Peanut Allergy Question

JenniferTCU

Hi all. I have a 20 month old and really know nothing about food allergies. He's a really picky eater so he pretty much eats the same things each day. At school, he will sometimes eat peanut butter sandwich crackers and not had a reaction (it's a peanut free school but I think his teacher has given them to him on occasion. I am sure some of you will freak about that and I totally understand- as it didn't make me happy either- but it's not the point of the post ).

ANYWAY, so he's obviously had exposure to PB and didn't have any problems. A month ago, I gave him a large pretzel rod that was dipped in PB. He stuck it in his mouth (because he loves pretzels) and 20 minutes later, his face and eyes were red and puffy. I gave him Benadryl and the redness went away pretty quickly.

I called the pediatrician's office and they said we would talk about it at his 2 year appt.

So, my question is - are there varying levels of PB allergies? Could it be that the crackers didn't affect him but that a big glob would? Obviously I am staying away from PB, just trying to make sense of this.

Thanks so much for your help!

Miller238

JenniferTCU:

So, my question is - are there varying levels of PB allergies? Could it be that the crackers didn't affect him but that a big glob would? Obviously I am staying away from PB, just trying to make sense of this.

Thanks so much for your help!

Yes, there are varying levels of peanut allergies.  Some kids can test positive, but only have reactions when they ingest themselves, while others can react to the mere dust in the air.  Also, some reactions can be mild (a little rash), or severe (anaphylaxis).

I would think that no matter the size of the exposure in this case (i.e. on a cracker or a glob) would affect him the same.  Once the protein is there, it will cause a reaction.

I would make an appointment with an allergist ASAP and avoid all peanuts until you have some answers.  GL!

magdusia

Exactly what miller said..

Also, allergic reactions can happen on a second exposure. if this was his second time having PB than yes, most likely he's allergic to it.  If he has had it many times than it maybe the brand or the amount of it.  Definitely avoid it.

And just b/c i can't leave this alone -its very disappointing that your school did this.  Especially that it is a peanut free school --there should be ABSOLUTELY no peanuts in the school.  it only takes a little crumb of a peanut to set off a deadly reaction.  I understand if a kid brings it in accidentally, but for a teacher to do it? very disappointing.  If that happens in my school and it's a nut free school.. i will raise hell and someone will be fired.  

What worries me more is that since it's suppose to be a peanut free school, they probably don't wash their hands as often b/c it is suppose to be safe..  so the one kid that is allergic to nuts may come in contact with your son (or one of the teachers).  BUT if Nuts are allowed in a school and a kid with a nut allergy goes there, than that classroom has to take extra measures with washing hands. 

Also, if the teachers give your child PB, he's probably not the only one. What if someone has a reaction? they are really playing with fire. 

aniceucchik

Interesting. We have never had a nut exposure-it just showed up on his test- but I assume my Jacobs reaction would be similar to his dairy reaction (hives within seconds) since the numbers were close together. Maybe your guy had to have several exposures to develop the allergy? I have heard quite often that the second+ exposure is the one that produces the effects.

Also interesting about the PB free school having the crackers. That just doesnt make any sense. I would mention it to someone because you never know when an ANA kid is around and they could touch something that has been exposed and there you go-disaster.

TulipsAndChampagne

Reaction severity can also increase with each exposure, so I would be very cautious with additional exposures.

mariahcohen

Hi Jen!  I see you on Paretning 35+  and back in the day on Preg after 35! 

There are varying reactions to peanut butter!  My DS got red and his face swelled so badly his left eye wouldn't open!  SCARY fun day at the ER.  That was the day before his 1st birthday...all the bday pics look like he was in  a bar fight!    We are lucky it was just a skin reaction.

I also know of a girl who is allergic to the preservatives in mass market peanut butter but not peanut butter she makes herself.    Crazy!

Also the whole second time exposure thing is pretty common...even though it was DS's first time. 

Good luck. 

We are just learning to live without PB & J! 

 

JenniferTCU

Thank you all so much. (((Hi Mariah!!!)

As I mentioned, it is a PB free school. One of the teachers has eaten PB crackers (yep, prohibited) and given them to Jace. Never fear- that situation has been rectified

Thank you all again for your help!

cmh06

My DD ate peanut butter off and on for about 8 weeks without a reaction, then one day she broke out in hives all around her face and anywhere the peanut butter touched her skin.  We took her to an allergist and she tested positive for peanut allergy.  She's ingestion as well as touch.