A question about nut allergies

[CrazyCatLady]

I think that my baby has developed a food allergy. After some thought and elimination, my first thought is that she's allergic to nuts. She's been drinking almond milk and stealing many bites off of my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. : I did good when she was a baby and introduced everything one at a time, she had no bad reactions then. But thinking about it, I'm not sure I ever really tested for nuts. Anyways, if you are allergic to nuts are you generally allergic to all nuts? Or just one kind of nut (like almonds or peanuts?) Just not sure how to handle this or what to think. Thanks in advanced

[Wolfmeis]

It is a WAY BAD IDEA to introduce nuts, and peanuts in particular to an infant My Advice is to STOP NOW. Do not let her "steal bites" anymore. Peanuts should not be introduced until age 3. I do not want to welcome you to our nut allergy nightmare.

To answer your question; no, the nuts are not cross specific. Peanuts are a legume. However, is you are allergic to peanuts, most nuts are heavily cross contaminated with peanut because they are processed in the same facilities.

[CrazyCatLady]

Man it just seems like every parenting decision that I've made lately has been wrong I thought that I had read that one year of age was ok for nuts. Must have messed it up with something else. I read and study everything and think that I'm doing ok, but lately it seems like I just screw it all up anyways. Sorry to vent. Thanks a bunch for the info, no more nuts for my baby

[circlemama]

Introducing a suspected allergen at an early age could up the chances of an allergy. If you suspect your baby showed any signs of sensitivity to peanuts, taking them out of your diet (if you are nursing) might be a good idea.

[alegna]

I've read that OTHER nuts are okay at a year, but no peanuts until 2 or 3 (or even 4) We have introduced other nut butters here with no ill effects. (almond and cashew)

-Angela

[Wolfmeis]

Originally Posted by Melaya

Man it just seems like every parenting decision that I've made lately has been wrong I thought that I had read that one year of age was ok for nuts. Must have messed it up with something else. I read and study everything and think that I'm doing ok, but lately it seems like I just screw it all up anyways. Sorry to vent. Thanks a bunch for the info, no more nuts for my baby

Melaya I was not : at you. I had an outdated AAP book when my now 5 yo dd was an infant. Well it wasn't outdated then, but it's "sample menu for a 1 yr" old featured peanut butter sandwich. So at 14 mos, I gave her a peanut butter sandwich. I won't go into details, but it wasn't pretty.

I am on a campaign for life now to help other Moms avoid that hell.

I think motherhood is just a difficult process. We can all kiss our sense of absolute certainty goodbye!

[MamaMonica]

There is so much info. out there, often contradictory- don't blame yourself.

I introduced nuts (not peanuts) at about 18 months and one child had no problems, still doesn't. The other developed an allergy and it has been to all nuts and peanuts as well. I introduced tahini as a substitute and now he reacts to sesame seeds. Our only safe havens have been pumkinseeds/pumkinseed butter.

It is hard to know which child will react and how. If I could go back, I would not introduce nuts so early. My ND said it was OK, and so did some material I read. The best thing now is to pull the nuts out and without blame, go forth!

[Missy]

Don't blame yourself!!

It's true that peanuts are a legume, but, in addition to the dangers of x-contamination, they also share many of the same proteins as tree nuts. One of the reasons that peanuts are so allergenic is that they contain hundreds of proteins. That's one reason why some people react to, say, peanuts and an array of treenuts while other react to peanuts and soy and perhaps other legumes. It all depends which proteins are a problem. Cashews, pistachios and poison ivy all x-react because they share a common protein. Hazelnuts can x-react with latex. Almond is frequently one of the safer nuts because it's really not a nut and on and on...It's best to wait until at least age 3 to introduce nuts and peanuts, but very few people follow that...don't worry about it! Just remove them from her diet now and wait.

[Wolfmeis]

Originally Posted by Missy

One of the reasons that peanuts are so allergenic is that they contain hundreds of proteins. That's one reason why some people react to, say, peanuts and an array of treenuts while other react to peanuts and soy and perhaps other legumes. It all depends which proteins are a problem.

Girlfriend! You taught me something today! And I am a student of this damned subject to the core!

Graham reacts to peanut, walnut and pecan

Eats soy and other legums like a fiend

And is friends with almond