A new study came out recently on PA that contradicts much of what other studies have said about the allergy. I haven't blogged about it yet because medical studies that contradict each other frustrate me. Yet, I thought this new study was worth a mention, nonetheless.
The new study states that exposure to a peanut protein early in life could actually prevent the development of an allergy to peanuts. To be honest, I just don't buy it. In fact, one of the things that I have felt most guilty about since Tyler's diagnosis is the fact that he was exposed at nine months. Still, he has the allergy.
His exposure at nine months was the result of a young cousin that gave him a small peanut. We were at McDonald's and his cousin was trying to share the peanut pack he had for his McDonald's sundae. I was already ultra paranoid about what Tyler ate because he had severe eczema that I was convinced was tied to a food allergy (his pediatrician wasn't so convinced).
When I realized his cousin was handing Tyler food, I looked to see it was peanuts! I also noticed Tyler's jaw was moving so I knew he was eating it. I did not realize how terrible peanut allergy could be so I wasn't overly alarmed. I will admit my first instinct was to pry his mouth open and get it out. But, since family was all around, I knew I would look silly.
I can't tell you how many times I have replayed that moment in my mind and wished I had made a different choice. Thankfully, I no longer cry over it but guilt abounds, nonetheless.
This new study actually helps ease my guilt a little bit but I am not convinced the study is correct. In my own mind, I have just determined that it was God's will that Tyler have this allergy. My job, as his mom, is to protect him and help protect others like him.
The article (which you can read here) said that a new study will come out soon that states the biggest risk for a peanut allergy comes as a result of mothers consuming peanuts during pregnancy. Oh great, any guilt that the first study eased just came back...
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3 comments:
I have two sons - ages 15 months and almost 4 yrs. Both have peanut allergies. My first son was diagnosed with an egg allergy at the age of 10 months at which time, the allergy specialist suggested that although he was testing as not having any trace of a peanut allergy, to hold off on giving him anything with peanuts until he was 3 yrs old. I was very diligent about this and he never had anything with nuts. I did still have peanut butter in the house because there was no allergy to worry about. One day when I was cleaning up in the kitchen, I was throwing away a brand of peanut butter that we didn't like and he got his hand down the bag of garbage and got a bit on his hand. I, thinking I was being over diligent, brought him into the bathroom and washed his hand (twice) and dried it. Very quickly, I noticed a huge 'blister' coming out on his hand. I immediately gave him benadryl (which we had because of his egg allergy) and it went down within 10 min. Anyway, I am just sharing to let you know that there is a very good chance that the early exposure to peanuts very likely had NOTHING to do with your child’s allergy. I am sure any subsequent children were protected a little more fiercely with respect to possible allergens. I was - but when I had him tested at a year - low and behold.... still egg & peanut allergies :( Some things, unfortunately, are outwith our control and we can only do our best to be the best parents we can be with whatever comes our way. You're doing a great job - and your sharing is very helpful to everyone who reads your blog. I guess guilt is really a big part of being a parent anyway, huh? Allergies or not! :)
Thank you.
I also disagree that early exposure could prevent the allergy. When my son was about 2 months old, I fixed my daughter a peanut butter sandwich. I wiped my hands, but still, unknowingly, had some peanut butter on my hand. Then I sat down to breastfeed my son. I noticed him smacking his lips and realized he must have gotten some peanut butter in his mouth. It was very soon after this, that he started breaking out with eczema. I have always thought I caused him to have have eczema and peanut allergy because of the early (yet unintentional) exposure to peanuts.
Caron
My son was diagnosed with a peanut allergy at 18 months. My older daughter was having a peanut butter sandwich for lunch and offered him a drink of her water. Right away he broke out in hives. This wasn't truly his first exposure because I often ate peanut butter and peanut-comtaining foods while pregnant and breastfeeding. I have four children and the other three do not have a peanut allergy. It is a very scary thing to live with and my heart goes out to every child afflicted with food allergies. May God bless you all and your families.
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