Please help, RE almond allergy

[rugratsX2]

This week we learned the hard way that my baby is severely allergic to almonds. I knew to be careful with peanut butter, but I never knew there were "tree nuts" and "ground nuts." So being as she has had peanut butter many times, I did not realize that there were other things I had to watch out for. Five hours in an ER watching your baby struggle to breathe is a hard lesson to learn.
Anyway, now that I have to be an avid label reader, I was wondering if anyone knows offhand which products have almonds and almond traces? I have to watch out for the ones that say "Processed in a plant that produces nuts." Any help would be appreciated.

[Kyla Kym]

Oh how horrible that must have been for all of you! (((((((rugratsX2))))))))
I noticed not to long ago that a can of these stick type cookies we got at Big Lot's said on the back of the can that it has trace amounts of nuts because it had been made in the same plant. I thought that was odd they put that there. But now I see why!

[LitWtch]

ANY Hershey's products :(. All their confections are made on machines which come in contact with nuts.
You'll also want to carry a supply of baby wipes - use these to clean the surfaces of chairs and tables used while you are out, including the seats. Or you can carry disposible plastic bibs, but they slide around.

[Donnagg123]

http://www.allergyfacts.org.au/what_5.html

If your child has a peanut allergy it's safer to avoid all nut products. Sometimes peanuts will be sitting near other nuts in the production line or processed with other nuts and contamination may occur as a result of this practice.

The following foods commonly cause problems for the peanut/nut allergic when eating out and should be avoided unless they can positively confirm that there is no peanut/nut protein present: African, Chinese, and Thai dishes, baked goods (pastries, cookies, etc), candy, chilli, sauces, toppings and gravy (apparently peanut butter is used as a shortening or oil in some recipes for gravy or sauces). Peanut sauce has also been used as a secret ingredient for marinating. It is recommended not to eat out at all, unless you are 100% sure that there are no peanut or nut products used in the preparation.

Satay (peanut sauce) chicken and other meats are often cooked on Bar-B-Q's. Cook your child's food on alfoil to be sure no other food comes in contact with it. You could ask restaurants to cook your child's food the same way

It is important to read the ingredients at all times and ask for information from the manufacturers about food, household and cosmetic products. It is not uncommon to find arachis oil (peanut oil) or almond oil in sunblock creams, ointments, lotions, etc, that your child might be exposed to. Information on Hidden Ingredients

Halloween and Christmas present an increased risk for a nut anaphylactic child. With all the excitement of the festivities others may forget the special needs of the child. Small "trick o' treats" or bags of "goodies" given to the child must be checked. It is important to take the time to explain to your child in a casual fashion that there may be some treats they will be unable to eat. Remind your child that even children that do not have allergies do not get to eat all their lollies and plan to trade the "forbidden" treats with the safe ones when your child gets home.

When buying fresh food (chicken, meats, etc) be aware that the shop assistants may have been handling food that present a risk to your child. For instance if the shop assistant's previous customer had bought satay chicken, it is quite likely that the assistant's gloves will still have satay sauce on them. To be certain that your food is not contaminated, request that the shop assistant put on a new pair of gloves. Also check that the food is not lying side by side with food that is likely to contaminate the food you are buying.

[rugratsX2]

Thank you all. :) I NEVER want to have to go through that again!

[mlathroum]

EMELLE Watch your child. My older boy was allergic to Milk at 6months also. We thought he outgrew it. Then as he has gotten older he started having behavior problems. One of my cub scout Moms told me about her boy having them and they discovered he still had a milk allergy. I have taken Chris off milk again and he has calmed down. I know it sounds strange but even his teachers know now what not to give him. Ice Cream gives him a severs attitude for about 24 hours. He is not allowed to eat it unless he doesn't have to go back to school for 2-3 days.

I have worked in the medical field since I was 16. I have seen kids have the reaction but when I saw my boss have one it really shook me
up. He is the chief of medicine for our local hospital. We always
check how his food is cooked and what is in it because he has so
many food allergies. We ordered him chicken strips from the same
place we always have. They changed their cooking oil and didn't
tell us that even after we asked. He ate them and 5 minutes later
was looking for his meds. Thank God one of our partners was in the
office because within 15 minutes of eating them we had him on IV's and calling 911. His wife and brother are Dr's in our building also they came down and helped until we could get him to the ER.
I now ask them to double check their oils and we take nothing for granted.