THE QUESTION: My 9-year-old grandson has been diagnosed with a moderate peanut allergy. We've got plenty of literature on what he should avoid and what to do if he's exposed. But what kind of lifestyle or diet should we adopt to keep this allergy from becoming more serious as he grows up?

Dawn Michelle Simon, Aventura nutritionist

THE EXPERT: Dawn Michelle Simon is a licensed registered dietitian with experience in implementing nutritional interventions for adults and children. She has over 20 years’ experience in dealing with digestive problems, developmental disabilities, obsessive compulsive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, substance abuse /recovery and weight management. Dawn Michelle is based in Aventura and teaches her clients to use food, nutrients and movement to support the immune system and raise energy and vitality levels. Reach her through her website at http://www.dawnmichellesimon.com/.

 THE ANSWER: Allergy to peanuts is the most common food allergy in the U.S.  American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology estimates that 1.5 million people suffer from the disease.

We need to first clarify what you are describing as a “moderate food allergy”.  Is your grandson having an immediate (or within 30 minutes) reaction after eating peanuts or peanut containing products?  If so this is a type I hypersensitivity and is what most people call food allergy.  It is an allergic reaction producing symptoms such as:

• Hives;
• Wheezing
• Dry hacking cough;
• Swelling of the mouth, tongue and/or throat;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Vomiting, diarrhea;
• Cramping;
• Loss of consciousness;
• Death.

Because this type of food allergy has the potential to be life threatening it is important for your grandson’s safety that all adults who take care of him to be well informed regarding the foods he must avoid and the steps that must be implemented in case of an accidental exposure.

Your grandson’s doctor will have provided:

• A list of dietary changes to be made;
• A list of medications and how to use them;
• Instruction on how to use an epinephrine auto-injector.

Living with food allergy can be overwhelming. Eating differently than others can produce stress if not properly managed.   Many people experience loneliness when they can’t eat what other’s are and may experience a great deal of fear of an anaphylactic reaction.

To help instill confidence in your grandson, the adults in his live should seek out education and advice from either a physician or registered dietitian with experience in implementing nutritious food and healthy lifestyle plans for people with food allergy.  Here’s a great website to start gaining more insight: www.foodallergy.org

If your grandson’s food allergy is not a type I his reactions are still immune responses but may be delayed from 2-72 hours later after eating the offending food.  Symptoms are: reactions like: bloating, constipation, diarrhea, migraine, rheumatoid arthritis.  Many DAN practitioners are now finding a link between children on the spectrum for autism and ADHD and delayed hypersensitivity.  It is often difficult to determine the food or chemicals initiating delayed type reactions but can be done, either by challenge tests, IgG testing, intolerance testing, or cell mediated tests.

As you can see food allergy can be complex. I strongly encourage you to find an expert to work closely with your family to design a plan and provide education on how to deal with the obstacles from eating in restaurants to sleep-away camp that are sure to come up  in managing your grandson’s peanut allergy.

Many children do outgrow their milk, wheat, eggs and soy food allergies.  On the other hand, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts allergies continue to cause reactions in 80% of children throughout their life span.

Completely eliminating peanut containing products over a sustained period of time increases the chances grandson may outgrow his allergy.

Lifestyle Tips:

• Educate yourself regarding other foods to avoid
• Read food  labels carefully; look for products that claim to be free of peanuts and  manufactured without coming in contact with peanuts
• Some allergy experts recommend eliminating all tree nuts. It’s best to discuss this with your grandson’s health care professional
• If your grandson has anaphylactic reactions to peanuts consider a medical ID alert bracelet
• Educate him of the dangers of food sharing with friends
• Depending on his age teach him how to use an epi-pen or ask for help

Helpful Websites:

http://www.foodallergy.org/

http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/?gclid=CMLx3dSzx5sCFQIxxgodkDP8CQ

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HAVE A QUESTION? To submit questions to Dawn Michelle – or any of our other experts – send e-mail to ask@talkofaventura.com.

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