Major Breakthrough in EoE Research

Researchers report a that a major breakthrough has been made as to the cause of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).  According to Nature Genetics, eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder associated with allergic hypersensitivity to food.

According to aaaai.org , "the symptoms of EoE vary with age. In infants and toddlers, you may notice that they refuse their food or are not growing properly. School-age children often have recurring abdominal pain, trouble swallowing or vomiting. 

Teenagers and adults most often have difficulty swallowing. The esophagus can narrow to the point that food gets stuck. "

What are Eosinophilic Disorders? Click here (link updated 2016)

I received an email today (2014) from FARE News reporting on the EoE research. Read it below:

"Researchers report that they have discovered the cause of eosinophilic eophagitis (EoE), a hard-to-treat food allergy. In EoE, large numbers of white blood cells, known as eosinophils, accumulate in the lining of the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach), causing chronic inflammation. 

Led by a team at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, investigators have found a new genetic and molecular pathway in the esophagus. This discovery, reported online today in Nature Genetics, opens the door to new therapies for EoE, which has been diagnosed in a growing number of children and adults over the past decade.

The study found that EoE is triggered by the interplay between epithelial cells, which help form the lining of the esophagus, and a gene called CAPN14.

“In a nutshell, we have used cutting-edge genomic analysis of patient DNA, as well as gene and protein analysis, to explain why people develop EoE,” says Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, senior investigator on the study. “This is a major breakthrough for this condition .... Our results are immediately applicable to EoE and have broad implications for understanding eosinophilic disorders as well as allergies in general.”

The study was funded, in part, by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with additional support from other organizations, including FARE."

For an explanation of EoE, click here. 

For the research report published in Nature Genetics click here. 

Sources:

FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education)

Nature Genetics

AAAAI 

Peanut Allergy Treatment Continues To Be Success

Life with a peanut allergy can be scary; however,I have good news. Our son Alexander has been desensitized to his peanut allergy. It is true! Through the use of Food Oral Immunotherapy,
Alexander was treated in 2011 by Dr. Richard Wasserman.
Five years after its inception, this program continues to be successful with over 190 patients desensitized to various food allergies including milk allergy, egg allergy and tree nut allergy.
I welcome you to my blog, Just A Little Peanut for more information.
Click here to read a progress report on Alexander.

Alexander on the day of his 24 Peanut challenge and graduation -2011

Here is an excerpt from the October 7, 2013 issue of the Dallas Allergy Immunology Newsletter 

"Have You Heard?

Food Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) is an emerging treatment for food allergy that is offered
at Dallas Food Allergy Center (DFAC)/Dallas Allergy Immunology.

This treatment desensitizes patients to their allergenic food and at the end of treatment
most patients eat the food on a daily basis. We have offered this treatment for over 5 years now
and 190 DFAC patients are now eating their previously allergenic food!

Food OIT is offered for the treatment of peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, soy, and sesame allergy."

In prior posts we have detailed Alexanders treatment and many other topics. We hope our blog is helpful to you.

Peanut desensitization has been a great blessing for our son and our family. 

To God be the Glory!

-Julie

PEANUT ALLERGY TREATMENT - INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM with WORLDWIDE INTEREST

Peanut allergies and food allergies are an International concern. They know no borders. 
It's one world  where the effects of living with food allergies cross all boundaries. 
Food allergic individuals and parents of food allergic kids worldwide are desperately seeking help for their children or themselves. 
For more information read my post "Peanut and Food Allergies". 


Since launching my blog last year I have been surprised by the International composition of my audience and their ability to find to my rather obscure blog.
As of today this blog has received visitors from over 67 countries which are listed at the end of this post.
The international scope of interest in peanut allergy and food allergy problems is evidenced by the diverse audience that has read this blog. 

Although I have not fully kept track of every visitor's country,the geographic dispersion of the audience is fascinating.

