what's with peanut allergies??

[2kids]

A couple of months ago, we found out that my dd has a pretty severe peanut allergy. This baffles me. Neither my husband nor I have any allergies. She was exclusively breastfed for 14 months, eats organic, and is overall very healthy. I'm just starting to research this whole peanut allergy business. The allergist says that there is a very small chance she'll outgrow it.

Does anyone have any info for me? Could this be caused by environmental issues?

[Chinese Pistache]

There are a handful of theories about how allergies develop. Personally, I think gut health is at the core; mom's gut health and the quality of the gut bacteria she passes (or doesn't pass) to her baby during birth, and then, how that bacteria develops (through breastfeeding) or is hindered (through ffing, antibiotics, yeast infections, etc.). Here's an interesting (albeit somewhat technical) article was posted here a little while back: http://www.americanscientist.org/tem...rint=yes#54484

[4Blessings]

You might want to check out The Peanut Allergy Answer Book by Dr. Michael Young. In addition, I would recommend http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org

Yes, the chances of outgrowing a peanut allergy are small. But it can happen.

Do you or your DH have environmental, drug or pet allergies? Asthma? Eczema? Our children don't inherit specific allergies from their parents but do inherit allergic tendencies.

I hope you have an emergency action plan and epi-pen jr.s for your dd. A MedicAlert bracelet is a good idea too.

Good Luck!

[2kids]

My husband does have some pet allergies and seasonal allergies. I never thought about it that way. I kept thinking that no one we know has food allergies. We do have an epi pen and hope never to have to use it. Our whole life has made a major adjustment with this allergy.

[WC_hapamama]

Originally Posted by 2kids

My husband does have some pet allergies and seasonal allergies. I never thought about it that way. I kept thinking that no one we know has food allergies. We do have an epi pen and hope never to have to use it. Our whole life has made a major adjustment with this allergy.

Welcome to my life. My 10 year old has multiple life-threatening food allergies that were diagnosed when he was 3. We've been living with it for 7 years. He's outgrown a few, but is still allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, coconut, shellfish and squid.

I know it seems overwhelming now, but you'll get used to it.

[nick&jonmom]

My son also has several severe and life threatening food allergies: peanuts, all tree nuts (even coconut), poppy/sesame/sunflower seeds, dairy, eggs, soy, wheat and that is, seriously, just to name a few. He also suffers from asthma. Niether myself nor my husband has food allergies, however, I have suffered from seasonal allergies ever since my pregnancy with him 7 years ago (can't figure that one out). I've also learned that we just pass on the allergic tendencies, not the specific allergy. If there is anyone on either side of the family that even has asthma, that could be the pattern right there. Asthma is literally an allergic reaction in the lungs, or so I've been told by Dr.'s. My father was allergic to peanuts as a young child and outgrew it completely, however, he did develop a severe allergy to penicillin as an adult. I also know of two other boys who were allergic to peanuts and have outgrown it as well, so I think there is hope. Is your child allergic to anything else besides peanuts? I know how overwhelming it is to find out about the seriousness of the allergies. If it is any consellation, my son attends public school where there are allergens floating around like crazy, ie the cafeteria, and even in that situation has not had a reaction to anything besides a little excema here and there. I take precautions of course and expect the school to as well, but so far so good. Good luck to you and your family!

Mama to ds (5-23-01) and little ds (12-21-05) :