Peanut Butter!

I'm sure you know - Eleanor has a Peanut Allergy.
I'm sure you've heard - I didn't deal with the news very well.
I'm sure you told me - Have her retested.
I'm sure you know - I procrastinate!

But last October, I had her retested. 

 



We took her to Children's Hospital Allergy clinic and went through the "Scratch Test".  On the right side of Eleanor's back the did a histamine (sample) scratch.  Then on the left side they did a 8 panel nut/legume scratch test.  And then we waited.  And waited and waited.  Little Miss E did remarkable, given how badly the histamine sample itched. 

 

The test, as you can see from the picture above, was pretty conclusive.  She did not have a skin allergy to peanuts.  (See how the histamine sample is red and blotchy?  That is what another allergy would have looked like). 

 

Andy and I didn't make a very big deal about this test.  We still didn't know what would happen if Eleanor ingested peanuts.  And we certainly didn't want anyone thinking - well, she's not allergic anymore, so we can give her nuts....or be more relaxed about it anyway. 

 

The doctor order a Food Challenge - however, given that Eleanor's food allergy wasn't life altering and wasn't preventing her from obtaining any necessary and vital nutrients, the urgency of our Food Challenge was next to nothing!

 

Hence, how  we got to the end of January. 

 

We tried not to talk to Eleanor a lot about the food challenge before hand - imagine, being told your entire life (albeit only 5 short years) that you can't have Peanut Butter or Peanuts.  And then, being told by the two people you trust most in life...OK, today we are going to take you and give you peanuts.  Once she found out about the food challenge, her mind was BLOWN!  She had SO many questions and we tried to answer them as best as we could. 

 

This morning she was very wound up, but did a good job being good. We headed to the clinic armed with Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Cups and 2 Epi-Pens!  The staff at Children's was wonderful - of course.  They involved Eleanor in every part of the pre-test.  Asking her questions, explaining what was going on.  Eleanor is a VERY curious child, but is settled once someone takes the time to actually explain. 

 

The nurse examined every inch of her little body.  Eleanor has HORRIBLY dry skin (thanks to both a mother and father with horrible skin and eczema!)  So they wanted to make sure they knew what her skin looked like pre-peanut butter. 

 

Step 1: Rub some peanut butter on the inside of her lip.  Wait 15 minutes. 

The initial fear in Eleanor's eyes wanted to break my heart.  Then the fear turned into curiosity.  Imagine, the texture of peanut butter in your mouth for the first time!  But her body didn't really respond!  They checked all her vitals and another extensive skin check.  Nothing.

Step 2: A peanut butter cup.  Wait 15 minutes.

Eleanor was apprehensive at first.  Nibbling the peanut butter cup with the same care she nibbles on all food with.  But once she hit that peanut butter, there was no stopping her.  The entire thing was gone in minutes.  And we waited.  No reaction.  Vitals.  Skin check.

Step 3: 2 peanut butter cups. Eleanor was getting full - you could tell.  And she was drinking lots of water. But being a champ!  Wait 15 minutes.  Nothing.  Check vitals - skin check.  Next step!  While we were waiting Eleanor cuddled up to me and said, "Mom, I really hope I'm not allergic to peanut butter any more!"

Step 4: Crackers with gobs of peanut butter.  Poor Eleanor's belly, so full!  But she popped those crackers in her mouth like a champ.  Vitals - skin check.  And then wait 30 minutes.  Nothing.  Not a red mark, a hive, a cough, nothing!

 

So now?  Now we wait 24 hours.  We did another skin check tonight and again tomorrow morning.  If nothing - we ensure she has 1 - 2 servings of peanut protein for the next two weeks.  If no reaction - she's rid of her Peanut Allergy Label!  I'm literally in shock! 

 

Eleanor's allergy was never a major inconvenience.  She could be BY peanut butter.  She ate things that we made on shared equipment and even ate things that "may contain...".  But it was a cause for fear.  What if someone doesn't know.  What if someone else forgets.  Eleanor was great at asking if something had peanut butter in it AFTER she ate it.  Although she was getting a lot better.  I can't imagine not having to worry about this or think about it anymore!  Although, I don't really think it's that easy.  I feel like every time (at least for awhile) that she eats peanuts, I'm going to be watching like a hawk. 

 

Next step (after these two weeks) is to introduce her, one at a time, over two week increments, to tree nuts: almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, etc.

 

So...No, YOU can not give my daughter any peanuts...YET.  She still needs to be in a very controlled environment when being exposed to peanuts.  She can not have more than 2 servings per day.  And this helicopter momma is going to be very careful.

BUT...we are WELL on our way of being peanut allergy free!