Jason is PA and TNA, but does not react to shea. He is allergic to coconut, but we tested that separately.
Since he doesn't react to shea, I'm not going to mess with a good thing.
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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*

PA & TN & practically everything else under the sun...
I was in the ER last night and they started writing down all of my other allergies on my wristbands...I ended up with 3 wristbands, and not even a full list of allergies!

I have been PA my whole life and as a child with the PA being so bad they would not do skin test for other nuts just incase I had a reaction so was told to avoid all nuts, which I have done for my whole 37yrs.
Went to the allergist a few weeks ago (as I hadn't been for 25 years (yes 25 years) to find out exactly what nuts I was allergic to.
Found out I'm allergic to Walnuts, Hazlenuts and pecans (and peanuts of course which I already knew).
The allergist told me that regardless of the fact that I am not allergic to almond, cashew, brazil, macadamia that I have to avoid all nuts as they are frequently processed on the same machinery and may have been mixed with other nuts.
Now that I know that I am not allergic to almonds, cashews, brazil and macadamias it is a relief that if I accidently consume them I won't have a reaction, but I am too scared to start eating them for fear of contamination from other nuts, so I will just continue to avoid all nuts.
I have never thought of Shea though, I don't know if I have ever been exposed to that, thanks for mentioning it. Shows that you really can learn something every day. I thought I was pretty good at avoiding nuts as I haven't had a reaction in so many years and have been avoiding them for 37yrs but I have learnt so much since finding this board a few weeks ago.
Thanks everyone
Moni
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LIVING WITH PEANUT ALLERGY FOR 30+ YEARS

peanut, all tree nuts, since birth
[This message has been edited by giester2 (edited July 16, 2007).]

I was PA for a few years before becoming TNA. I found out by getting tested then later came the cross contamination reaction from Pecans and another reaction from trusting someone else. They told me that they asked about the brownie and that it had no nuts, as soon as I took a bite I didn't even actually have it in my mouth yet the back of my throat started to itch like something I never felt before. I got rid of it so fast and took Benadryl and I was fine. Thankfully I didn't swallow any bit of it. I had eaten peacans before getting tested and no problems. I avoided tree nuts after testing positive to them and one day I had a piece of left over homemade "safe" apple pie. My DH got it for him and I from my MIL downstairs. (Never eat other people's leftovers!!) I had a sore throat and it felt swollen, I thought I was getting sick. I took an antihistamine anyway and the whole night I was uncomfortable. The next day I realized that the cake had been put in the same dish as the peacan pie to safe space in the fridge. It all made sense. I don't understand why DH or if anyone else that may have been there when he went to get the pie to bring it up never mentioned or thought about the cross contamination. They are more careful now and so am I.
I don't eat dessert anywhere, no restaurants or catering halls. Not even if they tell me it's safe. I get coffee sometimes and I'm fine.
[This message has been edited by momll70 (edited July 16, 2007).]

i will not touch anything that says may contain or processed on labels!! its too risky, not only for my wellbeing but for my bank account after the ER fee.