How to Cope With a Peanut Allergic Child

Managing a peanut allergy takes a great deal of planning. Finding out everything you can about the allergy will help you and your child feel more comfortable living with it. In the beginning, life with the allergy can be very different, and you may find yourself uncomfortable and fearful. Over time, you will become accustomed to the necessary precautions and it will become second nature.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Create a Safe Home

1. Go through cabinets and throw away anything that contains even trace amounts of peanut. Most products are required to have an allergy statement. Throw out any packages that do not have an allergy statement or have been opened.
2. Check ingredients in non-food items such as play dough, bird feeders, stuffed toys and pet food which often contain peanut ingredients. Go through each room in the house and make sure there are no traces of peanut in your home. Just like baby proofing, once this is done, it is not as difficult to maintain.
3. Read labels on anything new from the grocery store. Keep in mind that medications, including some brands of children's vitamins, toiletries and pet products need to be checked as well. Get in the habit of thinking about each new item you bring into the home.
4. Keep your home safe by making sure guests know about your child's allergy. Explain the severity and the precautions you need them to take when visiting. You will likely feel uncomfortable confronting guests but anyone who truly cares about your child will understand.

Safety in the Care of Others

5. Interview a babysitter to make sure you feel comfortable with their level of responsibility and to make sure they feel comfortable with the extra care that must be taken with your child. Have a packet available with emergency instructions, medication, information for calling the rescue squad and medical release forms. Include any rules that would apply to other guests.
6. Schedule a meeting with teachers, camp counselors or other people that will be with your children when you are not around. Make sure there is ample time to discuss the allergy and make sure you both feel comfortable with the information. Share the pertinent information from Steps 1 and 3.
7. Show family and friends how to use the epinephrine shot and to read an allergy statement. Have a packet made up for them in case of emergency. Include a good book, a list of safe restaurants, as well as simple meal and snack ideas. Include all medications, doctor numbers and everything included in the babysitter packet.
8. Stay with your child and supervise closely during play dates when your child is young. Be as involved as possible with extra curricular activities.
9. Inform your dentist, pediatrician and hospital staff of your child's allergy. Some medications contain peanut products or are on shared equipment with peanut.

Away From Home

10. Bring the medicine pack and safe food. Stores pass out free samples, banks hand out candy, schools have cookies and juice out during enrollment and book stores have snacks during story time. You never know when a situation will arise that can put your child at risk.
11. Inform others about the allergy when you are in their home. Let the host know that you will not be able to attend if bowls of nuts or peanut butter will be served. Ask the host to keep food separate from play and encourage the children to wash hands and face after eating if possible.
12. Invest in buttons or clothing that tells others what your child is allergic to before he is old enough to do so. It keeps people from offering your child food and it is an added security measure.
13. Check for obvious residue and wipe the area clean. Ball games, airplanes, rodeos, restaurants, carnivals and the circus are all places you will want to avoid or take extreme precaution with. You will need to call ahead and make special arrangement as well as be diligent in your safety measures.

Teaching Your Child About the Allergy

14. Read books to your children that explain the allergy so she has a basic knowledge of it. Make sure your child knows to tell an adult if she feels funny after eating, doesn't eat or touch food that mommy or daddy has not approved, always washes up before eating and spits out anything that is questionable.
15. Involve your child when preventing a reaction. Read allergy statements on food at the store and say things like "good, no peanut in this one" or "this one has peanut. Let's look at another brand." Talk to your child about the reasons for everything you are doing to prepare.
16. Role play handling difficult situations. Talk to your child about other types of food allergies and how he can be sensitive to friends in this situation. Not only are you letting him know others are in the same situation, but you are helping him learn compassion.
17. Join a support group. It is a great resource for kids to learn more about their allergy and connect with others around them who are dealing with peanut allergies as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Soy butter made with honey and sunflower butter has a taste and consistency similar to peanut butter. Siblings who are used to peanut butter for sandwiches and snacks can easily learn to eat and enjoy this product.
• Make sure you know how to use an injection of epinephrine and know all the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Your allergist should give you a prescription and an action plan.