Catrina Quintana is a stay at home mother and home schools her two boys. Aadyn is her oldest and is eight years old with no known food allergies or intolerances. Asher is six years old and has asthma, allergies to peanuts and tree nuts, and has many other food sensitivities. There is no history of food allergies in their family. However, Catrina’s grandmother has food intolerance to seafood, but she didn’t develop this until she was in her 70’s.
Prior to Asher being diagnosed with food allergies, he experienced two severe reactions. The first was at his grandparent’s house and the other was at the allergist during skin testing. In February 2011, both boys tried a piece of Almond Roca. Asher immediately spit it out and was crying and scraping at his tongue. Catrina wasn’t sure what was happening. Asher’s face began to swell and he started coughing. Catrina grabbed her son and hooked him up to his
nebulizer and quickly ran to a close store to get Benadryl. Catrina held her son tightly and soon after, Asher was fine and off playing again. She decided to call the doctor’s office. They were able to see Asher right away and advised her set up an appointment to see an allergist. Looking back, Catrina would have handled this situation differently, but she said, “I had no idea the severity of the situation.”
nebulizer and quickly ran to a close store to get Benadryl. Catrina held her son tightly and soon after, Asher was fine and off playing again. She decided to call the doctor’s office. They were able to see Asher right away and advised her set up an appointment to see an allergist. Looking back, Catrina would have handled this situation differently, but she said, “I had no idea the severity of the situation.”
| The second severe reaction occurred during his skin testing at the allergist’s office. At the time, Asher was four years old. Within 30 seconds of the skin testing, his back was really bad. He was pale, crying, his voice was raspy and his stomach hurt. The allergist didn’t administer an Epipen, but they closely monitored him for a long time. Catrina said, “It felt like forever.” The allergist then informed them of Asher’s food allergies |  In the car on the way to get treatment for an asthma attack. Possibly food induced. |
Catrina knows she should have suspected food allergies several times, but it just never crossed her mind. She now recalls times when Asher and his brother were eating peanut butter and Asher would complain that his tongue burned. She just thought that he didn’t like it and decided to no longer give it to him.
I asked Catrina to share some of the challenges she and her family have faced and she said that her biggest obstacle has been family members that just do not get how serious it is. There have been many times when she has tried to explain the severity of Asher’s food allergies, but at family functions they continue to serve desserts with peanuts and tree nuts. Catrina has learned that no matter how hard you try, others are never going to understand how hard it is to have a child with life threatening food allergies.
I asked Catrina to share some of the challenges she and her family have faced and she said that her biggest obstacle has been family members that just do not get how serious it is. There have been many times when she has tried to explain the severity of Asher’s food allergies, but at family functions they continue to serve desserts with peanuts and tree nuts. Catrina has learned that no matter how hard you try, others are never going to understand how hard it is to have a child with life threatening food allergies.
Another challenge has been the constant fear of food. Catrina herself doesn’t have food allergies, but being a mother of a child with life threatening food allergies, has made her scared of food. Catrina said, “My husband and I just try our best to constantly encourage him and to not disregard his fear of food, but to show him that he owns his food allergies, food allergies don’t own him.” Catrina said that she wants Asher to not let food allergies stand in his way. She said, “I want him to know how to handle every
situation. I want him to be whatever he wants to be.”
situation. I want him to be whatever he wants to be.”
I know all of us can relate to Catrina and her family. When I write and share these stories,
I feel like they are all very similar to mine. In the beginning, we didn’t know what signs to look for or what to do. There needs to be more education about food allergies early on. Parents need this information before it happens. There needs to be some type of education given to new parents regarding signs of food allergies and anaphylaxis. I wish this could start in the pediatricians’ office. Why can’t it? When I brought my son’s food allergic reactions to my pediatrician’s attention, they were dismissed. I trusted what they told me and so I ignored the signs. There needs to be more education not only with new parents, but with all doctors caring for our babies and our children.
I feel like they are all very similar to mine. In the beginning, we didn’t know what signs to look for or what to do. There needs to be more education about food allergies early on. Parents need this information before it happens. There needs to be some type of education given to new parents regarding signs of food allergies and anaphylaxis. I wish this could start in the pediatricians’ office. Why can’t it? When I brought my son’s food allergic reactions to my pediatrician’s attention, they were dismissed. I trusted what they told me and so I ignored the signs. There needs to be more education not only with new parents, but with all doctors caring for our babies and our children.
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