How to treat a child with peanut allergy?

Question

Hello doctor,

My five-year-old daughter was just diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy. We are really scared after her recent reaction.

What should we do to keep her safe?
How do we handle school lunches and birthday parties?
Are there any treatments available, or is avoidance our only option?

I have heard about epinephrine auto-injectors, but I am nervous about using one.

Could you explain how they work?
Also, how do we read food labels properly to avoid hidden allergens?

We want our daughter to have a normal childhood, but we are worried about every meal now.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

I am sorry to hear about your daughter’s diagnosis. It is completely understandable to feel scared and overwhelmed.

Let us break down your concerns and address them one by one.

Keeping your daughter safe:

Avoidance: The primary way to manage a peanut allergy is to avoid peanuts and peanut-containing products. This includes being vigilant about cross-contamination.
Using Epinephrine auto-injectors: These are crucial for managing severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). They work by injecting a dose of Epinephrine (a sympathomimetic drug), which can quickly reduce the severity of the reaction. It is important to carry two auto-injectors at all times. To use Epinephrine auto-injectors, remove the safety cap, press against the outer thigh, hold for 10 seconds, and massage the injection site for 10 seconds. Practicing with a trainer device can enhance comfort.

Handling school lunches and birthday parties

School lunches: Inform the school about your daughter’s allergy. Your daughter's allergies require careful planning and access to her epinephrine auto-injectors. Safe foods should be packed.
Birthday parties: Birthday parties should be discussed with the host, and safe snacks and treats should be provided. Ensure an adult is aware of her allergy and knows how to use epinephrine auto-injectors.

Treatment options:

1. Avoidance: This remains the primary method.

2. Immunotherapy: This involves gradually exposing your daughter to small amounts of peanut protein to build tolerance.

Immunotherapy options include:

Ⅰ. Oral immunotherapy (OIT): Ingesting small, increasing amounts of peanut protein under medical supervision.

Ⅱ. Epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT): Using a patch that delivers small amounts of peanut protein through the skin.

Ⅲ. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT): Placing small amounts of peanut protein under the tongue.

These treatments are not cures but can reduce the severity of reactions.

Reading food labels:

To ensure allergen safety, look for allergen statements like "Contains peanuts" or "May contain peanuts," be aware of ingredients like ground nuts, mixed nuts, or arachis oil, and check for cross-contamination warnings.

Ensuring a normal childhood:

To ensure your daughter's safety and happiness, it is essential to educate her about her allergies, empower her to ask about ingredients, and support her in avoiding food.

Connect with other parents who have children with food allergies for advice, and encourage her to participate in activities with necessary precautions.

Kindly consult a physician, discuss with them, and start taking the medications with their consent.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.