The audience is from 6 Continents and such diverse cultures as Greenland, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Nepal, Nigeria, New Zealand and Qatar. It is an intriguing list.

Thus far the majority of my posts have been about the dreaded peanut allergy. 
Why?  The answer is simple. 
My son Alexander is undergoing treatment for his life-threatening allergy to peanuts.
The new treatment is cutting-edge and very successful thus far. 
Currently Alexander is in the "maintenance phase" of treatment. He is officially "desensitized" to peanuts. 
Alexander ingests 8 peanuts per day (unless he forgets- scary but true). Thus far there are been no reactions or complications. 
Explore my blog to read the entire story. 
It is truly an amazing experience to see my son eat peanuts. Due to the life-threatening nature of his allergy we are used to altering our lives to strictly avoid peanuts. 
Stories abound about the lifestyle changes that must occur in order to survive life with a dangerous food allergy.

So I write this blog to help others with peanut and food allergies and to spread the good news that real treatment is finally available for Peanut, Milk, Egg and Wheat allergies. Click here for more information. 

Yes, access to treatment is currently limited unless people have the determination, time and resources to travel to the few places offering a treatment program or clinical trial. 

Research is ongoing and there are new treatments on the horizon for peanut allergies. Subscribe my email to be notified of future posts.

67 Countries - as of 10/24/11
United States  
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Greenland   (57,564 pop.)
Hong Kong
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Japan
Kuwait
Latvia
Lithuania  (newest country on the list)
Malaysia
Mexico
Moldova 
Mozambique
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Quatar
Romania
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Ukraine
Uruguay
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Vietnam


TOP 10 COUNTRIES- (in order of highest number of page views) are:
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Romania, India, Phillippines, Germany, New Zealand and France

Peanut Allergic Teen Officially DESENSITIZED to PEANUTS

On April 12,2011 my son Alexander, who is deathly allergic to peanuts, was officially declared "DESENSITIZED". 


The term sounds like a condition out of a science fiction movie void of feeling and sterile. 
It actually befits our situation as Alexander experienced No Reaction to the ingestion of peanuts during the entire OIT process.


So you may ask "how did we achieve this?" Dr. Wasserman and his staff, especially Angela Galucci,P.A. are the medical heroes making history with their Oral Immunotherapy program.
Our part was being a willing and dedicated participant in the Dallas Allergy Immunology oral immunotherapy program (OIT) for peanuts.


It is important to note that Dr.Wasserman also offers OIT for milk, wheat and egg allergies.
It is surprising the talk to other patients and discover that many peanut allergic people are also allergic to one or more of these other food allergies.


Alexander was not only brave to agree to ingest peanuts to which he is deathly allergic 
(you should read his testing results in a previous post)
but he followed all the rules and requirements with little complaint other than cringing at the mere thought of having to take his distasteful dose.
Yes he also mastered the art of delay when it came to taking his dose. I've heard many funny stories from other patients whose children have taken the slow-playing of dose taking to a new creative high.


As for our journey since April 12th with Alexander's " maintenance dose" of peanuts, I will write a future post on his progress.


I want to thank Dr.Wasserman and his staff for all of their encouragement, candor and support. 


This program is a real breakthrough for everyone who suffers from the dreaded peanut allergy.
I implore you to investigate this program for yourself.  
Read past posts and comments and do your own research. 
Helpful links are on the right side of my blog.


As an expression of our joy and excitement for becoming "desensitized to peanuts" we want to express our prayerful thanks to God our Father for his many blessings 
and
as we say in Texas "yeehaw".

Lupine Allergy. A Danger for the Peanut Allergic traveling To Europe

Lupine allergy and peanut allergy- is there a link?
On my page "Where Is the Peanut Hiding?"   I list items that pose a hidden danger to people allergic to peanuts. A rather obscure food called Lupin is quickly becoming a more commonly used ingredient and food, especially in Europe and the Mediterranean region.  
(also Australia, USA, Canada, South America,)
WARNING- Unfortunately many peanut allergic individuals can have an allergic reaction to lupin.

