Interesting article about the connection between the Rh immune globulin and peanut allergies.

Prenatal factors may contribute to the development of peanut allergy. We evaluated the risk of childhood peanut allergy in association with pregnancy exposure to Rh immune globulin, folic acid and ingestion of peanut-containing foods. 

Methods: We conducted a web-based case-control survey using the Anaphylaxis Canada Registry, a pre-existing database of persons with a history of anaphylaxis.

A total of 1300 case children with reported peanut allergy were compared to 113 control children with shellfish allergy. All were evaluated for maternal exposure in pregnancy to Rh immune globulin and folic acid tablet supplements, as well as maternal avoidance of dietary peanut intake in pregnancy. 

Results: Receipt of Rh immune globulin in pregnancy was not associated with a higher risk of peanut allergy (odds ratio [OR] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51 to 1.45), nor was initiation of folic acid tablet supplements before or after conception (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.48).

Complete avoidance of peanut-containing products in pregnancy was associated with a non-significantly lower risk of peanut allergy (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.03). 

Conclusion: The risk of childhood peanut allergy was not modified by the following common maternal exposures in pregnancy: Rh immune globulin, folic acid or peanut-containing foods.Clinical implications: Rh immune globulin, folic acid supplement use and peanut avoidance in pregnancy have yet to be proven to modulate the risk of childhood anaphylaxis to peanuts.Capsule Summary: Identification of prenatal factors that contribute to peanut allergy might allow for prevention of this life-threatening condition. This article explores the role of three such factors.

Author: Karen BinkleyChad LeaverJoel Ray
Credits/Source: Allergy, Asthma &Clinical Immunology 2011, 7:17

A worry for any parent who has a child anaphylactic to nuts!

Peanut-Allergic Teen's Death Reminds Us to Always Be Prepared

Posted by Jacqueline Burt 

on August 23, 2011 at 6:00 AM

• Comments (31)|
• Likes (3)

As the mom of a son with peanut allergies, what happened to Georgia teen Jharell Dillard absolutely terrifies me: The 15-year-old, who was severely allergic to nuts, died after eating a chocolate chip cookie that turned out to have peanuts. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital, but it was no use. Dillard's throat already swelled shut, fatally cutting off his airway.

Tragic. The teen's family said he was always extremely cautious with food, and I believe it: My son is only 5, and he's already suspicious of candy and baked goods he hasn't had before (probably because I've been drilling the tendency to be peanut-paranoid into his head since before he could walk).

And we've been lucky -- my son's only reaction to peanuts so far, knock wood, has been to break out into hives, not to go into anaphylactic shock like Dillard.

I guess it just proves that with food, you never really know what's "safe" -- which is why it's equally as important for teens to carry an EpiPen at all times as it is for mothers with toddlers.

I can understand why a teen would think they were justified in leaving the EpiPen at home. I'm 16 years old, Mom, I think I can figure out if something has peanuts in it or not. I'm not a little kid anymore!

But severe, life-threatening allergic reactions can happen within minutes or even seconds of exposure to an offending substance. By the time paramedics make it to the scene, it's often too late.

That's why it's crucial to have an EpiPen immediately available, no matter how old you are. I know it's easy to get comfortable, to forget that the wolf is always at the door -- I'm guilty of it myself. 

Hopefully Dillard's passing will serve as a reminder to us all of the necessity to always be on guard.

Does your teen have a severe food allergy?

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Nut allergies affect more than sufferers | Comment | London Free Press

Great article written by an adult who has lived with peanut allergies since the 60's when nut allergies were unheard of.

Nut allergies affect more than sufferers | Comment | London Free Press

Epinephrine bill sparked by death of CPS student passes Legislature

I'm glad my daughter has a script from the doctor to use the Epi-Pen. But anyone is allowed to use it. Where would my daughter be if she went to a friends house and went into anaphylactic shock and everyone said no to giving her an Epi-pen shot. That is critical in the first 5 minutes of ingesting a peanut product to save her life!

Epinephrine bill sparked by death of CPS student passes Legislature

This is the first time I've heard of this! How terrible!

This peanut allergy thing never ceases to amaze me.  Now someone had an allergic reaction to blood received from someone who had just eaten peanut butter?  I believe it because I have a daughter anaphylactic to peanuts, yet it's still unbelievable - and scary!!!

Please see post below to read full article.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43070131/ns/health-allergies_and_asthma

A worry for any parent who has a child anaphylactic to nuts!

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Some kids will age out of allergies | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper

This is the first I've heard the a child who is allergic to peanuts can actually grow out of it. What do you think? I think it would be wonderful, but am not holding my breath that this will happen.

Some kids will age out of allergies | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper

Living in a constant state of alert because of peanut allergies

I can totally relate to this article.  If you have a child with a food allergy you have to be on a constant state of alert wherever you go and with whatever you eat.  It's a challenge when you know you have to trust the people you ask about if something contains peanuts, that it doesn't if they say so.  But what if it does?  Then your child is at risk of death.  Not just a stomach ache ~~ but death.

School Allergy Scare Leaves Mom Upset

I'm so thankful my daughter is extremely diligent about checking everything she eats to make sure it doesn't have peanut butter. She tells me the cafeteria makes mistakes all the time.

I volunteer in the school cafeteria and have witnessed the mistakes myself. But this is scary if your child is still too young to check every food item served to them.

School Allergy Scare Leaves Mom Upset

Is there a test to predict serious peanut allergies?

The only sure way to know if your child is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts is to have a blood test.  It will also reveal how severe the allergy is.

Is there a test to predict serious peanut allergies?

Families Today: Food-processing contact can harm allergic kids | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

As a mom of a daughter who is anaphylactic to peanuts, this is always a concern of mine.

