Peanut-Free/Nut-Free Directory
Our directory is intended as a resource for people with peanut and nut allergies. It contains foods, helpful products, and much more.
Discussion Groups
Main Menu
Community
Peanut Free Directory
Understand
- What is a Peanut Allergy
- Foods to Avoid
- The Allergic Reaction
- Recognizing and Treating Anaphylaxis
- Causes
- Epinephrine Auto-Injectors
- Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Medical ID Bracelets
- Support Groups
- Awareness
Peanut Free and Nut Free
Other Food Allergies
Traces of traces?
By mkate on Fri, 10-02-09, 10:05
Okay, so my son had his first allergy appointment and he tested negative for sesame and a whole bunch of tree nuts, positive only to peanuts. At this point I wouldn't give him the tree nuts unless I knew for a fact that they came from a source that does not handle peanuts (which is more of a possibility here in Spain, as tree nuts are grown here but not peanuts.)
But, there are some things I would like to be able to include as "safe" that have the warning: "Processed in a facility that uses walnut, almond, and hazelnut." He is not allergic to any of these. So, the potential issue would be possible traces of peanut on the nuts that are themselves only possible traces. Obviously this is a judgment call that each person has to make for themselves, but I'm curious if other people avoid these "traces of traces." My son has only had one reaction so far, to ingestion of peanut butter, but he is also only 19 months old and we've only known about the allergy for a few months.
What do others do in these cases?
__________________
Kate
ds 1 2002 no known allergies
ds 2 2004 no known allergies
ds 3 2008 rx to peanut butter
Spain
By jenniferbfab on Wed, 10-07-09, 00:42
mkate,
My 6 year old has tested negative for tree nuts and positive only for peanuts. Our allergist has told us to avoid tree nuts as well as traces of tree nuts, so we follow that religiously. After witnessing one scary severe reaction, I am too afraid to chance it.
I may be more risk-averse than the average peanut allergy mom. Hopefully, we'll get some other responses to help cover the different perspectives.
Best,
Jennifer B
www.foodallergybuzz.com
__________________
Jennifer B
www.foodallergybuzz.com
www.peanutfreebaseball.com
By mkate on Wed, 10-07-09, 05:29
Thanks, Ruth and Jennifer! Our allergist didn't say anything about traces at all, in so many words. He said that we need to avoid peanuts and foods containing peanuts, and mentioned food that he might eat outside the home as a special risk (and also suggested that we re-think consuming peanut butter in our home, since the risks were so great-- though obviously we already have taken care of that!) He did say that it was an allergy to take very seriously, although in Spain it's not very common.
So anyway, if he didn't say to avoid the tree nuts themselves, I'm sure he wouldn't have worried about traces of tree nuts. But, he's not my only source of information :)
For the moment I'm thinking I will let him have this product under my supervision, but if he's not with me I won't allow him to eat anything with traces of tree nuts. But I'm still interested in more thoughts if anyone else wants to share!
__________________
Kate
ds 1 2002 no known allergies
ds 2 2004 no known allergies
ds 3 2008 rx to peanut butter
Spain
By Food Allergy Assistant on Wed, 10-07-09, 14:14
I agree with Ruth that this one is a judgment call.
I often find that I can get a good feel by calling the manufacturer and questioning them about how the product is handled. If products are manufactured on separate lines or if a thorough cleaning process is outlined to me, I may have a better feel for the safety of the food.
These are tough decisions. I try to gather all the information I can and make the best decision based on that information.
__________________
Food Allergy Assistant
By KLR on Sun, 11-08-09, 01:47
Our son is also only allergic to peanuts, not tree nuts. For a long time we avoided anything that said traces of tree nuts, even if it was peanut free. However, now that he has also been diagnosed with Celiac disease, our food choices have become even more complicated. Many gluten-free products have tree nut warnings. We checked with our allergist and he felt that products with traces of tree nuts warnings would be safe. I still avoid anything with actual tree nuts for fear of cross-contamination.
Peanut Free and Nut Free Directory
Sign up for our newsletter and stay on top of your Peanut Allergy
Sign up for our newsletter and stay on top of your Peanut Allergy
PeanutAllergy.com Social
Kate,
You said it yourself, totally a judgment call on that one.
For us-we do have a tree nut allergy, but if we didn't have a tree nut allergy and I found a food that was peanut free made in a facility with tree nuts-but no tree nuts IN the prouduct-honestly-I would feel okay with it.
Again, judgment call. If it makes you feel better, you can call and see about the tree nuts, how they are handled, what the manufacturing and cleaning practices are, etc.
Hope that helps!
Ruth LovettSmith
Founder of http://www.bestallergysites.com/
Your Food Allergy and Gluten Free Guide, and the largest Internet directory of allergy related companies, sites, and blogs.
Disclaimer: I'm a food allergy advocate and mom of a food allergic child. I am NOT an allergist. My comments are based on my research and experiences. Please speak to your doctor regarding medical concerns.