What to do when you first find out you are peanut allergic.
We are hearing from a great number of people who have just become aware that they or their loved one is peanut allergic.
I wanted to start this thread to help them to start their learning process of how to stay safe.
I speak to many on the phone and wanted to be sure those who are not contacting us have some idea of how to stay safe. Obviously there are many threads all over these discussion boards about how to stay safe, however I wanted to have one with "how to stay safe" tips. I will post my own information but I wanted to see what we all come up with also.
Please feel free to add to this thread as many will be reading and looking for our tips and experience.
I will add some to start, this is by no means all you will need to do, just some starting tips. If you have not joined PeanutAllergy.Com or at least contacted us please do. We need to hear from you as much as you may need to know us. Contact information posted below.
Carry at least two Epi-Pens* with you at all times!
Read ALL ingredients labels and learn what words to watch for.
See a board certified allergist or similar in your country.
(Read the book "Caring for your Child with Severe Food Allergies" by Lisa Cipriano Collins.) If you are not able to locate this book where you live, contact us and we may be able to assist you.
Note: We also have this book available through PeanutAllergy.Com's amazon.com link [url="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/047134785X/peanutallergycom"]http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/047134785X/peanutallergycom[/url] )
Stay Safe,
The materials and other information provided
are for educational, communication and information purposes only and are not intended to replace or constitute medical advice or treatments.
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Stay Safe,
[email]Chris@PeanutAllergy.Com[/email]
The Peanut Allergy Answer Book, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Netowork and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America are good resources, too.
[url="http://www.foodallergy.org/"]http://www.foodallergy.org/[/url]
When I first found out my son was PA, I cried for a week solid! I found a lot of solice in these boards as well as many understanding ears and a lot of education.
[This message has been edited by Heather (edited August 16, 2001).]
I remember when we first had Taran diagnosed. Our allergist at the time said, oh sure, you can still have peanut butter, just keep it up on a high shelf.....well, little did I know at the time that you can be just as badly smell-reactive as you can to ingesting the actual nut.
First thing I'd say, is read EVERYTHING in your cupboards and get rid of any foods you don't trust. Make your home the one safe place for your child.
The other thing I learned the hard way is to read a label every time you buy the food, even if it is a staple. You never know when the labels will change, or the ingredients or what else they make on the same line. We read it in the stores, then before any package is opened in the house, it MUST BE re-read. Even my kids are learning to do this.
And above all, stay calm.....I know at the beginning it seems overwhelming, but eventually it just becomes part of your every-day life. Some days are better then others, but you will survive!
1. Buy an Epi Trainer. This is an exact replica of an Epi-Pen except it has no needle or medicaiton. Learn to use it, learn to trust the Epi Pen; it is now a part of your child. You will be cool headed and lose the fear of first use when the time comes. It's also useful to teach your child, playmates, cousins, family, school etc. The more people around your child who know how to use it, the better! In fact,my PA son and my other son play with ours and practice.
2. Buy books for your child. "No Nuts For Me" is a good one. Look at the books available here at the peanutallergy.com site. You can call a bookstore and they will order them for you.
3. Buy educational videos. Every once in a while we pop in the child friendly videos so that my 4yr old can be reminded and it also gives him the chance to talk about his situation with the other people who are viewing the video (friends, cousins, teacher etc).
4. Educate yourself and learn to be an advocate. You are the role model. Present yourself in a way so that your child learns to be assertive, positive and willing to learn. Your child will get his/her first lessons and cues from you. You the parent, will influence your child's habits, traits and life long attitude to this chronic illness.
That's all for now.
Michelle [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
Get a MedicAlert (or similar) bracelet for your child. Get them used to wearing it ALL the time, 24hr/day, as soon as possible, so that there is less hassling about it in the long-run.
Carry a package of wipe-ups with you for wiping off friends or relatives hands, as well as tables, chairs, and other surfaces if it's necessary.
Stay away from Chinese restauraunts!
Make up an allergy alert card to be sent with your order to the chef/cook when you eat out. List all terms to look for in ingredient labels, and stress that all utensils, cookware, etc must be thoroughly cleaned before coming into contact with your child's food.
Carry a bottle of Benadryl with you at all times, for any minor reaction, and also to use after the Epipen in an anaphylactic reaction.
Carry your insurance card; MedicAlert card (if you have one); the # of your pediatrician, allergist, and hospital; some change for making phone calls; and a list of some safe treats with you.
Carry some safe lollipops or similar non-perishable treat with you.
(oh, and you can get Epipen trainers for free if you call Dey--Epipen manufacturer)