What is Lupin?
Lupinus, commonly called lupine in the U.S. or lupin in Europe and Australia, is a common garden plant genus in the legume family, related to legumes such as peanuts,lentils,beans and peas. There are many different types of lupin. The majority of lupin is used for animal feed. "Sweet lupine" varieties are used in foods.

Some lupin varieties produce seeds which are used in foods.
Lupin seed are high in protein and have the full range of essential amino acids.

Lupin in Food
Lupin Flour 
In many mainland European countries, particularly Italy and France, lupin flour and /or peanut flour may be mixed with Wheat flour in baked goods and pasta. Common uses include bread, pizza, pasta, cookies, cereals, gluten-free products, biscuits, onion rings, tomato sauce, chicken bouillon cubes

Soy Alternative  

Lupin seeds are being recognized as a cheaper alternative to soy, becoming a more popular replacement for soy in recipes and other products. 

Fat Replacement in Food  

Lupine may be added to food as a fat replacement. (U.S. manufacturers will love this).  Researchers in Europe have found new uses for Lupin in low-fat products. 

Think low-fat sausage, low-fat ice cream, cream cheese and low-fat baked goods.

Lupini Beans

In the Mediterranean the yellow legume seed of lupins are called lupini beans.
Popular since Roman times, these beans are often soaked in brine and sold in jars like pickles. They are often eaten as a snack. Cento, an Italian manufacturer sells jars of Lupini Beans. You can find them right here in the United States.  Lupini Beans are very popular in Italy
- of course that is where we will be traveling with our peanut allergic son this summer. 
You can buy a paper cone of lupini beans from a street vendor in Rome.

Lupini Beans are popular as appetizers in many countries including Egypt, Syria. Called "altramuz" in Spain and Argentina and in Italy and Portugal called "tremoços"

Tremocos or Lupini Beans

Lebanon call "termos". Turkey and Egypt call "tirmis".

Tirmis sold by street vendor in Egypt

Restaurants
Lupini Beans are incorporated into foods served in restaurants in many countries.
They are used in Soups, Stews, Salads, and Entrees plus Hummus where lupine beans can replace chick peas.
Germany

Newly bred variants of "sweet lupins" are widely grown in Germany. The seeds are used in sausages, lupi-tofu and lupin flour. 

Gluten-Free Products

Although mostly unknown by American consumers, lupin is used in the U.S. in many gluten-free and high-protein products. It is not widely used in the U.K.

Lupin Fiber used in South America
Extracted from the grain shell of lupin and used in South American for cereal bars,sausages,bakery products, food supplements and extruded products

Lupin may cause an allergic reaction if you have a peanut allergy ranging from Hives to anaphylactic reactions.


TRAVELING TO EUROPE- 
We are traveling to Italy and France this summer. What should I do in order to protect my son? 
We do not know if he is allergic to lupin.  I feel I should have him tested, but "where o where" will I ever find the so far obscure lupini bean in the U.S. much less in Texas. Seriously!
I went into "protective parent" mode and did my research to find lupini beans locally.  I felt in had seen them somewhere....I had the picture of a jar in my head.
YES- success!  Central Market, to their surprise, carries them. I will hop in the car today to purchase them.
Food labeling rules in the EU require pre-packed food sold in the UK or the rest of the European Union (EU) to show clearly on the label if  a product contains lupin (or if one of its ingredients contains it). Lupin has been approved for use in bread flour in Europe since 1997.
Thus I think we will be able to avoid the danger of "packaged food" by reading the labels.

If Alexander proves to be allergic to lupin, the big problem for us will probably be restaurant food and their use of lupini beans or lupin containing foods such a bread and pasta.  Even tomato sauce can contain lupine flour. Ugh!

