Profile: ruthls
This is ruthls's Profile page. Use it to view ruthls's comments, other users' replies to these comments, and comments ruthls has endorsed.
What's Happening Now
Thanks for the information Ruth. Do you think that the regulation should address EpiPens to avoid any potential problems?
Have others had similar or different experiences with EpiPens?
As allergies are not genetic, it is extremely unlikely (try impossible) that you and you child have the same allergy. Also, while unpleasant, your child’s reaction was not life threatening. Many children have these mild reactions to various foods – my daughter used to get a rash if she ate strawberries. The sensitivity fades, usually by age 4. The key is not to freak out about it. I bet you are the same mom who rushes to the emergency room for every bump and bruise too. The perception of an increase in severe allergies is just that – a perception. This generation of parents just can’t seem to let their kids grow up normally – which includes a few bumps, bruises, hives, etc. Peanuts ARE NOT going to kill anyone. They should not be banned.
No comments
In the interest of full disclosure, I am an allergy sufferer, mom to a child with multiple life threatening food allergies (peanut included) and founder of BestAllergySites.com.
In regards to the questions asked:
1. Likelihood of reaction: I don’t know that anyone (allergist or not) can say with 100% confidence whether someone might have a reaction from peanut dust. All individuals and allergies are different. An allergic reaction is an immune system response. If an individuals immune system is compromised, they might have a more severe reaction then they would have otherwise. There “have” been reactions in situations where a person is exposed to a large amount of airborne peanut protein when multiple bags of peanuts are opened at once. For instance: at a ball park. I only… more »
My son had what we consider an anaphylactic reaction in flight at around the age of 2 from picking up his toy on the plane floor and then rubbing his eyes. His eyes immediately swelled, he started coughing and crying. Hives developed and so on. We can only guess that there was peanut dust on the floor.
2. Steps airlines should take: all allergic passengers should have/carry and be able to carry on board–epinephrine (EpiPen). Planes should also have them on flight due to reactions where 1. someone doesn’t have theirs 2. first time reaction in someone who didn’t know they were allergic. An EpiPen is not enough however. Allergic reactions can and may come back and patients usually need to be watched in a hospital for 4-6 hours following a reaction. Some may need IV treatment or other medications.
3. Should any foods containing peanut be restricted: In my opinion, all obvious peanut containing foods should be restricted–peanuts, peanut butter, peanut cookies, etc. The other products are not necessarily a concern from a dust standpoint but from a contact standpoint. Some individuals are allergic by touching a surface with peanut protein and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Most kids do this and even adults rub their eyes. Peanut oil is “usually” so highly processed that no peanut protein remains–so that might not be an issue. Obviously there are always exceptions to the rule. Items labeled “may contain peanuts” or “processed in a facility w/ peanuts” would more than likely be too difficult to ban.
I think the biggest issues are 1. peanut protein in dust from opening bags of peanuts. Solution-no bagged peanuts on flight. 2. Cross contamination on surfaces from prior passengers with peanut products. Examples are trays, floors, arm rests windows, etc. Solutions-a.Thorough cleanings between flights of ALL surfaces, b. banning all peanut containing products, c. adding a peanut buffer zone–but it must be peanut safe/free 100% of the time or completely cleaned.
Honestly–bottom line is going 100% peanut free/safe is the easiest and safest solution for all. There are a million other foods and snacks to eat. These allergies can be severe and life threatening. The only instance where I can personally see a potential actual “need” for peanut/peanut butter is in the rare case that it is a “medical need” for a passenger due to their diet or a disability.In that case–I think there should be accommodations put in place for those passengers.
I’m completely aware of the strong feelings and opinions a “ban” brings forth. Having a child and having seen a child suffer a life threatening reaction is not something I wish on anyone. Experiencing that in mid air with no access to an ambulance, ER or Dr. is beyond words.
While peanut allergies and reactions are not necessarily common–they are by all means not uncommon and certainly not rare. We live in a society and as a society we often have to make accommodations for each other. « less
I posted a full comment above but wanted to comment regarding EpiPens.
We always carry a doctors note with us stating that our son needs his EpiPen. We’ve never been asked for the note and our EpiPens have never been taken, mentioned, or checked. We fly out of Logan Boston and Manchester NH. We’ve never flown with EpiPens out of country.
I don’t consider the needle to be that large. I guess it depends upon your definition of large. It’s certainly not long. Could an EpiPen be considered a security threat? Probably not but I guess anything is possible if the person knows how to use it in such a way. I can’t even imagine what that would be.
I don’t know whether the regulation should address EpiPens or not. How are other medications treated, like insulin for diabetics for instance? I think they should all fall under the same category.