- I was buying a few things at the supermarket with my Mum. We had the 2 kids in the pram - they didn't get out/touch anything/eat anything - all of a sudden I noticed that there are itchy welts appearing on my son's face and they were spreading by the second. Antihistamine in and the reaction slowed and stopped. We have no idea what caused it - was it an airborne reaction or did he touch the pram wheel that had something on it and rubbed his face? Very thankful for meds then and although he had a reaction, I appreciated that it was very educational for my Mum to see how quick, real and mysterious reactions can sometimes be.
- At playgroup last week I was about 30 seconds behind my daughter to the morning tea table but by the time I got there another mother had set her up with a bowl of fruit and crackers - she is allergic to all the crackers that were in her bowl and had already had a bite out of two of them. Thankfully she barely reacted (her reactions are pretty mild compared to my sons's) and I didn't need to medicate her. But she became very distressed that I took the food away (I think she thought she was in trouble, rather than the loss of the food - I need to work on not showing panic!), poor thing, and it took about 5min to console her. Funnily enough, I had to give my son some antihistamine because he had a reaction - big itchy welt on his chin and cheek. I have a feeling coconut could be the problem (we have had 3 possibly coconut related reactions). It's not a nut and he hasn't been tested for it due to no concerns in the past, and what I've read tells me that there isn't actually a test for it...
Most of the mums at our playgroup are very aware of my kids' allergies and always ask before serving my children anything. Unfortunately this mum's English is pretty limited and it seemed like she didn't know. It's possibly time for another announcement about my kids.
I pack our medications in the bag pictured above - it is a formula bottle bag so is insulated - good for temperature control and protection for the glass antihistamine bottle, it's also red and therefore easy to locate. We have the antihistamine, epipen and asthma gear in there. It's easy to carry on your shoulder or pop in the nappy bag.
How do you carry your medications?
Sorry to hear your accidents! I always have her antihistamines with me in the handbag but touch wood, we haven't use it. How do you go about telling people about their allergies without looking like a helicopter fussy parent?
ReplyDeleteO I think you can test coconut if you think coconut might be a problem too. They should stock it during the test. or you can bring a little bit in and they can scratch it on them
As much as I'd love to not be a helicopter parent, I think that with a child with anaphylaxis that, in food situations, you have to be a helicopter and make no apologies for it. I want my kids to be healthy and alive so I don't care if people think I'm always around. I just have to choose to let my kids 'run free' when I know the risk of allergic reaction is low and then be right there when it is high. My kids are getting more responsible as they get older so it gets easier to let them go and know that they will be okay. My son tends to ask 'Is there nuts in that?' now but I still am there in the background making sure - he's only 3!
ReplyDeleteAt playgroup the leader made an announcement to everyone so that they were all aware at the same time rather than me going around telling everyone. It got some good conversations happening too so that I could educate them more too.
Thanks for the ideas about coconut testing - good idea about bringing it in. I hadn't thought of that.
Yes, I'm a helicopter parent. You do get one or two funny looks though. I'm slowly learning. I found some people don't understand the reaction or extent it might have. It's all about education. :)
ReplyDeleteHe's only 3 and he understands! That's great. I don't think P knows at all.