Plan of Action?
1) See if  our allergist can test our son for an allergy to lupine.
2) See if the jarred of lupini beans will work or if I have to source the raw beans.  I have read online about the difficulty in soaking and cooking these beans so I do hope I won't have to be "chef mom".
3) Order Select Wisely food allergy translation cards for use on our European holiday.

HELP -I have many Europeans who read this blog. I need your help. If you know of foods that contain lupine please tell me using the Comment box below.
Thank you so very much- Julie

Sources  http://www.lupins.org/lupins/
Food Standards Agency http://www.food.gov.uk/ , http://www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2010-2011/13/low-fat-lupin-proteins.jsp, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.200900365/abstract
http://www.vilher.com.mx/en/productos.php?categoria_id=6&producto_id=53
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/lupine.html

Food Allergies Can Be DEADLY- Make A DIFFERENCE During Food Allergy Awareness Week

Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW) is coming May 8-14, 2011. There are many things each of us can do to promote awareness of food allergies. Click on the link above to read all about it. 
You can also follow us on twitter http://www.twitter.com/PeanutBlog 


You can have an impact. Request a proclamation from your state governor. Texas is the only state so far to formally recognize FAAW this year. You can "Like" FAAN on Facebook. 
You could contact local media with this press release from FAAN.
There are lots of ideas on their website.  Below is their cute new video for FAAW.
Why is this important to me?
My son has a severe peanut allergy. The good news is he is being TREATED with success using oral immunotherapy. We began treatment in December 2010 and as of this week he is eating 12 peanuts a day. Click here to read an explanation. Also treated are Milk, Egg and Wheat allergies.

MILK ALLERGY TREATMENT NOW AVAILABLE

Milk Allergy Treatment is now Available. Read one mother's story.
On December 2,2010 Ann Pask and her son Eric began a new treatment, oral immunotherapy, for Eric's severe MILK Allergy. My son Alexander began treatment for his life threatening PEANUT Allergy at the same time. Click here to view my post regarding Treatment Day 1. You van follow us on twitter
www.twitter.com/PeanutBlog

Ann is my first guest contributor. Here is her story, thus far.

Julie:
Well, the sleet is pelting down on the skylight in our master bathroom, and I can’t sleep.  So, thought I’d spend a few minutes thinking about milk allergies!  So, here goes!
-Ann

MILK ALLERGIES

My 10-year-old son, Eric, has life-threatening food allergies to milk, eggs, fish and shellfish.  Prior to his birth, I was blissfully unaware of the impact food allergies could have on a child and the family.  My daughter Rachel, now 13, thankfully does not have any food allergies.  I remember cautiously giving her peanut butter as a toddler, and asking her Mother’s Day Out teacher if any child had a peanut allergy before packing a PB&J.  I also remember the joy of eating ice cream and pizza with her (now forbidden foods), and even the first time she ate mussels when she was about 18 months old.  Then along came my son.

MILK DESENSITIZATION

According to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, about 80 percent of children outgrow milk allergy by age 16.  But my son’s blood test scores increased every year, and we feared he might be in the minority that didn’t outgrow the allergy.  I would have dreams (nightmares really) that I had to bake his milk-free, egg-free wedding cake!  That’s why we chose to try milk desensitization.  Eric has been the only child in school who can’t eat pizza for so long, and I want him to at least be able to eat pizza in high school or college!

We began his milk desensitization on December 2, 2010.  It started with an 8-hour day at the allergist’s office.  There were 3 boys starting desensitization that day.  Eric was starting milk, a 15-year-old boy was starting peanut, and a 17-year-old boy was starting egg.  They had name tags that read “milk,” “egg,” and “peanut,” which I found humorous!
Over the course of the day, Eric ingested minute amounts of cow’s milk in a solution of 1 part milk and 29 parts water.  They boys received their “dose” every 15 minutes, until 26 total doses were given.  I’m not sure how much milk he actually got by the end of the day, but I know it wasn’t much.  But thankfully, he did not have a reaction.  At one point, he got nervous so we slowed down a little bit, but overall it went very smoothly.

