How would you/do you handle this (non-allergic kid related)?

Court0026

SO, DS has all the health issues so far and DD seems great.  Her blood work (RAST) for allergies was all negative and she has been tolerating dairy for the last month.  Yay, but that is where I want to stop.  DS is very allergic to eggs, peanuts and tree nuts.  We don't have any of those foods in the house.  I am absolutely not going to bring peanuts or tree nuts into the house, but I worry that without exposure to eggs, she could develop an issue?  I know the jury is out on what causes/triggers allergies in many situations, but what would you do?  Give her foods with eggs?  Just baked ones?  If DS is not home?  How will I know for sure if she never eats them, you know?  We don't see our allergist again for a year and the nurses when you call are no help (plus she is not a patient there obviously). 

cotner

We were advised by pedi to avoid the food DD is allergic to with DS (soy and peanut).  She did a RAST test at 2 and he did not have any allergy levels.  I allow him when DD is not around now that we have the results, but before that we just avoided. 

loveemandle2

My DD is allergic to egg, peanuts, and dairy.. Eggs, and peanuts are never in our house.  I know for sure that my DS is allergic to eggs, so he will no longer get that.  However, when we went it for DS RAST test I asked the allergist if he would test for peanuts and tree nuts and he suggested that I bring him somewhere outside of my home and give him very little amounts of peanuts.  He said if he reacted then he would test him, but that it didn't make sense to test him now.  He is also in the camp, that the longer they avoid a certain food, the more likley to develop that allergy (not sure if i explained that right). 

 At first, I thought the man was crazy.. but I think it makes more sense to me now. So, that is what we are going to do with peanuts with DS.  In my mind, if he has any kind of reaction I know that we have the benadryl and epi so if he did have a reaction is not as if we won't know what to do. 

g_belle

I like the idea of taking her somewhere to try them or doing the test when your son isn't at home.  I'd do eggs baked first (maybe in like a brownie or cookie or something?)  before trying them plain.  Like the others have said- you'll have the benedryl and eip handy just in case.  But if her tests have been ok- better to try it in a controlled environment and know for sure than to have an accidental exposure later (like at school or something) and have an issue. 

Court0026

Thanks.  Yeah, that idea does make sense. I just want to avoid them altogether, but realize that is not always the best answer.  She could not be a more different kid than DS was/is regarding eczema, sensitive skin, asthma, illness, etc.which is encouraging along with the testing.  I will not be surprised either way with her, but as you said (g_belle), I am worried about the exposures later and not knowing what to expect. 

magdusia

I'm pregnant with my second one and i struggle with the same questions.. if my second child is not allergic to anything, what will i give her and what will i avoid?  I don't plan on having milk/soy/eggs/peanuts in the house unless my DS outgrows these. no exceptions. So i think my second child won't be exposed to it at home and we will probably try to avoid these allergens outside also, just in case my second child eats eggs or peanuts and then comes home and kisses my son.. he would have a reaction so we'll probably avoid as a family just so there is no special treatment.

it's not fair that my son has FA and i pray every day he outgrows it. But it's a family mission to keep our son safe. 

I don't think by not exposing her for a much longer time will be an issue.. i would from time to time give her something in baked goods, but not scramble eggs or raw nuts.

mamanduchess

If one of your children had special academic needs and attended special classes, would you demand similar interventions for your other child for whom such interventions were not indicated? I grew up in a house of 6 children and 2 parents with 8 sets of allergies--some overlapping, some not. My children have unique sets of allergies. Yes, it was/is a lot of work to put dinner on the table, but we manage(d). We work with individual needs. I know allergic reactions are scary, but possible to let each child enjoy the foods their body allows. Just my take. You need to do what's best for your family.