Hi, all! Two year lurker here but I've gained so much knowledge from this site I have to ask you all for input on our latest issue. My DS was diagnosed PA/tna at 22mo. He will be 4yo next month. (Twin DD nka.)
Alas, my FIL/MIL still don't "get it"! More than TWO years later!!!!!!! GRRRRRR! A common topic unfortunately.
DH is going to have a serious sit-down w/ them (again!) and we want to offer some sobering info. Not scare tactics but some concise, real, hard facts if ykwim.
I think b/c we've never had a serious reaction they just don't see the urgency of the situation and I certainly don't want a trip to the ER to be their learning lesson.
Any input on the top 3 or 4 things you'd offer relatives if you were in my shoes? I'd rather have s'thing short to print rather than asking them to read some of the books I have.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
The "In memory" thread on here springs to mind.
We used FAAN's "It only takes one bite" video. I've also heard of folks who have had the allergist talk to the grandparents. Sometimes it helps to hear things from a third party.
I would offer this info
1) product produced on shared lines have X percent chance of being contaminated. ( I think the study I saw was 18.5%)
2) products produced in a facility that processes nuts have an X percent chance of being contaminated. ( I think I read 12.5%)
3) PA children can react to peanut protien as small as X ( I think I read 1/200th of a peanut).
4) reactions if not treated appropriately and even then some can result in death
What more do they need to know?
Oh....then I would discuss cleaning peanut from surfaces...and contamination in the home ie...pot holders, cookie sheets, knifes, jelly jars etc.
Good luck. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by Sarahb (edited June 10, 2007).]
You can't "make" them get it. You can present information about it until you're blue in the face, but you can't force them to accept it.
The best you can do is lay out ground rules about what your child is and is not allowed to eat, and food prep rules.
My parents and FIL didn't "get" it until they say my eldest have allergic reactions that caused facial swelling. My MIL still doesn't "get" it and it's been 7 years since he was dx'ed.
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Cheryl, mom to Jason (9 MFA including peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, coconut, sesame, squid)
Joey (7 NKA)
Allison (4 milk allergic, suspect shellfish, avoiding PN/TN for now)
Ryan (1) nka *knock on wood*
I've found myself in the same boat. My DD has reacted to eggs, but not yet to peanuts, so people assume I'm overreacting. (yet I'm sure most people here would consider me far too laid back with my comfort zones)
I've found the AAIA to have some great brochures regarding allergies. (Link: [url="http://www.aaia.ca/en/aboutAnaphylaxis.htm"]http://www.aaia.ca/en/aboutAnaphylaxis.htm[/url] )
I've printed off the appropriate ones and found they were short and to the point - good intro to the seriousness of allergies.
I did print off some from the In Memory thread and didn't mean to include them when I last gave some info out, but I guess that's what made it hit home.
Let us know if anything works!