Egg and nut allergy

hI there!
My DD has had an egg allergy that we've been aware of since she was 11 months, she is now 2.5yrs. Yesterday we went back for more testing and discovered she is also allergic to tree nuts. I am really stressing, as we've been told that although the test can't tell you if she's anapyhlactic, there's a chance she could be. We have to avoid nuts at all costs. I am wanting to speak with someone who's been through this, I have so many questions. At the time I had the Dr piling notes and leaflets on me and I couldnt think straight.
Any advice is greatly welcome!
xoxo

Hi Webbmeg! I will tell you a bit more tomorrow as we are going to get DD allergy tested at the Royal Children's after a peanut episode the other weekend. She had never had a reaction before and she came out in hives all over her body. She had a mild egg intolerance as well.

We had our consultation today and the results are as we expected - mild raw egg intolerance and allergic to peanuts.

We went to the desk and checked in. They weighed her and after a short wait we were in discussing each of the food intolerance/allergy incidents we had had (not many) and how we dealt with them. She also asked for history of asthma, allergies etc in all three of us, and our families.

They then did the skin tests. DD had some lines drawn on her back, and then was gently scratched with the two allergens we were testing for (egg and peanuts) as well as a histamine control (so they can compare the reactions of the other allergens with this one).

The results only took 10 minutes, and are done by measuring the size of the small welt that comes up. The size of the welt was an indication of how allergic she is so the egg welt was much smaller than the peanut welt. The peanut welt was only slightly smaller than the histamine control.

For egg, we just continue as we are. She's fine if it's cooked in something (cake etc), but she's likely to have a reaction if it's raw (soft-boiled eggs, choc mousse, pavlova, pasta carbonara etc). Her reaction isn't life-threatening, just uncomfortable and fingers crossed, she'll grow out of it.

For peanuts, the reaction was more severe. So, again, avoid peanuts in things. We will, however, be telling everyone that she is allergic to both peanuts and egg, so that we can control if and when she does have these.

We've got an action plan poster to give to childcare which they'll put up. We normally would not have been given an EpiPen, however we are going away soon so they thought it best to give us a script, as we may be away from doctors/hospital/etc. So that makes us feel more comfortable. We have the EpiPen, even though, in all likelihood, we'll never need it.

Hi Nai,
Thanks for the update, sorry to hear there's a peanut allergy. We are doing the same as you, avoiding egg and nut. I am currently trying to talk to my Dr (who is waiting results from the allergy clinic) as I'd like to have an epipen. I just want to know that if she ever comes into contact with something that she is anaphylactic too, Im not going to sit there going "I knew she was allergic, but wasnt' allowed the pen". Hopefully I'll get it.
What were her measurements for the egg and the peanuts? We were 8mm for egg and 4mm for the nuts.
Apparently though, after loads of research, I am finding that it doesn't mean alot..and they can be more or less allergic than the results say....why bother....
Anyway, we have been de-nutting the house and Im learning alot. It means no ice cream, lollies or chocolate, (which is only a prob around bday parties etc)but I have found out that aero bars are nut free and there is also an awesome website where I've ordered some egg/nut/peanut free things. I can give it to you if you'd like.
Talk soon ox

Hello your story sounds very similar to mine! My DD has always had an egg sensitivity from about 13 months so we have always avoided it. 2 weeks ago while at a friends house she got into some raw cake mix and had a severe reaction(anaphylactic). We went to the Dr's and had a blood test done for common allergies- peanuts, milk, soy, wheat and eggs and she too is allergic to peanuts as well as egg whites. Her levels for both on a scale of 1-5 where 3. My Dr says her levels are moderate but these should be avoided at all costs just incase. He also said her reaction appeared worse than what they'd expect from her level when she was tested iykwim. I am seeing a paediatric allergist on the 26th and cant wait as i have some other concerns. Even last night at dinner she came out in hives and i have no idea what it was from as there where def no eggs or nuts in the meal. My DD is also asthmatic :redface: I will be asking for an epi pen too as after her reaction 2 weeks ago i am petrified it will happen again. I am having trouble already getting through to family not to feed her anything without my permission.

DD was the opposite to yours Webbmeg, her histamine control was about 8x6mm and her peanut scratch was 7x5mm and her egg was 4x3mm. From that and her previous reactions they deducted that she was more allergic to peanut than egg. She is ok with cooked egg but not raw egg so it must be the proteins in the egg white that break down during cooking that are the issue for her.

