I have talked to my 2yo DD's pediatrician about her getting mild hives after contact when I had some pb.
When she was a little baby, he said allergy testing wasn't too accurate and to wait until she was 2.
I avoided intro of peanut products/pb and stopped eating them myself as a precaution until her 2year checkup.
I asked again, and he said she would have likely shown a more serious reaction by now since if she was allergic, since peanuts are in everything. He said we could do bloodwork, or just try giving her a pb&j.
I went home with a lab slip, but decided I was probably over-reacting since allergies are not that common.
I purchased a jar of pb, and made her a sandwich using the bread and jam she usually eats for toast.
She didn't want to eat it, but did touch the sandwich and take it apart.
Almost immediately she got hives all over her little face.
I washed her hands and face with soap and water, and rushed her to the lab to get the blood draw done. I notified the ped, and they said they'd call me in a couple days when the labwork was done.
They called back and said she has a mild allergy to peanuts (and egg whites), and that's it, and tried to rush me off the phone. No explination as to what that meant for lifestyle changes, no instructions on what to do if she had another reaction, no suggestion to give benadryl, no nothing.
I asked what test they did, and asked if they could clarify the results, and they only said the results were positive-mild. I asked what to do if she has a reaction and what to look and out for, and they just said "you could just eliminate the foods from her diet".
I asked for more clarification, and the nurse said she'd check with the doctor. When they called back, they said that since it was just hte one reaction, to not worry about eliminating the foods from her diet unless she has another reaction. If she gets hives again, then stop giving her the peanuts.
I made it clear that I didn't feel comfortable with the suggestion to give her the food again, and then they offered to give me a prescription for an epi-pen, but that was it.
I got no instruction on what to look for if the reaction starts to turn serious, no instructions on how or when to use an epi-pen, no suggestion to carry benadryl or when to give it or how much, etc.
I am livid. I am thankful that her allergy is mild and her reactions has been minor, but worried because I don't feel I can trust my pediatrician. There just isn't enough info being shared.
I made an appointment with an allergist, but am just angry and feel I'm being blown off.
Is this standard procedure? Am I over-reacting?
Hello and welcome, PANewbie,
Wow! No, this is not standard procedure. I do not think you are over-reacting. You are wise to get a second opinion.
When my son had his first big, obvious reaction to peanuts, we called the allergist--who we already had visited for eczema--and they made an appointment for the very next day. When we got there, they gave us an epipen, demonstrated how to use it, and explained that the next reaction could be life threatening.
On the blood test, my son's numbers are not terribly high--they are "moderate". For the skin test, the nurses said he had the largest wheal (hive) they'd seen at that location for peanut allergy. (This was the Lexington, MA location of Children's Hospital Boston.) You will read in many places that the severity of one reaction is not a good predictor for the severity of future reactions. I have read that some PA individuals have low numbers but yet react very severely (even anaphylaxis).
PA can be life threatening. Get a 2nd opinion. If you are not happy with that allergist, get a 3rd opinion. You need to feel comfortable with the advice you are receiving for your child.
I am not a medical professional, but here's my 2 cents on a few of the grey areas you mentioned:
1. "When they called back, they said that since it was just hte one reaction, to not worry about eliminating the foods from her diet unless she has another reaction. If she gets hives again, then stop giving her the peanuts."
IMO, it is potentially too dangerous to risk giving her food containing peanuts. What if the next reaction is something more severe than hives?
2. "I got no instruction on what to look for if the reaction starts to turn serious, no instructions on how or when to use an epi-pen, no suggestion to carry benadryl or when to give it or how much, etc."
Our allergist advised us to use benadryl for localized hives. We are to use the epipen if the hives are all over, spreading rapidly, for gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, severe cramping), respiratory symptoms.
I just realized you said you received no instruction on how to use the epipen. That is truly atrocious. (Have you considered complaining about this physician?!) Here is a link to a video from Dey, the manufacturer of Epipens, on how to use an Epipen: http://tiny.cc/pkjbz . Carry at least 2 Epipens in case one malfunctions or an error occurs, so you will have a backup, or in case help takes a bit longer to arrive.
I recommend carrying benadryl at all times. I am not sure how much is the correct dose for your child's weight/age, perhaps 1/2 teaspoon. You should check with the new allergist on that. I carry Benadryl Perfect Measure prefilled spoons. They contain one teaspoon, which is probably too much for your daughter. They do not leak (unlike bottles of Benadryl), however, and are very portable. In a pinch, you could administer only 1/2 a dose by dead reckoning. (I have had to do this.)
I hope I covered everything. I don't blame you for being upset. You are 100% correct to feel that way. It does not seem you got much help, if any, from your doctor. I hope the allergist proves to be more helpful. If you feel comfortable, you can let us know your general whereabouts so others in your area might recommend an allergist or local support group.
Best wishes,
Jennifer B
www.foodallergybuzz.com
Jennifer B
www.foodallergybuzz.com
www.peanutfreebaseball.com
Jennifer B
www.foodallergybuzz.com
www.peanutfreebaseball.com