The Right Way to Help Your Child Avoid a Peanut Allergy (Premium)
It’s a serious concern for new parents: What if my child has a peanut allergy? This allergy is the most frequent cause of a severe food reaction. For some, even a tiny exposure can be life-threatening. While heart-breaking stories of a child dying from a peanut exposure are rare, tragically they do happen–and the constant fear lingers for families who have to deal with this.
Reactions develop quickly after exposure, and caregivers need to watch for classic food allergy reactions such as itching in the mouth or throat, redness or swelling on the skin around the mouth, hives, digestive issues, shortness of breath, or a tight throat or wheezing. More severe, life-threatening reactions with symptoms such as trouble breathing, a rapid pulse, a drop in blood pressure, or dizziness require a 911 call, an immediate ER visit, and/or the use of an EpiPen, with physician follow-up.
While there are no promises or complete answers, recent guidelines offer a hopeful approach to lessen the severity or avoid a peanut allergy. Reportedly, most parents aren’t educated by their pediatrician on how to follow the approach.
