Can my child have a peanut allergy?

My son is 20 mo. I have not given him peanuts or peanut butter b/c I am terrified that he will have a peanut allergy. His father has a chicken, fruit, and soy allergy but no one else on either side of the family has food allergies. We often eat kettle cooked chips in our home and I recently found that they are cooked in sunflower or peanut oil. My son eats them but probably no more than 5 at a time and he has never had a reaction to them. Does this mean that he is not allergic to peanuts or is it possible that he can still be allergic to them but this has not been enough to get a reaction?

The odds are very slim. You can still ask your pediatrician.to put your mind at ease.

Ask the pediatrician.

Yes and Yes

Have you discussed these concerns with your son's pediatrician? Maybe there is something he/she can do from their end and decide was precautions or treatment you could use? From personal experience,my younger brother has a severe peanut/nut allergy.He can't take any form of peanut or nut,being in the room of something being cooked in peanut,or even sesame seeds will affect him. His first severe allergic reaction was around your son's age. So, if you son does have a type of allergic reaction,at his age now,would be the time to check it out. Good luck!!! I hope your son is fine and free of any allergies :)

Trust me Momma, if your son was allergic to peanut oil YOU WOULD KNOW IT !!! Now that is not to say that he won't become allergic in his adult years. The body changes daily and one month you can give your son those cookies and he is fine and the next month you give him the cookies and he starts to swell up like a balloon, that is an allergic reaction. By the way, if that does happen, call 911, DO NOT try to take your son to the hospital via car. The ambulance has all the special equipment needed to keep an airway open for allergic reactions. Let the EMT's handle your son. When you give him the cookies, just watch him carefully for about 1 hour because if something is going to happen it would happen by that amount of time. You are a WONDERFUL MOTHER, your son is so lucky to have you. Good Luck and Blessings !!!

Given his age, I would still hold off on peanuts, peanut butter, etc. The recommended age to introduce nuts is 3 years old. I wouldn't conclude that he doesn't have a peanut allergy based on the fact that he can eat chips made with peanut oil. Some people with a peanut allergy can tolerate peanut oil without any problems. I would just continue to be cautious given the family history and definitely talk to your doctor about those concerns.