Hello, From the mom who read labels constantly

That's a lotta stuff. But you can do it!!

Both my boys (2 and 3) are allergic to peanuts and treenuts and one is also allergic to shellfish. One of them may have an airborne allergy to peanuts, we aren't sure.

Peanut, shellfish and fish are not exceptionally difficult to avoid; the wheat and the "intolerant' items may be a bit more of a challenge. She's going to eat a lot of fruits and veggies, eh?!

I would find out if your daughter's preschool has ever dealt with an allergic child before. If not, you will have to educate them - don't assume anything. Parents of allergic kids read and absorb and live this stuff; others do not. Keep giving reminders and updated dosage lists (when to give benadryl vs when to give Epi.) Be courteous, but be a PITA. I found that when I approached my preschool in a "let's figure this out together" manner, they were very receptive and eager to listen and work with me. Good luck!

Tracy

Thank you for your advice.

Lily--welcome to peanutallergy.com! You will find a great community here of people who just love to help.

First I must say kudos to you in not only being a single mom but a single mom of a food allergic child. Food allergies has been one of the most challenging parts of life for me in raising my children.

I have 2 boys ages 5 and 6. My 6 yr old is now in 1st grade and is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, sesame and soy.

We were actually not worried at all going into prek until we got into prek and realized how foolish we were for not being worried.

Like Tracy said--I would ck in with the school to see if they are familiar with and have experience with food allergies. You may be surprised. Many preschools are on top it.

If not--you can see if they are willing to listen and accommodate any requests you might have. If not--I would find a new preschool.

Many preschools serve snack either provided by the school or by parents with kids at the school that rotate. You need to decide if your child will bring her own snack (easier and safer) or have snacks at the school that have to/need to be safe for her (more inclusive).

In preschool we did the own snack route but as my son got into public school--I really have fought for foods that are served to the whole class to be safe and inclusive for my son too. It's no fun being left out.

I'd start there and see where you get. My website deals with schools a lot since I just dealt with it a lot. Following is a link to a school resource page on my site.

http://www.bestallergysites.com/category/allergysupport/allergy-101/scho...

Let us know how it works out!
Ruth

I did look into it. I have to talk to them about it. They do the snack rotation. AS it stand I will not only have to provide 100% of her snacks, but a bi-monthly rotation for 20 students. This seems unfair to me because I have to provide her snacks and theirs.

I am the grandmother of PA and TA grandson. His mommy and daddy and I always read the labels and we tell him to always ask us before eating anything he is 8 now and has had 2 reactions in his life time, an itchy burning throat with a swollen lip and skin rash. He has an epipen. our problem is grandpa, he does not take reading the labels seriously. He thinks oh, they just put that on the pkg because they are afraid of getting sued!!! What part of may contain peanuts does he not get. How can we educate him? is there a film or book about this he can read? Is that not the most rediculus thing you have ever heard. I am so upset with him. My grandson knows better not the eat but trusts him , tonite his cousins from Md were visiting and grandpa got a box of drakes ring dings out and gave them all one 3 cousins and grandson. , did not read the label, I happened to come in the kitchen when he said all of you need a drink of milk now right? I happend to look at my grandson taking his 2nd bite and grabed it from him. It upset mygrandson he ran to his room afraid he was goning to end up in the ER. I calmed him down and gave him benedrl just in case and told his papa I was very upset with him and all the kids were questioning it which made things worse. Papa now says oh Im sorry I didnt mean it, I forgot to read it, but makes that comment all the time about the "may contain nuts or Mfged in a facility that etc....
"oh they only do that so they wont get sued" PLEASE let me know where I can get info on this subject. Nothing happened so far... this time!! I pray it never happens again and Papa learned his lesson . He did end up in the ER, 2yrs ago, eating a cake from Stop n Shop that didnt evey have anything on the label, not one mention of peanut/treenut. Papa says oh thats cause its from a bakery????????? And I thought he was an intelligent man!!!
Thanks for listening.

HI belle,
Sounds like he just does not get it.

I found the link Best Allergy posted to be helpful.

Thank you septemberrayne for that comment. Let me know how it goes with the school. You might be able to work it out with them. I agree--it seems unfair that you need to provide snacks when your daughter can not participate. Perhaps they will be willing to let you out of that commitment.

Belle--it's not an uncommon comment "they just put that there so they won't get sued" and in fact there is probably some part truth in there.

However, a study out there has shown that up to 10% of foods tested that were labeled with a warning label did in fact contain detectable amounts of peanut protein even though peanut was not an ingredient.

I can't get my hands on that study right now--you'll have to do some digging/googling if you need it immediately.

In the future I plan to have a link/page on Best Allergy Sites with links to all these studies.

I would love to get my hands on that study too. It would be nice to know if there are any companies who put that to save themselves are safe enough to give on occasion