Peanut allergy

After a couple of questionable reactions to a peanut/peanut butter exposure (eczema flare up & a slightly swollen eye) we decided to take Colton into our pediatrician to check into it further. He referred us to the clinic’s pediatric allergist. We met with her on Wednesday and after a skin scratch test, got a confirmed diagnosis of a peanut allergy in Colton.

We are still in the early stages of this diagnosis & learning what it will mean for our family. We still have a number of un-answered questions that I am working on following up with the doctor on. We don’t know the severity of his allergy and we don’t know if he is allergic to other nuts (tree nuts) – these are questions I want to get answered so we are armed with the best knowledge possible to keep Colton safe.

Our daycare has been wonderful at working with us so far. They are not a nut-free facility but have another severe-peanut-allergy case in a classroom two levels up from the boys (in the 2 ½-3 year old room). Currently, the 2-2 ½ & 2 ½-3 year old rooms are totally nut-free because of the other case already existing. This makes me feel better that they are already experienced in dealing with this type of allergy & have multiple people trained on the use of an epi-pen (it’s part of their First Aid training courses).

It’s something I never imagined or wished to have to deal with but we have to move forward with the attitude that this is our new reality & we will not let it control our (& especially Colton’s) lives.