OK, I'm going to ask a question that seems so obvious to me, but no one else has mentioned (I skimmed thru the posts, so I may have missed it). Why are there so many more severe allergy cases now? I'd be trying to find that answer and see what , if anything, could be done about the root causes and turn the tide away from more extreme food allergies. I'm not an expert in this, don't have kids who suffer from it, but am aware of the problem. I don't think I knew a single kid in school that had allergies of any sort when I was growing up. I suppose that could be from blissful ignorance, but I'm guessing kids just weren't allergic.

My sympathies are with those that face these battles daily, so please don't take the next statement out of context. When we really examine what we're asking society to do for this problem, should we really villanize those that don't suffer? We didn't do anything to cause the allergies-at least not knowingly-so why is there the need to change EVERYONE'S diet for a few?

I taught at a small Christian school and we had a student with a severe peanut allergy. Rather than condemn peanutbutter, he had a special place to eat lunch and had a scheduled lunch buddy each day. For that day, that child didn't eat peanutbutter, and the parent's knew a month in advance what day their child was his lunch buddy. It was all presented very positively, like he was super special because no one else got to eat in the library! I felt like this was a good compromise, compassionate to the child's needs without infringing on a universal childhood favorite food. His parents deliberately chose this school because of their willingness to work out a solution for everyone. I realize not everyone is in this situation, but I'll bet with some creative thought a lot more could be.

If a kid has an allergy then they need to have the brains to know to not eat it & be careful at all times!!

With wee ones if they are at your home or a play date or even the park it is the parents job to say my kid can't have this. It's ok to ask, whats in that! or to run around saying "No Peanuts Please" If someone doesn't understand your carefulness them screw them!

At school, the teachers should know who has what & be the responsiable party. If a kid has an allergy then I think the school should have the right to ask parents to not send that (for airborn only, all other allergies need to just know to not pop anything in their maouth unless they know whats in it!) & if they do bring something, well then maybe that kid should be the one sitting alone across the room?

OK so should we eliminate Wheat, eggs, dairy, peanuts, shellfish, and everything else just in case we might endanger a child who has an allergy to one of these?

I agree that there is an age where a child should be able to know and understand what allergies they have an to be aware of the enviornment they are in. My nephew is 7 and has been able to tell us since he was 4 what allergies he has. He is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, and a long list of other things like grass, etc. My children eat peanut butter, peanuts, almonds, pistachios and a lot of other nuts. They have no allergies. Should I eliminate these items when he comes? Should I rid my fridge of dairy products for a playdate? Should I not use wheat bread for my child's sandwhich just in case some kid at school has an allergy?

It is SAFE to say that NO mother wants to endanger another childs life, but what limits can we set where we are not infringing on those who do not have allergies. I have no idea what the answer to that is I am just putting it out there. I hear both sides and I totally understand because my nephew has allergies and I see all she and he go through. He is happy, healthy and thankfully has not had a reaction since he was 4 and he is now 7.

New to this site/list. Several points to make:

1) Autoinjectible epinephrine is easy to use, could save a life and should not be feared. It is quite possible that epinephrine could prevent longer lasting symptoms such as hives and itching. Always good to remember: Benedryl cures hives, Epinephrine saves lives and epineprine should be the first line of defense in an anaphylactic emergency.

2) I think that middle school is when both food allergic students and their peers are aware of the impact of their actions and their environment and are able to advocate for themselves. A 5 yo won't tell a teacher no when that teacher tells them to pick up their neighbors peanut butter sandwich off the floor.

3) I have not had the pleasure of having my daughter attend a peanut-free school (she sits at a peanut-/tree nut' free table and this has put a damper on her social life) but we have always requested and received a peanut-free room, but always being prepared for a slip. Most parents realize that it is nearly impossible to achieve 100% compliance due to human nature (no one is perfect) and unless lunches and snacks are inspected daily (which I understand happens in some schools), it is likely that someday someone will send peanuts. But having the other safeguards in place (e.g., not sharing food, safe food sent from home, nonfood celebrations, washing or wiping hands after eating, having emergency meds available) means that everyone is ready if there is a slip (at least I hope they are). It is all about reducing risk and being inclusive.

There are some kids for which environmental exposures pose a risk. And that is where a school community has to trust the family and their doctor, and the parents of the food allergic child need to make their requests based on the evaluation and recommendations of a board certified allergist.

I have actively lobbied nutrition services staff member in my district and state to consider Celiac disease as a life-threatening condition, in which case nutrition services would have to provide gluten-free meals and celiac students would receive protection under the ADA; my understanding is that this varies from state to state. I have two children, both intolerant to dairy, gluten and eggs (did not test positive for Celiac blood test, but they are intolerant by other tests) and one of them has a life-threatening peanut allergy. I live on both sides of this celiac/life-threatening peanut allergy debate, and we don't have a positive celia test which makes it even harder..

4) The following foods are the major cause of life-threatening food induced anaphylaxis: dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, wheat, soy and fish. Seed allergies seem to be increasing. Peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish cause the highest number of fatalities. See www.foodallergy.org or www.foodallergyinitiative.org

javamommy, as you are a fellow parent of a child with a severe sensitivity to certain foods, I was saddened to see your attitude toward those with nut allergies. I feel for all children with severe food sensitivities (I do know a little girl with celiac disease) and am willing to go out of my way to try to accommodate all of them in any way I can. Instead of resenting the strides that parents of those with nut allergies have made in schools (which is still not enough in many schools), why not try to use that as a jumping off point for modifications for your child in her school?

Related to momof2...

I must seem very selfish when it's put in that light...and I might agree. It's really unfortunate that any child has to be in such a situation...I couldn't imagine. But now I have a better sense of what people are dealing with and will definitely support and be mindful of peanut free efforts. Thanks for showing me the other side of the coin. I think that's what makes these message boards such a great resource.