how to accommodate other guests with food allergies.

Another tip for attending birthday parties with food allergies is to bring snacks. When you’re unsure about the food at the party, having a stash of safe snacks can be a lifesaver. Pack some fruit, popcorn, candy or crackers that your child can enjoy. This will also help ensure your child feels included if no safe snacks are available. Once my kids got a little older, I didn’t have to worry as much about them feeling left out. They understood that certain food items were not safe for them.

Lastly, it’s important to educate your child about their allergies. Teach them how to read food labels and identify common allergens. This will help them make informed decisions about what they can and cannot eat. It’s also important to teach them how to speak up for themselves and ask questions about the food at the party. My kids have been self-advocating since about first grade. They know not to eat anything without asking and especially not to eat anything without a label.

In conclusion, attending birthday parties with food allergies can be challenging, but it’s possible to have a fun and safe experience. Planning ahead, communicating with the host, bringing safe snacks, and educating your child are all essential steps. By taking these precautions, you can ensure that your child can enjoy the party without worrying about their allergies.

About Food Allergies

Managing Peanut and Tree Nut Allergies in Kids at School

Managing Peanut and Tree Nut Allergies in Kids at School: Tips and Strategies: Sack lunch with apple
(c) Can Stock Photo / tobkatrina

Managing Peanut and Tree Nut Allergies in Kids at School: Tips and Strategies

Peanut and tree nut allergies are serious health concerns that affect millions of children in the United States. These allergies can cause severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. As a parent, it’s essential to take steps to manage your child’s allergies, especially when they’re at school.

In this blog post, we’ll share tips and strategies for managing peanut and tree nut allergies in kids at school. We’ll also discuss the use of a 504 plan, which is a legal document that can help ensure your child’s safety and well-being in school.

Understanding Peanut and Tree Nut Allergies

Before we dive into strategies for managing peanut and tree nut allergies at school, let’s take a moment to understand what these allergies are and how they can affect children.

Peanut and tree nut allergies are among the most common food allergies in children. When a child with an allergy comes into contact with peanuts or tree nuts, their immune system reacts as if the proteins in these foods are harmful invaders, triggering an allergic reaction. If you haven’t read my story, check it out here: https://milkandnutfreekids.com/

Symptoms of a peanut or tree nut allergy can range from mild (itchy mouth, hives, and nausea) to severe (anaphylaxis, which can cause difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness).

Managing Peanut and Tree Nut Allergies at School

Here are some tips and strategies for managing peanut and tree nut allergies in kids at school:

Communicate with School Staff

It’s important to communicate with your child’s school staff about their allergies. Make sure they’re aware of your child’s allergy and what steps need to be taken to keep them safe.

Develop a 504 Plan

A 504 plan is a legal document that outlines accommodations and services for children with disabilities or medical conditions, including food allergies. Work with your child’s school to develop a plan that addresses their specific needs, such as a designated lunch table, an allergy-free classroom, and an emergency action plan in case of an allergic reaction. Our schools usually review and update the plans every three years. For more information about what to include in your 504 plan, I recommend visiting https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/section-504-and-written-management-plans.

Teach Your Child to Advocate for Themselves

As your child gets older, they should learn how to advocate for themselves and communicate their needs to teachers and other school staff. Teach them to read food labels, identify allergens, and speak up if they feel unsafe. My kids have been advocating for themselves since around first and second grade.

Provide Safe Snacks and Lunches

Pack safe snacks and lunches for your child to bring to school. Ensure they understand what foods are safe for them and what to avoid. Our school does offer PB&J, so I generally pack a lunch. But, all the other lunch choices at our school are nut-free if they eat school breakfast or lunch.

Educate Your Child’s Peers

Talk to your child’s classmates and their parents about peanut and tree nut allergies. Encourage them to be mindful of your child’s allergies and to avoid bringing peanut or tree nut products to school. Most parents are understanding, although we’ve had some pushback from a few parents. There is a muddy line when it come to products that are “made in a facility”. In those cases, we provide our own classroom snack or ask our child not to eat the snack that was brought in.