Families Today: Food-processing contact can harm allergic kids | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

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This is a really great movie. I highly recommend it!

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Tributes paid to Liverpool region teen killed by nut allergy National News News | Click Liverpool

This is my absolute worst nightmare! My heart goes out to his family. This is so tragic because he did what I do with my 11 year old daughter who is also anaphylactic to peanuts, we eat at the same places and eat the same thing. But there is always a chance of cross contamination or worse - that the restaurant changes their ingredients unbeknownst to the person who is severely allergic to peanuts. Even doing something like changing from Canola oil to Peanut oil when frying foods can put a PA person at risk.

This is just so scary to me and what I live with every day.

Please see story below:

Tributes paid to Liverpool region teen killed by nut allergy National News News | Click Liverpool

Food allergy risk poorly grasped in restaurants - Health - CBC News

I totally agree with this article that restaurant workers are not educated when it comes to food allergies. I had my own experience with this not too long ago at Red Robin. My daughter who is allergic to peanuts inquired about the cheesecake bites and the waitress did not know whether they contained peanuts or not. She went to ask the kitchen. They told her no. Went sent her back a second time because she had forgotten to ask about tree nuts. She came back and said no, again. Apparently the manager was alerted and came to our table with the label from the packaging in which they were shipped. Right there on the label was the warning, "may contain peanuts or tree nuts". She can't take that risk.

As a safety precaution, we rarely venture outside of the restaurants we know as "safe". Otherwise we just eat at home.

Please see article below:

Food allergy risk poorly grasped in restaurants - Health - CBC News

Elizabeth Davies: Food allergies tricky for mom

Elizabeth Davies: Food allergies tricky for mom

Girl in coma after eating peanut cereal

Girl in coma after eating peanut cereal

Cheesecake bites are Red Robin are not safe for a peanut allergic child

We went to Red Robin after church on Sunday and ordered the cheesecake bites after asking the waitress to check with the kitchen to see if they use peanut oil or peanut products.  She came back and told us no.  Then the manager came up and gave us the label from the packaging.  Apparently the cheesecake bites are not made at Red Robin.  They are shipped in.  The label revealed that this dessert is made on equipment that also processes peanuts and tree nuts, so we turned the dessert down to be on the safe side.

I have noticed through the years that some parents let their peanut allergic child eat foods that say "made on equipment that processes peanuts.  I don't take that chance.  It's not worth it.  My daughter's life is too precious to me.

Families Today: Rise in peanut allergies tough nut for scientists | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Families Today: Rise in peanut allergies tough nut for scientists | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

My child dying from accidentally ingesting peanuts is my worst nightmare.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/20/katelyn-carlsons-family-s_n_838110.html?just_reloaded=1

On the last day before winter break at the selective Edison Regional Gifted Center school in Albany Park, 13-year-old Katelyn Carlson died after going into anaphylactic shock in school. The cause: Chinese food ordered as a celebration for her class.

Now, ABC reports, the Carlson family is suing the restaurant that provided the food, the Chinese Inn in Niles, for using peanuts in its preparation despite explicit requests not to.

According to the lawsuit, Chicago Public Schools officials were aware of Katelyn's acute allergy to peanuts. When teacher Jack Matsumoto ordered from Chinese Inn, he asked to be sure that no peanut products would be used in the food's preparation, the Chicago Tribune writes.

But lab testing on the food after the fact revealed that it did indeed conain trace amounts of peanut products, the Associated Press reported Saturday.

The wrongful death suit, which seeks an undisclosed amount above $100,000 in damages, was filed last Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court. 

My daughter who is allergic to peanuts would never agree to this!

I am so thankful that there are children that participate in these type of experimental treatments for Peanut Allergies where you give the child a small amount of peanut flower to get the child's immune system built up to eventually tolerate peanuts and peanut products.   I hope they come up with a cure, but I know my daughter will never take part in the study because she is so afraid of anaphylactic shock.  You can read about the experiment at the link below:

http://www.courant.com/health/connecticut/hc-weir-peanut-allergy-20110130,0,5838599.story

We even have to read the label on candy!!!

This innocent bag of candy that Amanda found while waiting in a Doctors office had on the back in product information that this product may contain peanuts.

Great article on bullying from Foodproductdesign.com

Approximately 35 percent of children aged 5 and older who have food allergies reported to have experienced bullying, teasing or harassment as a result of their allergies, according to a new study from Mount Sinai Medical Center.

According to the findings published in the October issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, of the children who were teased or harassed, 86 percent were reported to have experienced repeated episodes. Classmates were the most common perpetrators; however, more than 20 percent reported harassment or teasing from teachers and other school staff.

You can read the full article here

http://www.foodproductdesign.com/news/2010/09/kids-with-food-allergies-bullied-at-school.aspx

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My Name May be Peanuts, but I Say Nay to PB&J

My latest children's book about peanut and tree-nut allergies is available for purchase.

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002M9LBTG

Please check it out.  It is a must have for any child dealing with food allergies.

Have a food allergy? This article says it might be time to re-check.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/health/11brody.html?_r=1

Disney Channel show mentions Peanut Allergies!

So tonight I was watching a show on the Disney Channel (will let you know what show later as I can't think of it now) and there was a boy in a theatre with a girl who told her that he has peanut allergies.  She asked what happens if he ingests peanuts and he says he gets hives and he throat closes and he can't breathe.  And she says, well I don't like cilantro! Haha.  Yea very funny.  His look was like you did not understand me at all and then the show went on.  Such is life in the world living with peanut allergies.

If you are not allergic to peanuts then chances are you don't understand the severity of it.