[PennsylvaniaMom]

I am truly sorry for your sons' afflication. With the violent reactions noted, has you ped. ever required that they keep an Epipen at the school for their use in an emergency? Or why doesn't the school cafeteria (with the great liability of serving kids who may be allergic) keep an Epi kit in the with first aid supplies?

I am allergic to the iodine in shellfish...I cannot eat any fish due to the risk of cross containination. I also don't eat out (sadly) very often because of the risk of corrupting the integrity of my product by someone who has handles lobster or shrimp. The peanut allergy is five times worse...peanut oil in something as benign and presumed safe as a french fry can cause systemic reactions (worse symp. being the swelling of the trach.) As I noted above, if you don't already have an EpiPen...please get your doc to prescribe it for you.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

PS...to any other iodine allergic (shellfish) FReepers...another suggestion. Get a MedicAlert tag (you have to get the iodine one engraved--for some reason, it is not one that is stocked). But as even topical absorption can cause a near fatal reaction, it is a good idea to have the alert on you in the event you cannot speak for yourself in the ER.

PaMom

[PilloryHillary]

Both kids see an allergist...We have 3 epipens for each kid, the kids go nowhere without one. The youngest has a epipen at the school office. We also keep a healthy supply of benadryl, zyrtec and pepcid on hand. Both kids are allergic to fish and shellfish, so I undertand your concerns about food safety and cross contamination. My oldest son went to Wendy's and had a fried chicken sandwich during Lent....ended up in the ER with a bad attack of hives and anaphylaxis. The Wendy's must have fried the chicken in the same grease as the fish. That's all it takes with some people. Others aren't as sensitive. Needless to say, he doesn't eat out much anymore.