Well, this is not the post I expected to write this week. We’ll start here:
Nutritionist, food-savvy, and parent friends, I need your help!
Because, alas, it appears that Lucy is allergic to peanuts. (And eggs. But I’m much more worried about the peanuts.)
We’ve fed her peanut butter several times, and thought we were in the clear. I was relieved, because I love peanut butter. Like, love it. Like, ate it constantly during my pregnancy and breastfeeding, always have it on hand, believe it is both a healthy snack and a dessert, eat it on a spoon in a pinch kind of love. It seems we will not be so lucky.
Yesterday, while eating a peanut butter sandwich, Lucy developed a small rash on her face, and it spread to her neck, arms, and belly. It wasn’t that bad. It didn’t look like hives, and disappeared quickly, so we weren’t sure how concerned to be. A call to the nurse line at our pediatrician’s office sent us to the emergency room, which felt excessive. And it was, because a later, follow-up call from our pediatrician – when we were most of the way to the hospital – confirmed that while this looks like an allergy, we could just monitor for worse symptoms. There were none. She is fine.
Thank goodness.
We cleaned EVERYTHING. And we’ve been advised to get rid of any peanut products in the house for now. And I’m getting a new high chair, because it is impossible to clear all the peanut butter off of the one we have. (Lucy is a leisurely, messy eater. It’s beautiful to watch.)
And now, until we have our next appointment and can hopefully get a referral to an allergist to confirm what’s going on, we feel like we’re operating in the dark. I’m not too worried about the egg allergy. It’s apparently quite common in very young children and in many children will go away when they’re older. But peanuts? I’ve heard that one’s scary. Neither Graham nor I have any major allergies, and aside from checking food labels and being careful, I have no idea what to do here.
So, friends, do you have experience with peanut (and egg) allergies? How do you handle it? Know of any great peanut butter or egg alternatives? Have favorite recipes that use neither? (Seriously, cookies! I have to be able to make her cookies!) Have any good advice for how to approach this situation?
What I’m saying is: Tell. Me. Everything.
And also, thank you! I do, in fact, get by with a little help from my friends. And I’m so grateful!
A Virginia Writer's Diary 
Any chance there is something other than just peanuts in the PB? An oil of some sort. Thank heavens it was not an anaphlactic reaction.
LikeLiked by 4 people
It’s possible it could be something else. There was soy (of all things!) in the bread, so it could be that. We’ve got an allergist appointment tomorrow, so we’ll see what we find out. No matter what it is, it’ll be good to know.
LikeLike
So sorry to hear this. Still hoping for you there was another source. We have a gluten allergy, which doesn’t help I know. But, we tend to buy sunflower seed butter, which is delicious and can be substituted safely for peanuts.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’d heard that before, and we bought some this week. Haven’t tried it yet, though. I’ve got a friend who uses it and says it’s better than peanut butter. We shall see!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We find it very delicious. Best of luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no, that’s terrible. A study came out a year or two ago discussing this issue. Check with your doctor for a referral to a specialist who can examine her, rule out other factors, and determine if she might be a candidate for a treatment where a doctor gradually introduces small amounts of peanut to build tolerance over time. Here’s a good website for additional information. The last paragraph discuses this option. https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/peanut-allergy. Keep everything clean and away from peanuts until she can be examined by the specialist.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We’ve got an allergist appointment tomorrow. I’m interested and eager to hear what they’ve got to say! There’s so much info out there, it’s almost overwhelming.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s definitely overwhelming both the amount of information and the situation. Hopefully, the allergist will give you some good news, and everything will be okay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’m excited and anxious for it. Fingers crossed for a good appointment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. 🙏🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am allergic to eggs and it’s not always easy to manage but I’ve learned to READ every label and ask lots of questions (which no doubt is annoying) at restaurants. I agree with you that the peanut allergy is more concerning and highly recommend finding a good allergist who will guide you and your family through with wisdom. There’s so much misinformation regarding (well, everything) food allergies out there. Best of luck …. sometimes nut allergies can be temporary in children and they do outgrow it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this! I’ve been reading ALL the labels. And we’ve got an allergist appointment tomorrow. It’s a while new world, but I know it’s going to be fine. Hopefully she does outgrow it!
LikeLike