Since that initial day, we have gone back to the allergist once a week to increase the dose.  The first several weeks, he drank the water/milk solution.  But by the 6th week, I was asked to purchase straight whole organic cow’s milk — something I thought I would never do for my son!  He was given 1 milliliter of cow’s milk, and all went smoothly.  The dose increases have gone as follows:  1 ml, 2 ml, 3 ml, 4 ml, 6 ml, and we just started 8 ml (about 1 1/2 teaspoon).  We have had a couple of incidents, but not too serious.  The first reaction occurred just a couple of weeks into the desensitization.  I gave him the cow’s milk, and about 2 minutes later he started sneezing uncontrollably.  I told the doctor he looked like I would in a room full of cats!  He never had trouble breathing, but he was miserable with constant sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, etc.  I watched him very closely, and after about 1 1/2 hours I could tell he was starting to get better.  Thankfully, that has not happened again.  And recently about 30 minutes after his morning milk dose, he felt nauseous.  I had to take him to school, so I asked the nurse to check on him, and after an hour he was fine.  Apparently, nausea is not uncommon.
We are thankful to be proceeding so smoothly.  If all goes well, he will be up to 240 (about 8 ounces) of milk by June.
I have asked the school principal if we could have a pizza and ice cream party for his grade, and of course she said yes!
I’m saying a prayer it works, and keeping my fingers crossed too!
-Author, Ann Pask

Read more about this new Milk Allergy Treatment below.
Our son Alexander and Eric Pask continue to be successfully treated for their respective food allergies at Dallas Allergy Immunology (DAI).
Alexander is now eating 12 Peanuts per day as part of the treatment.
Eric Pask is ingesting 9 teaspoons of milk.

UPDATE-December 2012.
Both Alexander (for peanut Alletgy) and Eric (for Milk Allergy) have successfully completed treatment and are "desensitized" to their allergies. Check out
the rest of my Blog for more information.

Many more patients have now been successfully treated for their Milk Allergy since the original publishing if this post.
The treatment is WORKING!!

DAI also treats Egg,Wheat,Soy and other Nut allergies (2012).
The following except printed in green is from the original post of this story.
As per DAI website the DAI website.


DallasAllergyImmunology is pleased to announce a new oral immunotherapy program that provides a long-term solution for wheat, egg, peanut and milk allergic patients. At the end of this 5-6 month program patients with wheat, egg, peanut or milk allergy will be able to consume these foods with no allergic reactions. The program introduces minute doses of wheat, egg, peanut or milk in solution over a period of three to four months. The program then progresses to small doses of the whole food for an additional two to three months, resulting in tolerance to these foods allowing the children to consume wheat, eggs, peanuts and/or milk without any adverse reactions.
We have a number of children who have graduated from the program and are now eating eggs, and peanuts or drinking milk without reactions. This program is designed for a child of school age or older who will be old enough to understand the reasons for participating and be actively engaged in the process.

Food Allergies, Clinical Trials & Peanut Allergy Treatment. Video of Interview on NBC New York Nightly News with Dr. Scott Sicherer

1 in 25 children in the United States have a food allergy according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).


Watch an interview below by Chuck Scarborough NBC news anchor, of Dr. Scott Sicherer and Judy Slotkin. Dr. Sicherer is the Chief of the Division on Allergy and Immunology in the Department of Pediatrics at the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute which is part of Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He is  also a clinician and clinical researcher in the Jaffe Institute. Judy Slotkin is amother of 2 food allergic children and wife of FAI Chairman, Todd Slotkin.

Dr. Sicherer talks about food allergies and clinical trials. The Jaffe Food Allergy Institute e was established in 1997. Their pioneering work in every area of food-allergic disorders is cutting-edge. The Institute is directed by Hugh A. Sampson,M.D., who is recognized internationally for his work in the field of food allergy.


