My daughter who is 25 was diagnosed with a peanut allergy at 18mos. The same doctor who diagnosed her just tested her again and said she is not allergic. He said she has outgrown it or was possibly never allergic. After about 22 years of living with reading labels, keeping current epi-pens(you know the drill), I can't believe this and don't know what to think. Is she really safe? Were the tests really that off years ago or did she really outgrow it?
Not Allergic Anymore
Posted on: Thu, 01/02/2014 - 10:59am
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Question of the Week: Answered!
Every week, PeanutAllergy.com is answering one of the questions posted in our community.
Our Answer:
It is possible that your daughter has outgrown her peanut allergy. Approximately 25 percent of children who have a peanut allergy will outgrow it. However, there is a small risk of the allergy returning. A 2004 study recommended that those who outgrow their allergy eat peanuts on a regular basis, as it can lower the chance of the allergy returning.
According to Food Allergy Research & Education, between 50 and 60 percent of blood tests and skin prick tests yield “false positives.” When your daughter was diagnosed as a toddler, the results could have been false.
Whether your daughter has outgrown the allergy or the test result was a “false positive,” make sure she still carries her EpiPens with her at all times and have her tested in the future.
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Hi
When your daughter was first diagnosed, did she have an actual reaction from a peanut? or did she just test positive for it ? I would ask the allergist for a "food" challenge before I would be comfortable believing that she outgrew it. I too would still keep an epi pen with her just to be safe… If she never actually had a reaction from it, it could be a false positive. My son tested positive for tomato, and he eats them all the time with no issues. He did however actually eat peanut and shellfish and had a reaction. So I know he is allergic just had him tested to confirm. Good luck! How great for her if she has outgrown it!
My daughter is also allergic to peanuts, but grew out of her egg allergy. We had her do an egg challenge to be sure - do the peanut challenge - they will give her tiny amounts and gradually increase in intervals.
Daughter's First Test Inaccurate
After my daughter's first reaction to peanuts, we had her skin tested and she tested positive for peanut, corn and soy. We stayed away from all three for a year and then had her skin and blood tested. At that point she only registered positive for peanuts. I think the fist test was flawed in part because she had mild eczema.
Her allergy doctor has recommended re-testing every couple of years.
When my daughter was first diagnosed she had a reaction that consisted of swollen lips and a red rash around her mouth-it was not life threatening.She then tested positive for peanuts. She just did a "food" challenge and had no reaction. She said she is not interested in eating peanut products because she has avoided them for son long but it has given her a measure of relief not to have to read all labels etc.