Not good news unfortunately.

The peanut wheal came up 8-10mm which is another increase (6mm in 2005 & 7mm in 2007). The specialist basically said the chances of Riley now outgrowing the allergy are basically zero. The only good news was that he tested negative for everything else - even tree nuts.

We are now moving in a different direction in managing his allergy. Total avoidance hasn't worked for us but at least we tried. We are now going to expand Riley's diet to include foods that have traces of nuts warnings. The specialist supported this approach and so far so good. We are now following the "no epi no eat" mantra and will be working towards Riley learning to take responsibility for his allergy as he gets older.

I am going to take a break from allergy stuff online for a while but wish everyone all the best in managing the maze that is kids food allergy.

Cheers

Vanessa
DD Delaney Isabel - April 99
DS Riley James - August 04 (peanut allergy)

Gosh I understand how you are feeling.

After our last results (peanut 15x15 and all treenuts positive as well) the specialist said 'well he won't outgrow it now, so I won't bother seeing him again for at least 3 years'.

I was crushed. I ended up asking if I could book just prior to commencing school (18 months away) to see where we are up to then.

When do they want to see Riley again?

Also be careful with the 'traces of' inroduction. We only had positive peanut SPT's so avoided 'traces of peanuts and nuts' however if it said 'traces of treenuts' we let him have it. Next SPT he came up positive to all the treenuts.

The specialist basically said we could come back next year if we wanted but he doubted there would be any change. Personally I'm done with SPTing, its really only confirms an allergy if the person has had a reaction and isn't predictive of severity of reaction.

I know what you are saying about the tree nuts but total avoidance has gotten us nowhere with peanuts in the last three years. The specialist said kids with peanut allergy were 50% more likely to go on to develop tree nut sensitivity so the chances seem pretty high that it may happen eventually. Our focus is now on seeing what he can tolerate and on educating him how to manage his allergy in the future.

I'm still confident that with all the research that is happening - particularly in the US with desensitization, that we will have some form of treatment within 10 years. Apparently Dr Burke who is running the US study is coming out to Australia this year so there should be some more news about this then.

Hi Vanessa

hugs, hugs and more hugs...
So sorry to hear about Riley's peanut allergy outcome...
But, I am so glad to hear that he is negative to all other allergens!

Hi
sorry to hear the latest response. I understand where you are coming from. I have always believed that the SPT will give you an indication of a possible reaction, but unless you have injested the food you will never know. It is very scary when you think it involves your childs life. My DD3 has a peanut and egg allergy, however she eats cakes and biscuits that have egg as an ingredient with no problems. We haven't given her scambled eggs yet but hopefully one day. We also allow products with "traces of" if there is an alternative I will give it, however this isn't always the case and so far touch wood we haven't had any reactions in 2 years. Every child is different and will reacted differently, I am willing to risk it at the moment if it opens up what she can eat. To be honest I have done everything the specialists has NOT recommended. She had a mild reaction with peanut butter when she was 11 months and nothing since.
It seems that the drs are now talking about desensitization
with food allergies, which makes sense to me, if you avoid a food for years and then introduce it the body will think it is foreign and have a possible reaction.
A friend's DS has a egg/peanut allergy who just turned 5 and hasn't had egg/peanut products or traces of since he was 6 months old and he accidently ate something with egg in it recently and had a very bad reaction needing a epipen and the peanut is still showing up on the SPT. They have been told the reactions are getting worse. Even after avoiding everything, now the DR is recommending trying things with egg that have been cooked at high temperatures for more the 30 minutes to try and build up a tolerance??

This would depend on how sensitive your child is in the first place.
Everyone is entitled to do what they are comfortable with,
and hope for the best.

We are heading back to the DR's next month for another SPT so will be interested to see what the results are going to be. Even if she is still reacting on the skin I will probably continue along this path as it seems to be working for us. Will make sure I post regardless of the results.

sorry to rave on, but don't give up, hopefully next year will be better. I agree with giving up on the internet sometimes there is way to much information and it isn't alway correct.
good luck