Peanuts are more of a problem as her reaction was more severe and her scratch test was closer to her histamine scratch. So no peanuts at all. She doesn't have any other nut allergies though strangely enough. She has to have a re-test every 12 months to see if her reaction has changed.

We were only given an EpiPen as we are going to Thailand for 2 weeks and will be away from hospitals. They said in cases like ours we would only be prescribed one if she had a severe reaction or we were in a remote area. If they can't tell you if how bad her reaction would be, you don't want to discover by accident - I would push to have one just in case!

Hoody that must have been very scary. Im glad she's ok. This is the problem, other people (and I know you didn't know she had an allergy at the time), but other people just aren't going to be as careful.
Nai you mentioned it's a bit of a challenge even now getting the fam to co-operate, and I think this is our biggest problem (that is, parents of children with severe allergies), we are the only ones who are going to look after them properly.
I have a friend who insists her child eats nuts (pistachio's) all the time, and I am really worried that she will let him eat them just before they see us.
So I think my big challenge is going to be warning people before we eat with them and just making sure no one offers her things when Im not looking!
Im booked into my GP tomorrow to try to get this damn epipen!!
Hope your little one's grow out of their allergies soon! I just never expected my child would have allergies like this, bit of a shock isn't it! xoxoxoxo

I know what you mean Webbmeg - I never expected a child of mine would have allergies to food :( It took me by surprise even though I have grass and pollen allergies. There are no real food allergies in our families.

We have been teaching DD to say "I can't eat nuts, they make me very very sick". We also saw some wrist bands, badges and t-shirts that say "no nuts/eggs" etc on them which we might also get. They are on the precious children website (just google it).

I have told all family that they cannot have any peanut products in the house if they are going to be looking after her. I will check fridges and pantries if needs be and if I find anything in there then she isn't staying.

I hope you can get the EpiPen - it will be one less thing you have to worry about!

Thanks Nai!
Im off to the Doc's today.
My inlaws seem to have been pretty good about not having anything around when she's there. Im not going over there as often though, as I don't want her anywhere that Im not totally in control of. Although we went there for lunch on sunday for DH's bday,and I said I'd do nibblies (that's usually when they have nuts) and I got dips with no nuts (do you know how many dips have cashews in them........), and we also made the crunch salad without pine nuts or almonds (even though at this point no pine nut allergy). So at least they have listened so far.
Like the idea about the badges and tshirts etc, I will look into buying some!
Talk soon !
Love
Megan xo

Woohoo, I got the script for epipen as well as a referral to a different Dr. Who did you see Nai? Im booked in with a Dr Bryn someone. From Childrens hospital. Im in at end of July.
Gotta run, kids going crazy
love
megan xo

I can't remember who I saw but she was lovely.

We got a t-shirt, badge and wrist band from the precious children website and they arrived within 2 days. They are really good. We have got DD saying "I can't eat peanuts, they make me sick" over and over every day so hopefully it will sink in.

Just a quick update.

We took DD1 to see the Paed Allergist this morning and it went very well. He took one look at the RAST test my Gp had already done and said i would definately need to carry an Epi pen around at all times. He gave me a script for 2 so i picked them up this afternoon. He has re-iterated the fact that my DD is not to have ANY egg or peanuts in her diet whatsoever from now on. He is also sending us for more testing on things like shell fish, stone fruits and dust mites etc as we are certain she has more than these two allergies.

He has also suggested that we invest in a Medic Alert bracelet for her to wear at all times incase she has a reaction when i am not around. He also said this can often make other family members and friends realise how serious allergies can be. I will also look into the precious children website too.

How old are your children with allergies? My DD turned 2 in March so although she is speaking i think it will be a while before i can get her to say that eggs and nuts make her sick. I have already started saying it to her though and she does try to parrot me i jsut dont think she understands what it all means iykwim.

WTG megan getting the Epi pen must be a relief for you :D

Take care ladies.

Ooh another Q- Do you still allow eggs in your house etc? So far i am not and DH thinks i am been over the top as its not like she will help herself but for me i think its safer. What do you think?

Hoody, Mia is exactly a month younger than Genevieve (11/02/06)! I haven't removed all eggs as DD is only slightly allergic but I have removed all peanuts and peanut products from the house. If the egg allergy is bad then yes I wouldn remove them. How easy would it be for her to open the fridge, get an egg out and break it?

