A child’s first allergic reaction to peanuts is an extremely alarming event for parents. Even when symptoms are mild, assessing the available peanut allergy treatment options is understandably a priority. Fortunately, working with an Atlanta allergist offers families the guidance needed to navigate a food allergy without adversely affecting a child’s nutrition and development. Here are some top tips you can use to manage a peanut allergy successfully.
How Can Parents Manage Their Child’s Peanut Allergy?
The number of U.S. children affected by peanut allergies has reached an estimated 2.5%, with growing rates of reported cases in recent years. As more children face the threat of a peanut allergy, parents should be aware of the best ways to deal with this allergy.
Read Food Labels
Checking food labels on items that either contain peanuts outright, or that may contain peanut traces from being prepared in a factory that uses peanuts will help avoid accidental exposure. Peanuts are a common addition to baked goods, candies, sauces, pastries and many other food items. By showing your child how to read food labels at the appropriate age, they can be involved in forming safe dietary habits.
Practice Safe Meal Preparation
Avoiding cross-contamination during food preparation can also prevent accidental exposure to peanuts. While some families choose to avoid this food entirely, others might prepare separate meals for a child with an allergy. In this case, make sure to use separate utensils and wash cookware thoroughly.
Visit an Allergist for Food Allergy Testing
Food allergy testing is necessary to accurately diagnose a peanut allergy. Using skin prick or blood testing, your allergist can confirm if peanuts (and any other food items) are responsible for symptoms. And while a child might be nervous about a visit to an allergist’s office, you can take steps to prepare your child for a food allergy test.
Create an Emergency Plan With Your Allergist
An emergency allergy plan will help parents, teachers and friends in the event of an allergic reaction. With a clear plan, teachers will know what steps to take if an allergic child has hives, an increased pulse, difficulty breathing or other symptoms while at school.
Carry Epinephrine Auto-Injectors
One key aspect of an emergency plan is the availability of an epinephrine auto-injector. After being exposed to peanuts, a small percentage of those with a peanut allergy will experience anaphylaxis. While rare, this life-threatening condition does cause severe symptoms, and administering epinephrine will interrupt the reaction. Emergency services should also be called.
Consider Peanut Allergy Desensitization Treatment
Oral immunotherapy is a desensitization treatment method used for peanuts and various other potentially allergenic foods. This process requires children to eat small amounts of peanut protein to build tolerance to the allergen over time. You can discuss the benefits of this treatment with your allergist after a diagnosis.
Visit Atlanta’s Top Peanut Allergy Specialists
If your child experiences allergy symptoms after eating peanuts, talk to an experienced food allergy specialist today. We provide expert peanut allergy testing and treatment at centers in the Atlanta area. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment.
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