Siblings, Easter and Nut Allergy

Spendless

msmicawber wrote: »

It's incredible isn't it that there are people who still don't understand when allergies are on the increase, and there's plenty of coverage in the press? I caused a furore at a family party a few years ago because I overheard my now (now ex-) in-laws talking about their daughter's boyfriend and putting his nut allergy down as psychosomatic. They weren't going to tell him about some of the food because 'if he doesn't know, it won't hurt him'. I made sure I told him and then he wouldn't eat anything because the way the food was laid out on the plates he was worried about contamination. My in-laws never forgave me for sticking my nose in, but sod them. They have never accepted that he has a real condition, and I couldn't sit idly by and let him eat the food and become ill just to prove them wrong. I suspect Minmouse's brother may be the same, but hope not.

I'm shocked that people mix up a "don't like it, never tried it" attitude with a potentially fatal allergy. :eek: .

MINMOUSE_ you said your mum has told you not to make waves. Is this cos she doesn't want a family fall-out do you know?

thriftlady_2

Melissa_Hewett wrote: »

Oh dont be so ridiculous! I do not care for your sarcasm.

They are being deprived at school, when they should have the choice to eat them if they should want.

You said you wanted them banned so thats you depriving them, fo ryour daughter, but you made it happen.

I no what being allergic to nuts is dont treat me like an idiot, my brother is also allergic to nuts, he lives happily in a house where people eat them and he doesnt, it really is quite simple!

The school offered to ban nuts before I asked, they didn't want to risk my child's life either.

I didn't intend to treat you like an idiot, it just seemed from what you were saying that you maybe didn't understand the consequences of anaphylactic shock.

I've never once heard any parent at my daughter's school complain about not being able to send nuts to school. Parents have gone out of their way to check food labels.

thriftlady_2

Carmina_Piranha wrote: »

i have heard of people whose allergy is so severe that they can have a reaction if somebody opens a nut product in the same room as them. i don't know how common it is to have such a severe reaction though.

Fortunately my dd's allergy is not that severe. The school had a child a few years back with such a severe reaction though, so it can happen. My dd is only allergic to peanut and pinenut. So in school the problem lies mainly with peanut butter. I would be quite happy for hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and brazils to be allowed in school but the staff find it easier to have a blanket ban on all nuts.

MINMOUSE

Gosh I didn't expect such a disagreement to start. My dd is v v allergic to nuts. She can and has had reactions through being in contact with hands also surfaces which have previously been in contact with nuts. We found out that she was allergic the hard way. She touched a peanut butter sandwich at 13 months and had a full blow allergic attack. We have epipens as do her nursery (she has only been at school nursery since Aug 06). They have banned nuts in the raw form but some in products do seem to appear but they, in most instances seem to keep her away from this. I do not think it selfish to ban nuts in the nursery. The children are only there for 2 1/2 hours a day they can have them at any other time!

Re my mother my bb is the golden boy (only son for her ) and she does not like to upset him as his wife then gets in a tizz.

msmicawber

I'm sorry, Melissa, but I can't agree with you over this. I remember being frustrated when my son was at nursery because he was going through a stage of only eating peanut butter sandwiches, which he wasn't allowed because of a child like Minmouse's who had a severe peanut allergy. He wouldn't eat while at nursery, but I did understand why they couldn't take the risk. In the end, I moved my son to a childminder who was able to accommodate his finnicky food ways. I wouldn't risk another child's health or life. It's not their fault, and they've a lot more to lose than a healthy snack.

thriftlady_2

msmicawber wrote: »

I wouldn't risk another child's health or life. It's not their fault, and they've a lot more to lose than a healthy snack.

Thank you, a truly selfless view

msmicawber

Thank you, thriftlady, but don't canonise me - I checked that there really was a child with the allergy and that it wasn't just some batty 'baa baa rainbow sheep' type rule first!

alexism_2

I think many people are unsympathetic to nut allergies simply because they don't understand how serious they can be. People who appreciate that they can be life-threatening and STILL think that they shouldn't be restricted in schools and nurseries either seriously lack empathy or are trolling.

Nut allergies are getting more common - between 1 and 2% of the population depending on which study you look at - which means that in an average school you are going to have enough kids who can have a fatal reaction to peanuts that the only safe thing to do is to restrict them.

Anyway, I'll get off my soap box now. Too late for this year, but as others have said M&S are excellent with respect to their labelling and do a good range of nut-free chocs for kids.

-- A.

http://www.peanutallergyuk.co.uk

amandada

Melissa_Hewett wrote: »

I dont want to start an arguement i just dont liek the fact that the other kids are being deprived all because one mum says so. I will leave it at that.

I think it's completely selfish to not want to deprive a child of life just so other children can have their peanut butter sarnie/whatever other food.

How utterly selfish of a parent not to want to lost their child to a fatal allergy:rolleyes:

super41

Carmina_Piranha wrote: »

i have heard of people whose allergy is so severe that they can have a reaction if somebody opens a nut product in the same room as them. i don't know how common it is to have such a severe reaction though.

I am like this and it can make going to certain events difficult. When I was younger I would go to parties etc and get symptoms such as wheezing, sneezing, puffy eyes, tight chest and breathlessness just by being in the same room as a bowl of peanuts. Travelling by plane when they bring out the bags of peanuts is a nightmare. If you don't suffer or know someone who does, it is hard to understand the seriousness of the condition. Nowadays I always check and ask people to not include peanuts etc. They are usually obliging. I've had nut allergy for 35 years and in the past people accused me of imagining it etc. fortunately things have improved, though unfortunately that's because more people are developuing the condition. Now I'm an adult and I can still find it difficult to cope with, so how awful for a child or a parent worrying about a child when they're out of their control. The best defence is not coming into contact with nuts in the first place so that's why it's so important that schools ban nuts from packed lunches and snacks. My DD also has food allergies and I have been so impressed with the attitude of the school, they couldn't have been more helpful.