Hi guys, didn't realise you'd posted!!
Hoody, until the other week after the allergist, we still had eggs in the house. We had cut down big time on using them, but now I have no egg at all. I also have no nuts obviously .I found egg to be a problem in that if DD1 was eating it, bits would fall on the ground, so I was constantly cleaning up after her hoping I"d got it all.
Also we didn't use them much, but I would wash hands after, but now I think about it, I didnt' brush my teeth, and knowing DD got her nut allergy through kisses etc, Im not sure if egg is the same and if I've made it worse.
coco is 2 and a half. Because she's been egg allergic since she can remember she knows not to eat something if I say "it's got egg, not good for coco'> But she doesn't know to tell people that. At the park yesterday she wandered over to a family (I had her in my sights ) as they were eating some kind of cakes. I ran over and said "no she can't have any, egg allergy". Coco would've taken it, she can't differentiate what does and doesn't have egg. I felt SO sad for her, she just looked like a lost puppy looking at all these kids (about 6 of them) eating the cake. I felt like crying.
Im off to check precious childrens website, thanks for the tips. Sorry you guys are going through this too, but good to know we have each other to talk to. xoxoxox

It's funny they are all girls almost the same age too!

We are off to Thailand tomorrow for 2 weeks - not the most ideal holiday location for a peanut allergy but it is for a wedding and was booked prior to the peanut incident!! We have little signs written in Thai saying that she can't have peanuts as they make her very sick. We also have the epipens which hopefully we won't have to use. It's freaking me out a bit but I guess we can't stay at home for the rest of our lives.

Nai, have a wonderful holiday and enjoy yourself. I hope all goes well, just stick to lots of vegies and rice and meat!! At least it's a nice balanced diet, just without the unknown sauces I guess! Im sure you've looked into it, or will sort it out once you're there. It's alot about preparation isn't it. Are you taking food? Im not sure what things you are allowed take, but snacks would be good.
Have a fab time and look forward to hearing all when you get back!! xoxoxoox

Nai- Have a fantastic trip. I'm sure your DD will be fine. Like Wegmeg said vegies, meat and rice :)

Webmeg- It is hard in a situation like you had at the park. My DD is by no means shy and will take food off of anyone offering.

We are all well and getting used to having to carry around all the extra medication every where we go. We are taking the epi pen of course along with some antihistamine incase we ever have a mild reaction and also all her asthma stuff. Gone are the days of just been able to nip out with my purse etc. My FDC'er has been really sweet and even got a DVD and whole heap of information on allergies for me to look through. My DD is the only child she has ever looked after with allergies so you can imagine how careful she is trying to be. The sad thing is she will only be doing daycare for another month. My DD only goes one day a week so i was going to move her to a big centre but now with all the allergies i might just keep her home- not sure i trust leaving her in care with so many other kids. Are any of your girls in day care?

Hoody I am really really lucky with day care and after a LONG search of the local daycares (and being told that they would "DO THEIR BEST" with her allergies. .....) I found a local egg and nut free long day care. Maybe if you ask around or google you might find one. They dont' even accept egg cartons for craft they are that strict. Not all kids there are allergic, but they all accept it and would never send anything allergic. we pack lunch and recess and the teacher checks every box which, for an allergy parent, is awesome. And for those not allergic, they know this going in and accept it. On top of all that they are not too big, compared with alot of day cares I've seen.
I really hope you find somewhere suitable. Also do research, Im sure there are places out there that would accomodate her and happily let other parents know not to bring anything containing the allergy foods.
Gotta run, bath/dinner time!!! xoxxo

Webmeg- What a wonderful DC that your DD goes to. I knew they are all nut free but had no idea that you could find egg free ones as well. I will definately have to have a look around my area to see if there is anything similar. If not i think once her FDC leaves i will hang off putting her back in care until i have too although i will miss my one day off. Been told by a local DC that they will "do their best" as you said in your post would not be suitable in my book.
Hope all is well on your end.

Hi Hoody!!
The most amazing thing that happened recently is that we went to enrol in the preschool next to my other daughters school. I couldn't believe it but they have recently introduced a policy where EGGS AND NUTS are welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I know most places have eggs, but to openly welcome them and nuts is SHOCKING. So these kids who are coming at 4 who have never been allowed have nut products at previous daycares, are now allowed eat peanut butter and nutella. Not only is that NOT ON for allergy sufferers, but what about the kids who just learn not to eat it at day , then start again at preschool for a year and then have to stop when school starts. Stupid.
What they said was that they think they're safer than anywhere else (?????????????) because they are so diligent at kids washing their hands. Whyat I learnt since then was that it can be airborne particles causing the problems, which they have NO control over.
I was so shocked, so Im just going to keep her at her current one until school. So frustrated though as I wanted her to meet all the kids in the year before school....grrr
Obviously we're in different states, but maybe you could ask around, as I am just so excited to have found this. It's all based on muscle reflex's and opening the blockages in the body and retraining it how to accept the allergens. I will let you know how we go x.xoxo

Sorry for my huge rant! How are you going? I have ordered some tshirts from precious child!! Just waiting for their arrival!
Also I have found a FANTASTIC DR, a keniesiologist. I thoroughly recommend looking into it, as she has 80-90% success rate of ridding allergies. They have even had success with anaphlyaxis. Im so excited that not only is Coco going to see her but I am too and so is my other DD.

