Oh Nuts

We have a new addition to my purse and our medicine cupboard - an EpiPen. A little over a week ago Samuel suddenly became sick after eating a brownie and then again he became sick this past week after eating part of a scrumptious butterhorn that my sweet friend made. After he got sick, he felt better immediately. What did these two yummy foods have in common? Walnuts! Could it be an allergy?

Samuel was tested over the winter for environmental allergies. This is when we found out he is allergic to many grasses, trees, weeds, cats and cockroaches (yes, they test for that!). Knowing that he is sensitive and seems prone to allergies (we still haven't found a sunscreen that doesn't give him a rash!), we called the Allergy Doctor last week and reported our suspicion of a nut allergy. This resulted in a visit to the doctor today. I thought maybe we were overreacting and trying to self-diagnosis (with the help of Web MD, of course - and, seriously, what did we do before the internet?).

Our suspicion was confirmed. This little man has grown an allergy to tree nuts (walnuts, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pecans, cashews, almonds, etc.). Unfortunately, nut allergies are not something typically outgrown. Samuel is not, however, allergic to peanuts or peanut butter (yet) ~ we are thankful for that!!!!

Thus, we begin a new season of carefully reading labels, educating ourselves, and keeping a strict eye on what Samuel eats.

And, because I just could not post without picture ... here he is, our nutty guy who will be kept away from tree nuts!