And in the wake of Carter's most recent allergic reaction, I've decided to start doing more research on Peanut Allergies in order to gain as much information as I can. Knowledge is power. Right? I'll be posting sites that catch my eye, as I come across them.
A few interesting stats from the news video:
- 1.5 million Americans are allergic to peanuts
- About 100 people die each year from contact with peanuts
- In five years the number of kids allergic to peanuts has doubled to more than 600,000
4 comments:
I have been wondering lately if peanut allergies have increased or if they are better recognized and diagnosed now. I know kids aren't even allowed to bring p&j's to school anymore in some places. When I was a youngster (like that was so long ago) that was the token item in every kid's lunch.
At our kids schools, they have peanut-free zones. No peanut butter anything allowed. This makes some parents mad but when you have a child with severe allegies and/or witness anaphylactic one time, you will understand the precautions. It's a small sacrifice (pb & j sandwiches) for someone's life!!
Anne ~ I believe that they've increased, but that's only my opinion. There weren't as many kids going into anaphylactic shock after coming into contact with PB before. Scientists believe it's more prevalent too.
I know. That's all we ate as kids (except, I didn't. I've never liked PB&J's, believe it or not. Ever.) :) But everyone had them at school. And at home. They're quick and easy!
Each time Carter gets hives, my fear of sending him to school grows. I think it's great that some schools have a peanut-free table. But I think it's awesome if they a peanut free school zone.
Carter seems to be very sensitive to it and my worst fear is having him come in contact with it, say by means of someone elses hands AFTER lunch, once they're back in the classroom. That's all it takes... I'm really scared of sending him to school.
Sue ~ That's so true! (Your words couldn't be more true.)
I remember first hearing about peanut bans at school (this was before Cale or Carter had the allergy) and I thought, that seems so ridiculous! I was ignorant. I had no idea what the big deal was or why everyone else (who didn't have the allergy) had to worry about it and now, unfortunately, I do.
I've apologized to Emily (my sister) up and down for bringing bars with PB to Sara's house AFTER we knew Cale was allergic. I didn't even think about. It completely slipped my mind and I'm her sister! At the time, because I was so clueless, I just figured that we could be careful and wash the kids up after. (And we did). But that's something I still feel so bad about. I just didn't know that sometimes all it takes is the most microscopic amount. Or, in some cases, just the scent of peanuts. And there are so many people out there, who still just don't know. (But "not knowing" can put someone in the hospital).
There really isn't enough awareness out there yet. It's getting there each time another child is diagnosed, but we still have a long way to go. I still know plenty of people who think it isn't a big deal... ;) Or maybe just don't understand it enough...
going off of anne's comment - i think that the peanut allergy is just getting better recognized and diagnosed nowadays. people are getting more and more aware of it and are ruling that into the possiblity list of whats causing the kid/persons reactions.
and going off of sue and jen's comments - i definatly think that a pb&j is a small sacrifice for a non-alergic person, its not like its the only lunch option! it actually wouldnt be a bad idea to make all schools peanut-free because of the severity of some of the allergic reactions hey?
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