Look at this boy. He's adoreable. And kinda bad. But so cute, it gets over looked. And kinda fiesty. But so cute, it also gets overlooked.
He's also allergic to EVERYTHING - and this can not be overlooked. I wish it could. The latest is a PEANUT ALLERGY.
When he turned a year old I gave him his first taste of peanut butter. Minutes later, I notice his cheeks are really, really red and splotchy. I suspected that it was the peanut butter but didn't know for sure. (At this point his skin {particularly his cheeks} had finally begun to heal from chronic exczema that lasted nearly 10 months. He continues even now to have exczema, but no where near as bad as the first year).
Anyway, I decide to avoid the peanut butter for the time being. Then a few months later, I think "maybe it wasn't really the peanut butter" and I attempt it again. I gave him the tiniest piece of a PB & J sandwich and instantly his neck and cheeks get red and then hives (big ones!) start appearing rapidly from the neck up. He is furiously itching at his face too. I give him Benadryl (oh yeah, and I freak out) and in a few minutes it starts to subside. (phew).
So....his doc recommends a visit to the allergist. And it is confirmed that he has a peanut allergy. (Luckily no other nuts, but the allergist says it's likely he can become allergic to all nuts. Awesome.) I'm also instructed to carry an Epi-pen and Benadryl at all times. He described it as a glass of water being filled each time he has a reaction - meaning each one gets worse. He said that 80% of kids do not out grow this and have it forever. (Which means 20% do, and I'm really holding out for that!)
Either way, this whole thing freaks me out a little. Right now, it's not really a big deal because he's always in my care and I'm always the one preparing his food. But come school/preschool age, what am I gonna do???? I'd like to tattoo on his head "I HAVE A PEANUT ALLERGY!!!!" but I think I might get in trouble for that. Of course there's always a permanent marker....haha.
I'm also sad that he'll never enjoy a PB & J sandwich. What kind of a childhood is that? And do you know how hard it is to make a PB & J sandwich and not use the same knife for the jelly jar. Try it. It's not easy to remember. He now has his own jelly jar in the fridge so I can be certain no peanut butter has accidentally gotten into it. It's the only peanut product I have in the house - how do I get rid of it when Caiden and Paige (and my husband) (and me) eat it all the time???
Ohhhhhhhh, it so stresses me. My poor Preston.