Conclusion

Managing peanut and tree nut allergies in kids at school requires communication, planning, and education. By working with your child’s school to develop a 504 plan and educating your child and their peers, you can help ensure their safety and well-being at school. Remember, with proper management and planning, children with peanut and tree nut allergies can thrive in school and beyond.

About Food Allergies, Uncategorized

How do you test for food allergies?

How do you test for food allergies? Allergy Test Word Cloud
(c) Can Stock Photo / ibreakstock

How do you test for food allergies?

If you suspect that you have a food allergy, it is crucial to see an allergist. Your allergist will diagnose and test for food allergies. It took us a while to find a good allergist, but our new doctor is great. Read our story here. A great resource for understanding food allergies and symptoms is through F.A.R.E.’s website (Food Allergy Research & Education):

https://www.foodallergy.org/

Here are the most common methods used to test for food allergies:

Skin prick test: This involves placing a small amount of the suspected allergen on the skin and then pricking or scratching the skin to allow the allergen to enter the body. If you are allergic to the substance, you will develop a raised bump or rash at the test site.

Blood test: A blood test can measure the amount of allergy-causing antibodies in your bloodstream. A blood sample is taken and analyzed for the presence of specific antibodies that your immune system produces in response to the allergen.

Oral food challenge: This test involves eating small amounts of the suspected allergen under medical supervision. This is typically done in a doctor’s office or hospital where emergency care is readily available if necessary.

We’ve done all three tests. We usually do the first two at each visit and then the food challenge if the other two come out looking good. 

It’s important to note that some people may have false positive or false negative results with any of these tests, so it’s important to work with a qualified medical professional to interpret the results and develop a plan for managing your food allergies.

About Food Allergies, Uncategorized

What are the 10 most common food allergies?

  1. Peanuts
  2. Tree nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios)
  3. Milk
  4. Eggs
  5. Wheat
  6. Soy
  7. Fish (e.g. salmon, tuna, cod)
  8. Shellfish (e.g. shrimp, crab, lobster)
  9. Sesame seeds
  10. Mustard

It’s worth noting that some people may also be allergic to other foods not on this list, such as corn, garlic, or avocados. Additionally, food allergies can vary in severity, with some people experiencing mild symptoms while others may have life-threatening reactions. If you suspect that you have a food allergy, it’s important to consult with a doctor or allergist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

About Food Allergies, Allergy Symptoms, milk and nut free home

Milk and Nut free home


This is where it gets complicated. Both kids can’t have nuts and one can’t have milk. The other kid loves his milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. What do you do? I tried eliminating all milk from the house, but that wasn’t working out very well. So we have milk in the house but it has to be away from little sister. If my son gets a glass of chocolate milk, my daughter gets a glass of chocolate soy milk. They have to drink it at the table so that there is no confusion and cups go right in the sink after its gone (in theory). So far, so good. There hasn’t been a cup mix up yet. My daughter drinks an organic soy milk made from Westsoy.

The Westsoy brand does not contain carrageenan. I’d like to get her off the soy milk so my quest is to find and try a rice milk without sunflower oil and carrageenan. I’ll report on one once I’ve tried it.

My son loves his yogurt! So I had to find something similar for my daughter. There are several brands of soy yogurt on the market now that conatain cultured soy. They are actually pretty tasty. If my son, has to have a certain brand of yogurt, I just save his cup and let my daughter have her “yogurt” in his old cup so she doesn’t think he’s getting something different. I can put whatever I want in there, so when I’m out of soy yogurt, I use mashed up banana in soy milk. She just thinks she’s getting banana yogurt.

Here are a couple of brands of soy “yogurt” my daughter enjoys eating, Nancy’s Soy & Silk Soy.