Death by Peanut - First of a Two-Part Series

Welcome back. Before we get into the next fascinating article called "Death by Peanut", I'd like to take a moment to encourage parents who are dealing with children who have life-threatening allergies to "keep the faith" and remind them that they are not alone in their struggles.

This article deals with the thing that is dearest to my heart...children. It's not a fun, bouncy story like one that should be about kids. But it is a serious, vitally informative report that I hope will help the vast number of people who take care of others with peanut allergies.

I was shocked to find out that peanuts could kill. Imagine having a child who was so allergic that just smelling peanuts would be life threatening. Many individuals, under these circumstances would never let the child out of their sight. However, because of the constant danger to exposure, it is mandatory that these children be independent as soon as possible.

How do parents help a child with allergies so severe become independent? At what age in the child’s life do they begin the training?

This category of parent has to be less dependent on the idea that they must provide the child’s every need. A mother that I interviewed suggested that the perfect time to start teaching independence is three years of age. Why so young? Because the child is in so much danger the sooner, those types of children become self- aware, the more they are able to achieve a margin of safety. The child with a peanut allergy can suffer additionally with Asthma, making that a treacherous combination.

According to Medline Plus, asthma victims suffer a chronic disease that causes airways to become sore and swollen after exposure to various allergens. Left untreated it can be life threatening. http://medlineplus.gov/

An allergy to peanuts, on the other hand causes an immune system malfunction, which can result in Anaphylactic Shock.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peanut-allergy/DS00710/DSECTION=3/

The Anaphylaxis, if severe enough, can kill.

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~aair/anaphylaxis.htm#SEC1/

It appears contradictory to imply that sick (chronically allergic) children should be more independent. The very nature of their illness requires parents to be extra wary, extra cautious and extra protective. Is it realistic then, for a parent to consider leaving these children somewhat on their own, just as they would leave children that are not ill?

The average child (with or without allergies) from ages three to five learns to brush their teeth, bring mom and/or dad the combs, brushes, hair accessories, etc to groom their hair, dress themselves, answer the phone and many learn to dial the phone in case of emergency. They also can recite their phone number, address, full name, and read and write on an appropriate level. Some even help with the laundry or dishes.

The child that suffers from chronic allergies needs to do all of the above and additionally, its illness demands the following ten precautions:

1.Taking medicine

2. Reading food labels

3. Abstaining from foods that contain allergens

4. Avoiding air that contains cross contamination

5. Sharing foods

6. Sharing eating utensils

7. Avoid kissing one who has eaten peanuts

8. Standing up to peer pressure and ridicule

9. Stop playing and rest when symptoms of the allergy appear (shortness of breath, coughing, etc).

This is obviously a tall, adult order. However, is this responsibility and ability to carry it out just reserved for the parent? Hardly. It would be just as naive to think that a child cannot do this, as it is to think that every adult can open a childproof cap.

On interviewing the above- mentioned parent, Mrs. Berry from Pennsylvania, who has a five-year-old child with unfortunately both asthma and peanut allergies, I received the following information after asking these questions: Is it possible for a child like your daughter to be independent with all of the demands of her illness? Can you share your training tips or any advice with parents in your similar situation? Mrs. Berry’s reply was:

"To answer the first question, yes, it definitely is. Children are amazing. My advice…well…When my daughter was three, my husband and I started showing her how to take apart and put back together her Nebulizer.

http://www.cchs.net/health/health-info/docs/0300/0352.asp?index=4297/

We made it a fun game for her. By the time she was five, we switched to the Acro Chamber http://www.aerochambervhc.com/ and she now administers it to herself, while I watch, of course.

My biggest trauma was worrying about her starting school. I feared the lunches that contained peanut butter sandwiches that the other kids would bring, her exchanging foods and eating from other children’s forks or spoons. I was terrified that if anyone even kissed her on the cheek that had been eating peanuts, it would be fatal. If she even smelled peanuts in the air-there was a severe reaction. Someone has to read all food labels in case of peanut derivatives being part of the contents. I questioned who would take time to read labels in a school cafeteria. As if that wasn’t bad enough, I worried what would happen when she played with other kids and started to have an asthma attack and she would not stop playing because she didn’t want the kids to make fun of her.

I suffered endless, sleepless nights. I realized that I couldn’t inflict my fears on her and I couldn’t be with her all the time. So, we taught her self-defense. She now shows the babysitter how to administer her medicine, she does not eat treats in school, but she happily brings them home and we “check” them together. The foods she takes to school we call “special” foods and all the kids want to be special, so they can’t wait to try her snack foods. She realizes that she cannot be in the lunchroom when any derivative of peanuts is being served, so the wonderful school that she is in gave her a “buddy system” that gives her a buddy to eat with outside the lunchroom on the “peanut” days. The little ones love this fun behavior. Of course, she can’t read food labels, but adults think she is adorable when she asks them to read. That happens when we leave her with relatives or babysitters. She learned early on that continuing to play when her chest got tight would make her sick, so only very recently she has begun to stop and rest before going back to play. That one was hard.

I guess I just want to say to other parents that you have to start them young. Some people think three years old is too young, but how many of us put our kids in dance or gymnastic classes at that age. Talk to them and make a game out of training them. Make them proud, like telling them that their snacks are special, etc. And, above all don’t dump your fear on them. They are very capable of being independent, but we have to trust that, and give them the confidence that we don’t always have.”

I asked Mrs. Berry if I could keep in touch and monitor her little girl’s progress with the upcoming school year. This will be the first time that she is away for a full day. Mrs. Berry agreed, so I’ll keep you posted.

In the next interview, I plan to cover how the school reacted and what effect possible changes had on the other students. I’ll also include some information on if the medical field has any plans to eliminate this threat. 

You don't want to miss the follow-up on this report.

See you soon.