newly diagnosed with peanut allergy and need help

1. Yes you should carry children's benadryl.
2. The effect of an epi-pen can wear off in 15-25 minutes. How far are you from an hospital or ambulance service. I am 25 minutes so I have two.
Keep in mind that an epi-pen might misfire. And, yes, you need to carry it with you all the time.
3. Yes, there should be epi-pens for her at her preschool.
4. Meet with the director of your preschool. Ask for a peanut free atmosphere. Some people have reactions from touching peanut residue on surfaces (putting hands in mouth) or from inhaling peanut protein in the air. If you have to find a preschool that is already peanut-free and move her.
5. Some children outgrow peanut allergy. It is always better to be safe than take risks.

Please research this site under the "schools" group....there is lots of information on how to make your school peanut free.

My daughter was diagnosed 18 months ago at age 2.5. Her preschool was already nut/peanut-free so we were lucky, but the school that she'll be at for kindergarten is a totally different story.

I 2nd everything that the previous poster said. I like to carry 2 epipens, and we have 2 that we keep at the preschool. Starting in September, she'll carry her own in a belt/fanny pack, have one in the classroom, and one in the office, I believe (details still to be ironed out).

What I've read is that 20% of people outgrow a peanut allergy. Factors include family history, being only allergic to peanuts VS multiple allergies, whether they have eczema and/or asthma. . . . Given the chances, I like to live as if my children will always have their allergies, and then be pleasantly surprised if they outgrow it.

Another free site that I like is the forum for Allergic Living magazine www.allergicliving.com/forum. It's Canadian, but there are Americans on there, and most of the information is still relevent.

christinesmom, I just watched a great documentary which would answer many of these question. It is called I'm Not Nuts: Living with Food Allergies, and is by Kevin Lindenmuth. It is practically a primer on the basics of living with food allergies. I wish it had been around when we first got our son's diagnosis. I highly recommend it! I can't recall the url off the top of my head and I am starting to fade now since it is so late. I'll come back tomorrow with the url for you. It's a must see.

One more thought before I sign off. Dr. Michael Young's book is a great resource too.

Jennifer B
www.foodallergybuzz.com

Hey Shannon--we go to him too! He sure does know his stuff! (You must not be too far away.)

1. 2 epipens should be available at all times, eg 2 at her school and 2 for "at home" (that is, to be carried with her everywhere she goes). This is because a second dose may be needed, or the first attempt may go awry. Our doctor has always been willing to prescribe 4 at once for this.
2. Carry benadryl, either liquid or "meltaways" as they are both absorbed rapidly. In case of a true allergic reaction give the Epi! Then give Benadryl as well. But don't just give the Benadryl and hope that is enough.
3. A great resource is FAAN, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. Their website and newsletters are full of great info. They have school guides and model "action plans" to go over with school personel as well. She should not be in the same room with children eating peanut butter, as children of this age can not eat something without it winding up all over everything.
4. Meet with the school director and make sure s/he is responsive and understanding to the issue of food allergies. Alot of otherwise well meaning people can't seem to take this issue seriously enough. They also often see it as a slipprey slope, and if they "indulge" one child's food issues then they will have to start indulging a whole host of others (will they be faced with running a nut, egg, milk, gluten, fish, starwberry, soy free facility!?). No one in education has not heard of this issue, but many have not had to deal with it directly. Don't put your daughter at risk--if you feel that she is not being adequately cared for take her out of that school!