Hi Girls - we are back and had no issues at all in Thailand which is a great relief!! Genevieve ate lots of different things but we were very vigilant in making sure they had no eggs or nuts.

Webbmeg, i would be interested in how you go with the allergy kinesio person. I was looking into something similar.

Hoody, my DD goes to a nut free CC and they have a very strict policy around allergy children. They have their own crockery and cutlery and menus. They also have their posters up with the action plans and the medication is kept in the room at all times. I am very comfortable in how they manage the allergies there and they have kids who have more and worse allergies than Genevieve.

Saturday morning I was having a boiled egg for breakfast and Genevieve said "I want some". So I responded "Are you sure?" knowing that given her egg allergy she would taste it and spit it out as it hurts her mouth.

However this time she had a mouthful and when asked if she liked it she said "yes!" Then she said she wanted more. She proceeded to eat nearly my entire egg and had absolutely no reaction to it. Not even one red welt.

The specialist said that approx 80% kids outgrow an egg allergy by the time they are 3 so it seems that she is one of the lucky 80% and has outgrown it. Of course we will still keep an eye on her for the next few times she has egg but it's looking very positive.

However I'm not about to shove a handful of peanuts in her mouth....

Nai thats awesome news :)

I was making a cake today and my DD grabbed the egg shell after i'd cracked the egg and ended up with welts and needing some anti histamines. Not a really severe reaction but bad enough to scare me again. I havent had them in the house for a while but an old friend visited and owns a chicken farm and bought me a tray up. I'm hoping Mia will grow out of it at some stage.

Hi Nai that's great news!!It's also lucky because most kids with allergies never like eggs after!!
Hoody, not so good for you. We too are still egg allergic. Had more testing and nuts and eggs came up. I will be going back in a year and if no improvement Coco will go to hospital for food testing. I really need to know what she can and can't eat!! Really hoping she grows out of it all by then. Maybe a long shot but fingers crossed!! xo

Webbmeg, are you doing anything differently this pregnancy to try and eliminate the possibility of another child with allergies? If so what are you doing? I have been thinking about this but not sure if there is anything I can do or any info out there?

Hi Nai!
It's a tough one isn't it! I am definitely limiting my egg intake. I know last time I really really overdosed on egg. As we don't have egg in the house, Im really only having eggy things once a week at mums cafe when DD is at kindy. I do have egg in things like biscuits, pasta etc, but last time I had curried egg EVERY DAY!!! I am also not having nuts or nut products, this is because we can't risk it with Coco, but I am being much more aware. I won't be having Thai either as I think that was a downfall (had pad thai with egg and peanut oil ALOT), I made my own pad thai last night minus the allergens!!
I suppose moderation is what Im concentrating on. I do seem to binge on one thing (guess thats what cravings can do to you) but apart from that I do wonder what else there is I can do.
What about you Nai? I know I've done a little research and it's sort of 50/50 about whether it's worth giving things up, but i think it's probably better to avoid the allergens. I will continue during pregnancy as well.
I might have a little look at a website I've found and see what they say. I'll get back to you. xoxo

Hi Nai,
I have been visiting a website that has info about allergies. I can send it to you if you'd like. It did cost money to join, but Im not sure if you'd have to pay to just look (I don't think you do).
Anyway the women on there are mainly american and their kids have some horrific allergies. The general response has been that there's no proof that avoiding the allergen will help. However, I have been advised to avoid what DD is allergic to (but not be ridiculous, if I eat something with egg or nut, not to worry) and was also told to avoid shellfish due to it's severity in reactions. Then one woman said to eat in moderation (seriously I do binge on things) and rotate what I eat, particularly in 3rd tri.
I also remember at a first aid course a couple of years ago that the woman taking the class swears that allergies come from what you eat in Third tri, so I am thinking there is some truth in that (I ate so many eggs and lots of thai in 3rd tri). So during that time I will definitely be avoiding. I think also whilst bf as well.
Hope that helps...xoxox