Mrs. Slotkin discusses her experiences with food allergies and the work of FAI (The Food Allergy Initiative). Her twins are participating in a food allergy clinical trial at Mount Sinai.

Peanut Allergy- Life Threatening- My son,Alexander,is receiving full Treatment for his peanut allergy as opposed to a clinical trial. Clinical trials are vital and lead to the types of advances in care and treatment such as the new treatment my son is receiving.

As part of his treatment my son is currently EATING 10 peanuts a day with no adverse reaction.
His initial dose was 1/1000 of a peanut. Click here to read about the first day then click here to read Peanut Allergic Teen Easts A Whole Peanut.

FAI is a fantastic organization that raises funds for research into food allergies. 
To learn about FAI's efforts to find a cure, visit Helpful LInks section on the right side of my blog Just A Little Peanut.
Look for Food Allergy Initiative.  


I hope my post is helpful to you- Julie Brice Beiersdorf

Food Allergies Increasing Among Children

How common are food allergies in U.S. children? 

According to new data published by the National Center for Health Statistics division of the Center for Disease Control (CDC),

1 out of every 25 children has a food allergy in the U.S., representing about a 20% increase between 1997 to 2007.

The study also showed that hospitalizations of children due to food allergy reactions in the U.S. have significantly increased since 1998, with an average of 9,537 hospitalizations a year. 

The CDC study also found that children with a food allergy are more likely to have asthma or other allergic conditions.

I always thought there was a link between my children's food allergies and their asthma. My mother's instinct is proven.

This is very disturbing data but there is hope.

Treatment for Peanut, Milk, Egg and Wheat allergies is now available.  

Click here to read more posts about treatment.

My son is currently being successfully treated for his peanut allergy.

Click here to read an article on the CDC data published by the The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network ( FAAN) 

Click here To view a complete copy of the CDC study.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Are FOOD ALLERGIES CONSIDERED DISABILITIES under the American's with Disabilities Act

Are food allergies considered "disabilities" by law under the American's With Disabilities Act? (ADA).
YES.
The following is the current text of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), including changes made by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-325), which became effective on January 1, 2009.  

Sec. 12102. Definition of disability

As used in this chapter:

(1) Disability

The term "disability" means, with respect to an individual;

(A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual

(B) a record of such an impairment; or

(C) being regarded as having such an impairment (as described in paragraph (3)

To learn more about the ADA, click here to visit the ADA website. To read the current version of the ADA click here.  Note- it is very long and detailed.


Here is an excerpt from an article published by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) that addresses this important question.
"a person with a disability is described as someone who has a physical or mental   impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or is regarded as having such impairments. 
Breathing, eating, working and going to school are "major life activities." Asthma and allergies are still considered disabilities under the ADA, even if symptoms are controlled by medication."

Click here to read the AAFA article which was updated in 1995.

To read more about Treatment for Peanut, Milk, Egg and Wheat allergies click here 
for my posts on Just A Little Peanut- food allergy blog. 

PEANUT,MILK, EGG ALLERGY TREATMENT EXPLAINED

Our son Alexander is being treated for his peanut allergy as Dallas Allergy Immunology (DAI). The treatment is desensitization using oral immunotherapy. Click here to read "Peanut Allergic Teenager EATS a Peanut".

 Treatment is also offered for Milk, Egg and Wheat allergies. 
(UPDATE Feb 2012- Soy and Tree Nuts treatment now offered)

To learn more about treatment for these 4 food allergies read the following excerpt printed in green is from the DAI website

DallasAllergyImmunology is pleased to announce a new oral immunotherapy program that provides a long-term solution for wheat, egg, peanut and milk allergic patients. At the end of this 5-6 month program patients with wheat, egg, peanut or milk allergy will be able to consume these foods with no allergic reactions. The program introduces minute doses of wheat, egg, peanut or milk in solution over a period of three to four months. The program then progresses to small doses of the whole food for an additional two to three months, resulting in tolerance to these foods allowing the children to consume wheat, eggs, peanuts and/or milk without any adverse reactions.

