Anxiety Problems

OH YEAH [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
My 6 yr old PA daughter is anxious about a lot of foods. She is not only anxious, but angry when people are eating something she can't, for example M&M candies. We try to keep most of it out of the house, but you can't in other people's homes and many people innocently offer things and her 11 yr old sister can eat them, she has other allergies.
Arlene

Quote:Originally posted by KDS:
[b]My daughter (8yrs) is very aware of the consequences of eating foods that she is allergic to. So much so that she gets very anxious at eating a lot of food items (which are safe and have been eaten before). She will say it makes her throat itchy. So we're not sure if it's true or it's an anxiety reaction. Has anyone been dealing with this with their child? [/b]

Hi KDS,

I am deathly allergic to peanuts and any derivative thereof (as well as soy and lentils which are all of the legume family). One of my first reactions to my allergy is an itchy throat. I would call it beyond an itch. It starts out that way and turns into a full blown feeling of wanting to tear my throat out. If I were you I would take her word for it...it's a very real physical reaction. My most recent peanut ordeal is posted on the Reactions board.

Marina

I've been having a similar problem with my six year old daughter. The latest thing is that she has begun equating the smell of coffee with the smell of peanut butter. When I make coffee, which isn't all that often, she starts complaining that she smells peanut butter. (I should mention that it is just plain Starbucks coffee, not one of the flavored ones that could truly have nuts in it.) That happened this morning, and she went on say "I'm waiting to see if my throat starts closing up". This was after I reassured her that she was definitely not smelling peanut butter, and that we do not have any peanut butter or any nut products in the house. Other times she complains that her tongue feels scratchy when she is eating something. This is a symptom that we have taken very seriously in the past. It is hard with my daughter, because she is very melodramatic and likes a lot of attention. I want her to learn to pay attention to her own sense of smell and taste, and stay away from anything that she is concerned could bother her. However, it is tough when she complains of these "reactions" at home, with something that I know should be (and has been) safe. Marina, I appreciate your in-put, and I am not discounting it. It is just tricky with a child! Miriam

Hi Miriam,

Thanks for the acknowledgement. I too have though I was smelling peanuts and/or peanut products when people would swear there was none. For me because it's been such a source of terror and horror I must admit I've been paranoid at times. Very irrational, but subjectively real none-the-less. My most recent post is on the reactions board if you haven't yet read it.

Marina

Any sensation of itchiness has to be taken seriously, but most adults and older kids do at times have anxiety reactions without any actual peanut presence. It's fairly common and adaptive (when peanuts are life-threatening, fear and vigilence are self-preserving). I get them sometimes, too.

For those of you whose children are reporting symptoms to "safe" foods, perhaps you can acknowledge their concern by suggesting an immediate trip to the doctor or hospital - just in case. If the children are not "really" having the symptoms then this might help them to determine that. My kids are comfortable in the doctor's office and have never been to the hospital for an emergency yet, thank goodness-but they think twice about what they said and how they are feeling if their comment triggers a trip to the doctor. This has worked for me in less potentially serious circumstances. Maybe it will do the same in your situations. I don't present it as a threat, just as a concern, cause I really am not sure if something is wrong.."if your belly hurts, maybe we should go see Dr. B. He can help us figure out what's wrong and do something to make you feel better." On the rare occasion that this has happened, he paused for a few seconds and then said that he is fine now and it doesn't hurt anymore. In no time at all he is truly fine.

My 12 yr old son who had his first reaction to peanut at age 2 1/2 lips swelled so big i just remember his bottom lip counld not sweal any more it was spliting it was so big. anyways he has not had any peanut butter sence, it was a favorit food item for him, he can smeal peanut butter when he is in another room from it, he craves it, wishes he could have it but know it can kill him if he has it. he never has shown oviouse signs of a allergic reaction from smelling it. but after reading the message board i'm going to watch much closer if he does. anyways he has had about 5 accidental reaction at school over the years and with each one he complaines his throat is tinggeling. i believe it is because it is starting to sweel closed. i immedily give him benadryl witch has allways worked.