Children's Allergies

Hi everyone!
As most of you know, my 6YO DD had an ANA reaction this summer to a granola bar "processed on equipment"...

I've noticed lately that she will not eat ice cream, cookies, or any thing she thinks might have peanuts. We spent a lot of time in the grocery store today looking at plain vanilla ice cream and finally settled on Mayfield. There was no warning and I felt like it was safe. We got home - had supper tonight and when I dished her out a bowl of ice cream, she just could not eat it. She said she's afraid.
I put the ice cream right in the container and said, "you never have to eat anything you don't trust".
OK..Was that the right thing to do? I did take the container back out of the freezer and show her the label (she's quite a reader). We read the label - but still, she didn't trust it.

Have any of you experienced this with your older PA kids?

I called Pillsbury about their cookie dough a couple of weeks ago - and my DD heard my end of the conversation - they assured me that ANY product made by Pillsbury would have a label indicating any contact or production with peanut. She then ate the cookies - but was a little wary.

She also has started asking me what I've had to eat during the day before she will sip my water or kiss me. This is all new! (PS. I do NOT eat peanut products at work anymore for this reason).

I think some of her questioning is healthy - a defense mechanism - but I do not want her to be overly anxious about foods in our house.

Thanks for any input! :)
Stephanie

I think this is common among kids after they experience ana.  I probably would have handled it the same way.  Let her read the label (as best she can), reassure her that you are reading labels/contacting manufacturers to keep her safe and that she can choose not to eat a food.  Would it help if you & she wrote down all the things you do/rules you have to keep her safe?  (For example, read all the labels, don't eat homebaked goods from someone else, no label - no thank you, contact food manufacturers etc.)

One of my friend's DD's reacted this way after she had ana to pb in a brownie.  She's still very cautious about what foods she eats.  She has to read the label herself.  (She's 11 now, but she had an ana episode a few years ago.)

It's sad to see them so cautious, isn't it?  Yet at the same time, it's good in a sense - they're growing up and starting to take charge of their allergies.

Anne

Ok Funny story! My DD who has never had an ana reaction is terrified of peanuts! She's had an ana reaction to milk! But with her starting school she's starting to become more aware. I think it's OK for your DD to be aware. Help her to understand that it's not a limiting thing and that she can make this work. I think just continuing to talk about it is the best thing!

Katrina