by Mrw » Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:42 am
For families that deal with these types of extreme allergies, managing means reading the packages for everything they buy and skipping any product that is labeled with a line stating it was made in a facility that also processes peanuts.
Managing means not going to some restaurants because they have peanuts on the table to munch on while you wait.
It means never even thinking of getting Thai food and likely skipping Chinese too.
It means asking everytime you might order food out.
So no, it doesn't mean the troop bans jelly beans. But you do leave the obvious no-nos at home.
Things I learned from our allergist when my son was tested for allergies at age two:
Peanut allergies are one of the most common food allergies among children. No one really knows why they are becoming so much more prevalent in the past 10-20 years. Many food allergies are mild and /or are grown out of over time. Peanut allergies tend to get worse over time.
There has been research that suggests that people should not expose their children to foods such as peanuts that are common allergins until they are 3-4 years old and they are less likely to become allergic.
Food allergies tend to run in families - if the parent is allergic to some sort of food, the child is more likely to have a food allergy than the other kids. Interestingly, it is not always the same food that prompts a reaction.
For example: my husband is allergic to fish and shellfish except, for some odd reason , tuna. He also reaacts badly to brazil nuts and black-eyed peas. My older son had developed as sensitivity to seafood as well as he hit about 19-20 years old. My younger son is allergic to peanuts. The allergist had recommended that when they have kids, they avoid feeding the babies peanuts, fish, nuts, and eggs until they are 3-4 years old.
Mother of two Eagles and troop Advancement Chair
