I think most people who don't have a family member with a life threatening food allergy do not have any idea of the dangers involved in a simple accidental 'touch' of the allergen. I'll admit it, I didn't have a clue until I was "schooled" by a young man receiving a dog named Remy!
The danger of ingestion isn't truly understood by the masses; most people I talk to think that the person with the allergy can "choke," "have a hard time catching their breath," or "break out" if they eat something. There was a movie (the name escapes me) with Will Smith during which he unknowingly ingests shellfish to which he is allergic. His reaction to the food is presented in comedic fashion and, although medicine is given orally, gives a false sense of what happens in a true reaction. Sure, a person will turn red, swell and have difficulty breathing... but they aren't going to then walk in a stupor to a drug store, get some antihistamine and be all better, though sleepy, the next day.
They're going to require emergency treatment with the epi-pen they should have on their body and in a hurry - and then they'll be on the way to the emergency room and their body, in spite of the medication injected and repeated at the emergency room, will continue to have a reaction far beyond that day.
I have been told that every contact with the allergen, be it ingested, touched or inhaled, creates the potential for a more dangerous reaction the next time. And, like "the masses," I used to think "How hard can it be to not eat (or touch) a peanut?" Again, thanks to several children and parents, I understand! Peanuts and tree nuts are everywhere. And so, in an attempt to help people avoid contact - even just casual tactile contact - I'm compiling an ever growing list and I encourage and invite all who read it to add to it!
THE LIST OF UNEXPECTED DANGERS TO PEOPLE WITH A PEANUT OR TREE NUT ALLERGY:
First, peanuts are not always listed as "peanut" on a label! Look for the botanical name ARACHIS HYPOGAEA, commonly found in cosmetics
Peanut hay
Lubricating oil
Leather dressings
Fiberboard shelving
Kitty litter
Cat treats and food
Stuffed animals (sometimes stuffed with crushed peanut shells) – typically made in countries other than the USA OR older stuffed animals)
Peanut shells on the floor of stores and restaurants
Peanut shells on the ground
Deli meat slicers – some meats contain nuts (mortadella) or are browned/fried in peanut oil and therefore cross contaminates the other meats and cheeses
(This one is for Katy!) OUR dogs say that pseudo marijuana uses peanut products as a base ingredient!!
The rest are probably more useful to you!
Some environmentally friendly, “green” planters – And I quote: “From coconut fiber to peanut shells, today’s biodegradable pots are a step above plastic.” To read more about this, click here NOW.
Some “green” products, like this mug, which uses peanuts and tree nuts - Visit this link NOW. Kermit had a song… “It’s not easy being green…” I’m afraid “green” may have to become the new “red flag” to those with people with allergies.
Decks – you read that right, decks. And, again, a quote: Engineered decking is made of everything from sawdust to plastic to peanut shells. It tends to be more stable and wears better than wood. Exfoliator that contains ground nut shells To read more about the decking dangers, click here NOW.
Some sunscreens
Some sunscreens
Livestock feed – dairy cattle feed is especially concerning
Kitty litter
Fiberboard shelving (I feel like I may have listed this one before… please excuse any duplicates!)
Library books – a fun place for most children, many, many of the books (especially in the children’s section) are contaminated.
Baking stones are often “seasoned” by making a batch of cookies… Hmmm. Be careful!
Flouride in the dental office
Flavored lip gloss
European chocolate (nuts are not always required to be listed on the label)
Peanut/peanut butter as a “secret” ingredient – especially in chili and baked goods
Rags used to prep plates before they leave a restaurant kitchen
Flavorx add-in medicine flavors
Pre-natal vitamins
Charcoal
Wallboard
Lawn fertilizer
Neutrogena brand moisturizer – Dawg specifically indicated on (and let’s not comment on my vanity, shall we?) Neutrogena Healthy Skin® Firming Cream SPF 15. I didn’t immediately see the culprit… then I put on my investigatory eyes and re-read the ingredients which included both Arachidyl Alcohol and Arachidyl Glucoside. Well, I knew that ARACHIS HYPOGAEA is the botanical name for peanuts which led me to more research… whereupon I discovered that both Arachidyl Alcohol and Arachidyl Glucoside are derived from peanut oil. And Dawg was, once again, right!!
