kcrc
08-27-2010, 08:22 AM
Hi All! I know I don't post very often, but I do read Intercot all the time! Thank you in advance for reading. I need some advice.
My DS8 has a peanut allergy. He had an initial reaction when he was 18 months old but, thank Goodness, we have watched everything carefully since then and he has not had one since.
We have done some skin prick tests and blood tests through the years. His blood test numbers have actually gone down over the past few years (to be considered "low"). His skin prick tests have come back with a "positive" result, but, he has also had slightly "positive" results for foods he eats without issue. This lead the allergist to believe he has sensitive skin, making the reactions appear more than they really are.
With all that said, the allergist believes he is a good candidate to do a food challenge to see if he really is allergic. For those who don't know what that is, they will start with the tiniest fleck of peanut butter, and put it on his tongue (We're talking like can't even see it small). They will continue to watch him and slightly increase the amount he consumes every 20 minutes or so. If he can handle I think it's a tablespoon, they will consider him not allergic. Some kids may react immediately. Some kids may make it to a quarter tsp and then react, etc. It is all done in the Dr's office, closely watched, and ready to treat any symptoms he could form.
Having said all that - we are so torn on this. While it would be ABSOLUTELY BEYOND BELIEF to find out that he is fine,what if he's not? What if he reacts? I'm not sure what type of lasting impression that will leave on him. I know it will scare the heck out of DH and myself. But I'm more afraid of the effect it would have on my son. While I always want him to be cautious, I don't want him to go through life terrified.
He definitely wants his peanut allergy to go away. But at the same time, DS is scared to eat something that we've told him forever not to go near because it will make you sick.
What would you do?
My DS8 has a peanut allergy. He had an initial reaction when he was 18 months old but, thank Goodness, we have watched everything carefully since then and he has not had one since.
We have done some skin prick tests and blood tests through the years. His blood test numbers have actually gone down over the past few years (to be considered "low"). His skin prick tests have come back with a "positive" result, but, he has also had slightly "positive" results for foods he eats without issue. This lead the allergist to believe he has sensitive skin, making the reactions appear more than they really are.
With all that said, the allergist believes he is a good candidate to do a food challenge to see if he really is allergic. For those who don't know what that is, they will start with the tiniest fleck of peanut butter, and put it on his tongue (We're talking like can't even see it small). They will continue to watch him and slightly increase the amount he consumes every 20 minutes or so. If he can handle I think it's a tablespoon, they will consider him not allergic. Some kids may react immediately. Some kids may make it to a quarter tsp and then react, etc. It is all done in the Dr's office, closely watched, and ready to treat any symptoms he could form.
Having said all that - we are so torn on this. While it would be ABSOLUTELY BEYOND BELIEF to find out that he is fine,what if he's not? What if he reacts? I'm not sure what type of lasting impression that will leave on him. I know it will scare the heck out of DH and myself. But I'm more afraid of the effect it would have on my son. While I always want him to be cautious, I don't want him to go through life terrified.
He definitely wants his peanut allergy to go away. But at the same time, DS is scared to eat something that we've told him forever not to go near because it will make you sick.
What would you do?