Peanut Allergy :-(

Owen had an in-office challenge for peanuts today. Despite having passed the initial SPT (skin prick test) w/ serum & the RAST (blood) test, he failed todays challenge.

Started w/ a skin test w/ fresh peanut butter. The peanut butter was smaller than the histamine, but larger than the control. The nurse educator who was doing the test didn't measure it, said it was basically negative & he just has really sensitive skin. I wasn't convinced, b/c he has never been bigger than the control b/f, but went w/ it.

Started trying the peanut butter every 15 minutes (the first amount was so small it was hard to get it in his mouth, off the tongue depressor). He didn't want it the first time, but asked for more the 2nd time. Had the third amount & then started playing w/ his tongue & itching. Ended up w/ a red rash on the top of his chest & the small bumps on his abdomen becoming more pronounced. His already red cheeks & chin got redder. She gave him Benadryl immediatly. Said she couldn't explain it given all the negative tests, but it was clearly a reaction. Went to draw up the plan & find the Dr.

We were able to see the Dr for a minute. He confirmed that it is unusal to test negative & have a reaction, but that given this reaction & what happened at home we have to consider him allergic. He thinks that it might be something that happens in digestion that creates the allergy for him (similar to what we think happens w/ milk & soy). Makes sense to me & explains why his reactions are delayed compared to what is expected. The difficult thing is since he tests negative, there is no way to monitor his levels except to repeat the challenge.

They are faxing in an Rx for an Epi-pen Jr & she had me practice w/ the trainer. I picked up the Benadryl when we stopped for Owen's treat.

We were told to avoid all peanuts, tree nuts & x-contam.

Owen did awesome, I was so proud of him! And the RN kept thanking me for being so calm & for my existing knowledge. Apparently she usually works w/ a bunch of dummies for parents