We have a number of children who have graduated from the program and are now eating eggs, and peanuts or drinking milk without reactions. This program is designed for a child of school age or older who will be old enough to understand the reasons for participating and be actively engaged in the process.

Click here for detailed information on the Dallas Allergy website.

I will regularly post on this blog -

1)  information on Alexander's progress as his continues his Peanut allergy treatment.  

2) research on food allergies

3) information on Egg, Milk and Wheat allergies and their treatment

4) relevant news

5) helpful links

6) food allergy news out of Europe and other countries 

7) whatever I can think of that may help or be relevant to the subjects mentioned above

Click here to go to our Homepage. Click the FOLLOW button at top of the right section of the blog to keep up with all the news. 
You can follow us on TWITTER http://twitter.com/PeanutBlog

I pray this information is encouraging and helpful to you- Julie Brice Beiersdorf

Shucking PEANUTS for Alexander's Big Day

I can barely believe it myself but in a few hours Alexander will get to EAT A PEANUT!  
Click here to see prior post regarding treatment delays

In preparation for this momentous occasion I was instructed to arrive for our weekly appointment at Dallas Allergy Immunology with my one whole peanut.
I asked "what kind of peanut?" Do I buy a jar of Planters roasted peanuts and use one of those peanuts?

If so, what size? Peanuts vary from small to jumbo sized. Of course the Planters option would have been way too easy. Unfortunately Planters peanut brand is cross contaminated with almonds. Alexander's blood test leads Dr. Wasserman to think my son may have an allergy to almonds therefore roasted peanut that is in a shell. That turned out to be quite an endeavor.

Last week I bought a bag of roasted peanuts in the shell.

I did not want them in the house but the garage was not an option due to the temperature. I placed the bag of peanuts in a gallon size freezer bag and then into 2 layers of plastic bags. I wanted to seal off the peanut fumes. I stashed the peanut package in the back of the closet where it loomed undetected for a week.

Tonight I shucked peanuts or is that called shelling peanuts? (I think corn gets shucked).
Either way I thought "what am I doing? I am endangering my child with the fumes alone."

I sequestered myself behind closed doors in the laundry room and removed the huge bag of peanuts from it's wrappings. I opened the bag of peanuts and the fumes were strong. In order to minimize peanut debris and peanut dust from escaping into the room I used a large plastic shopping bag and proceeded to shell the peanuts at the bottom of the bag. That proved difficult.

Carefully shelling at the very bottom of a large bag

It took a lot of shelling to result in only a few whole peanuts

Shelling was an challenge. It's not easy! The shells crack and send pieces of shell everywhere. Extracting a whole peanut intact has a success rate of 25%. Just when I thought "yes I got a whole peanut" it split in half.  And so does the next peanut and the next....Seriously!  I need Whole peanut.

It was actually quite comical. Picture a scene from the I Love Lucy Show.
The peanut dust is flying everywhere! My hands are covered in peanut dust. The dust had lodged itself under every fingernails. I should have worn gloves! I then creep out of the room to retrieve the plastic gloves from the kitchen, touching nothing along my path. Of course I find an empty glove box!

I am totally contaminated. Where is the lent roller when you need it?  I want to burn my clothes. I wore the wrong clothes for the project. Black corduroy pants and a black sweater which probably sucked up peanut dust. I have a broken wrist and I realize my black Velcro brace probably smells like essence of peanut.

I am a walking danger zone for my son.   Next time I'll wear a hazmat suit!  
There must be a better way.

Click here for Peanut Oral Immunotherapy FAQ's. Very informative.

Share your food allergies stories. Email your stories to salt.light.truth@gmail.com and 

I will post them on the blog. 

There is a world out there waiting for information, help or encouragement.

Here is my meager whole peanut "harvest"