is level 6 is that mean that he is most likely to get reaction from peanuts and will it be worst then kids who are level 1.

Hi, my son has severe Peanut allergy (level 6). I get different information from different people. I don’t understand if the fact that he is level 6 is that mean that he is most likely to get reaction from peanuts and will it be worst then kids who are level 1.
His doctor said that there is no difference and a level 1 can get severe reaction and with the same exposure level 6 can get only hives.
Also, should I avoid products that made in the same equipments share with other tree nuts since he is allergic to only peanuts? I want to watch him carefully but I don’t want to make both him and me crazy.
Last question - what are the chances that a level 6 will outgrow his allergy? Is it possible at all?
THANK YOU!

Last night at a Food allergy seminar the Dr. said that the levels don't mean that the reaction will be worse, but that a higher level means he will be more likely to have a reaction if eating that food. I think he said Level 4 or higher mean they have a 95% chance of having a reaction. But reactions can totally vary and you can never tell what will happen.

Only 20% outgrow a peanut allergy. Of those that outgrow tend to be lower level of peanut IgE, or smaller skin prick test <6MM, History of mild reactions, fewer atopic diseases, >2 years avoidance.

My son has a very severe peanut allergy, but not allergic to tree nuts. Due to cross contamination we avoid any tree nuts and May contain tree nuts as well.

and YES, it can absolutely make you crazzy! I am halfway there!

Is the "level" the result of a blood allergy test? If so, my son is a 7. But I was told that a blood test is not as accurate as the skin test, which he was over 25mm. I've never been told what "level" he is. Just curious.

Both of my daughters have PA. I have always treated all nuts the same, due to my fear of cross contamination. When they were 14, one of them asked if she could eat a tree nut (pistachio). It was a Sunkist brand. It did not say "made on shared equipment with peanuts or processed in a peanut facility". I told her she could eat ONE and see if the tree nut caused a reaction. It did! She had hives INSIDE her throat in less than a minute. I gave Benadryl and headed to the ER. Within less than 10 minutes it was a full blown anaphylactic reaction. ALL body systems were reacting. She was lethargic (blood volume pulled from her heart to her extremities to fight the nut protein in her blood). I could hear her airway closing! I pulled off the side of the road, gave epinephrine, and called 911 to notify we were enroute to hospital. She was given 2 more injections at the hospital, 2 oral meds and the hives continued for 2 more hours! She had vomited 4 or 5 times. From reading other parents stories on this website, I knew to stand my ground with the nurses and MD and not be sent home too early. Her hives looked like small pox and kept coming when the MD wanted to send her home with me! I respectfully asked, "How is that she has had 3 injections, 2 oral meds, and nebulizer tx vomited 4-5x and 2 hours later her body is still reacting to a pistachio smaller than my pinky fingernail? What will I do with her at 2 AM if this turns into a biphasic reacion? The MD raised his eyebrows, shook his head and said, "Okay, Mom, I will admit her and put her in a room upstairs." They gave her oral meds and nebulizer Tx's throughout the night. The next morning she only had a few hives left. The MD said he did not know if it was cross contaminated or a tree nut allergy, but to treat all nuts the same. Check with you allergist to see what they think. If your child CAN eat tree nuts, that would be good for you! The hospital bill was $4,000.00. She almost died. He stressed to me that I should have given the epi the moment the hives were inside her throat. I was waiting to see external hives. Each reaction can be different. Hives had always been the first symptom, not the last one. Be careful.

Well I'm so glad she recovered. How awful and scary!! Was she tested for pistachio's after that?

I'm surprised her hospital bill was only $4,000?! We were there for 4 hours and it cost $7,000. So far we've paid $900 put of pocket, and that is with insurance.

How did you know she had hives inside her throat?

Don't worry, I know that feeling. When I had to give my 4 YO the epi pen shot he was screaming at me and crying 'Please Mommy NO! No don't give me a shot!!!" over and over again. Begging me not to give it to him. It is awful.

so glad your daughter is old enough though that she knows next time she needs it. That is great. Hope there is never ever a next time!!

I have no idea about these levels because none of my allergies ever show up on testing yet I am allergic.