[DK615617]

Here is an odd question. If a baby gets what seems to be a cold, could it be a food allergy? or would you just asume it is a cold.
I am being paranoid, but Tiffany got really stuffy and snorty a few hours after I baked peanut butter balls, and peanut butter cookies. Obviously I didn't give her any, but the smell of it was very strong in the house. And I ate 3 or 4 cookies (I am breastfeeding)
So when within a few hours she was all snorty and stuffy and her eyes are watery I thought oh oh I hope this is just a cold and not an allergy.....
Does anyone have an allergie to peanuts, how did you first find out?
After reading this I know I sound paranoid, but it is such a scary allergy!!!!!

[twinzplus3]

Oh my heavens NO you don't sound paranoid. It could very well be just a cold. But it could also very well be a peanut allergy and nut allergies can be life or death. My advice to you is to treat her as if she has a severe peanut allergy as far as what's in your house and what you eat. Go nut free. Some theorize that this could minimize or eliminate the allergy as she gets older. I don't know if I buy that. . .BUT if it is an allergy and not a cold the next reaction could be a lot worse. Absolutely kids that little can react to nuts in bm and to the smell. You are not at all nuts! ( get it? Nuts? hardy har har. . .need to go paint now!)

[twinzplus3]

Oh. . .just to clarify. . .you don't have to be 'nut' free forever. . .but I would stay that way until she's 2. At 2 you could either have testing done or you may have had other opportunity to see what happens. (I'm not a big fan of testing babies for allergies personally.)

[DK615617]

Ohhh, I really really really hope it isn't a nut allergy. Arghh.
Although now that I think about it, I eat a lot of Peatnut M&M's...... So maybe we're OK.
I sure hope so.
She is almost 11 months old and this will be her 2nd cold. I guess that isn't too bad, but to me it seems like she is always sick. Although she was around a little girl who is sick a lot, the neighbor girl is in day care and the poor girl always is sick. So maybe it is a cold.
Can't they do a blood test for allergies? (I know it isn't 100% but would at least ba a good starting point) Did you have your kids checked for lead ever? From what I have read they say they should be checked by age 2, My pedi acted like I was nuts when I mentioned it to him, but I was at a house with Tiffany for a piano lesson and they had just had lead paint removed a few days prior. I don't know if they did it with a method that woudl contain the lead or if they just sanded it. (Yikes) But we also have copper pipes with lead solder so I am a little concerned about our water. I thought I should have her tested (along with our water) and he said it isn't necasary. ( ohh I think I spelled that wrong)

[mama2riley]

My doctor's office does a lead screening at age 1 and age 2. I would think if your office didn't do it routinely, they would have to if you requested it.

[KR258]

My daughter was tested at her 1yr appoinment in September...I didn't ask for it but I am sure if you insisted they'd do it.
Just tell them you suspect your baby may have come in contact with it...or something of the sort. I don't like it too much when my doc's tell me what's needed and what isn't.

[twinzplus3]

In NYC it is mandatory to test for lead. So yep. . .all of my kids have been tested.