Cosmetic items with arachis oil listed in the ingredient list.
Prometrium® (synthetic progesterone)
MUSICIANS BEWARE: Organic bore oil for wooden musical instruments
It’s not that I think you and your kids are going to be messing with this, but it’s on one of the lists I found so SOMEONE had an issue. Beware of Dynamite!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Traces left in toasters - friends’ houses, relatives’ houses, restaurants and hotels
Used cars
Drinks made at a bar – such as Shirley Temples (The bartenders use their hands to fill the peanuts, top deserts and also to pull the cherries out of the bin… Thanks to FARLEY for teaching me this one!)
The wrappers of Subway Sandwiches. (Have I said this?) The sandwich wrappers are kept beneath the fresh baked cookies. Cookie crumbs fall on the wrappers. Take a paper plate!
Hamster and rodent food
Pet shops are contaminated! If you’re going in, be sure your child wears gloves, long sleeves, etc. And do NOT touch their faces!!!
Scented fishing lures (specifically peanut scented… but be cautious!)
As much as I love the birds and the squirrels, the bird seed, suet and squirrel food is contaminated.
Those birds and squirrels getting food from neighbors’ feeders may hide their nutty cache in your yard! Just be aware!
Some mulch
Bugs starting to creek and crawl? Watch out for the insect granules… some use peanuts
Thinking of starting some seedlings? Read your potting soil carefully… some use peanut shells or pith.
Those seeds in the shaker-style cannisters… yes, be cautious – some have peanut product in that mix.
Can compost be dangerous? Well, first make sure it’s YOUR compost and is free from peanut products composting… and THEN be aware that some accelerators and additives also have peanut product in them!
Uh oh… did you see a mouse? Be cautious of used mousetraps or pre-baited mousetraps!
Burlap bags – often used for fun picnic three-legged races – are dangerous as well.
Homemade jellies
Some children’s vitamins (insane, right?)
Some potpourri
Rental cars
Walnut shells are used in some texture additives for paint - walnuts are often contaminated by peanuts.
Some massage oils
Tanning oils, and then residue of those tanning oils are on the tanning beds.
Atrovent® inhalation aerosol asthma medication
Cashiers (often grabbing a snack of a candy bar, trail mix bar, nuts, etc) and then handing you or your child money/product with contaminated hands!!
Beware of ”conditioned” or “oiled” cutting boards – oiled with peanut oil
Older stuffed toys can be stuffed with walnut shells.
Library books and movies.
Some shampoos and conditioners.
Body wash.
Some mineral makeup.
Contaminated pot holders (at friends’ homes or restaurants)
Machine-made fake smoke
Plant sterols can be derived from peanuts and some are found in some of those “heart healthy” orange juice, yogurt, etc.
Drops to remove excess ear wax
Pellets for pellet stoves. The potential of inhalation is downright frightening.
Roach/ant bait disks
Some dog treats
Some hacky sacks
Some recipes for homemade play dough
WalMart brand (Great Value) shredded cheese – contaminated with almond
EVERYONE’S shoes… Make sure you have people remove their shoes AND LEAVE THEM OUTSIDE when they come to visit.
Fireplace logs – imagine the potential.
Beanbag chairs – some have peanut shells in them. Very scary and so enticing.
Exterminators (at least in Texas) use peanutbutter in a syringe (which has poison in it as well) and come INSIDE YOUR HOUSE and inject it in the cracks around molding, showers, tubs, door jambs, window sills… you get the idea.
Some SCENTED crayons and markers
Some of the trained dogs indicate on some brands of colored pencils
Some diaper creams
Tooth polish at the dentist’s office
Specialty and/or homemade paper.
…and the list goes on! L
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