Exposure to Peanuts May Build Tolerance to Allergy

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My son is 7 and I discovered the peanut allergy after giving him bites of Reese's Pieces at the age of 1. I believe there is a strong connection between those children that had been breast fed and have the allergy. My other child was not breast fed and has no food allergies. I wish more information on this was in the media. I would welcome any parents to write me to form a support group. Those that do not walk in our shoes are clueless as to what we go through, apparently.

Tammy of KY 3:44PM July 15, 2009

This doesn't surprise me at all. I used to be allergic to most fruits, some vegetables, and milk. As a baby my parents had me down to a diet of rice and lentils while they were trying to figure out what I was allergic to. They gave up their vegetarian diet because I was allergic to so many things. But growing up I kept eating things that I had reactions to and eventually all my allergies went away. I even went through a period where I was allergic to bee stings, that also went away. I should probably qualify this by saying that my food allergies only gave me pain in my legs at night although the bee stings made me swell up and turn red.

Ian of MT 5:18PM March 16, 2009

True, peanuts are not tree nuts. There is, however, a strong correlation between the two allergies. My son has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts and is not supposed to eat tree nuts either. As for the person who said dying from a peanut allergy happens about as much as lightning striking. I don't send my child out in electrical storms and the difference here is that exposure to peanuts is sure to close my child's airway and within moments end his life. Minimize if you like, criticize if you like, but I expect you'd feel differently if you had a child threatened by such an allergy. Peanuts are everywhere! As another writer said, you have no idea until you're the one standing in the grocery store aisle trying to find a snack or treat that won't send your child into anaphylaxis. I'm glad you have the liberty to be ignorant. Keep in mind, though, that food allergies can strike at any age and you may find yourself having to become better informed. Let's hope not. Incidentally, my child is in the peanut allergy study at Duke University with Dr. Burkes and his staff. Thanks to these incredibly dedicated doctors and nurses we have hope now that we may be able to manage my son's allergy without such severe potential effects. Oh, and one more comment to the person who gave advice on how to introduce nuts. That is not true. Experts agree that children should not be introduced to peanuts until age three. This is because most children can tell you what is happening to them. The crucial thing with peanut reactions is the time factor. The reaction often begins with tingling or pain in the mouth. A one-year-old cannot describe this and by the time you figure out what is happening, it could be too late. My son communicated what was happening to him and that is how I knew to take him to the emergency room. It is not known why peanut allergies happen, there are theories, but none have been proven.

Carol Bulmer of GA 9:24AM March 16, 2009

I wish each of these articles would warn people not to try to do this themselves.

M T of WA 4:10PM March 15, 2009

Jon,
There is one major difference. You can avoid lightening strikes by staying indoors during a storm. Unless you have a child with peanut allergies, you don't understand how many things are made in the same place as peanuts. It is almost impossible to fly in an airplane, and most children are segregated in school, making them feel like outcasts. Try telling a child who don't understand why he has to be different that it is overhyped.

Jody of TN 3:41PM March 15, 2009

I was taught that peanuts should not be introduced until after 12 months. I think some parents expose too soon and may be not tolerated by some kids.
I say, Go Slow- introduce nuts a little at a time after 12 months in organic spread form-home made preferred so you can control ingredients.

silvercrone of GA 3:31PM March 15, 2009

"Nearly half of the 150 deaths caused by food allergies each year are attributed to peanut allergies."
"According to the U.S. National Weather Service, 73 people die from lightning strikes each year and hundreds more suffer life-debilitating injuries."
source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0522_030522_lightning.html
So, about as many people die by being struck by lightning as to peanut allergies. Where are the breathless articles on the dangers of lightning strikes?
I mean, seriously...

Jon of AZ 2:12PM March 15, 2009

"About four million American have allergies to foods, and tree nut allergies, including peanut allergies, are the most common."
Surely you should have known that peanuts are not tree nuts, and that peanut allergies are distinct from tree nut allergies...

of 1:01PM March 15, 2009