Comments on: Nut Allergies on Airplanes http://www.travelsavvymom.com/blog/family-travel/nut-allergies-on-airplanes/ Where to Stay When You Go Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:41:50 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Avivah http://www.travelsavvymom.com/blog/family-travel/nut-allergies-on-airplanes/comment-page-1/#comment-6239 Avivah Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:47:31 +0000 http://www.travelsavvymom.com/?p=6498#comment-6239 Thank you, Ms Aspinwall for being so considerate. I have found, unfortunately, that such consideration does not extend to adults. My mother (obm), aka my taster, finally taught me how she recognised the smell of nuts. Since I can no longer take anti-histamines except in an emergency I cannot tell you the number of times I have had to back out of a door before entering a party. As for variations in nut allergies, I am allergic to all nuts except almonds, which I can only eat if roasted or in some way cooked. However, I cannot eat uncooked peaches, plums, apricots, and nectarines too close to the pit or I have pseudo-reaction. Thank you, Ms Aspinwall for being so considerate. I have found, unfortunately, that such consideration does not extend to adults. My mother (obm), aka my taster, finally taught me how she recognised the smell of nuts. Since I can no longer take anti-histamines except in an emergency I cannot tell you the number of times I have had to back out of a door before entering a party.

As for variations in nut allergies, I am allergic to all nuts except almonds, which I can only eat if roasted or in some way cooked. However, I cannot eat uncooked peaches, plums, apricots, and nectarines too close to the pit or I have pseudo-reaction.

]]> By: Linda http://www.travelsavvymom.com/blog/family-travel/nut-allergies-on-airplanes/comment-page-1/#comment-4609 Linda Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:07:22 +0000 http://www.travelsavvymom.com/?p=6498#comment-4609 It's too bad the airline didn't warn you beforehand that they might make this request. With regards to your question about peanuts and tree nuts, some kids are allergic to just one, but often they'll be allergic to both peanuts and one or more tree nuts. For some reason, there seems to be a correlation between the two. My son is allergic to peanuts and Brazil nuts but not other nuts. There are no easy answers when it comes to allergies. Thanks for helping to keep the other child safe. It’s too bad the airline didn’t warn you beforehand that they might make this request.

With regards to your question about peanuts and tree nuts, some kids are allergic to just one, but often they’ll be allergic to both peanuts and one or more tree nuts. For some reason, there seems to be a correlation between the two. My son is allergic to peanuts and Brazil nuts but not other nuts.

There are no easy answers when it comes to allergies. Thanks for helping to keep the other child safe.

]]> By: Heather Poole http://www.travelsavvymom.com/blog/family-travel/nut-allergies-on-airplanes/comment-page-1/#comment-4581 Heather Poole Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:04:48 +0000 http://www.travelsavvymom.com/?p=6498#comment-4581 As a flight attendant, a person who suffers from allergies, and a mother with a 2.5 year-old who travels often, I know there's no easy answer here. My airline only serves nuts (no peanuts) in the premium cabins, but with airlines not serving food (mine included) passengers bring their own, and with everyone being healthy, nuts are a popular choice of snack. No one wants to hear a hungry crying child, but on the flip side, I've seen what a nut allergy can do to a child. You were lucky the FA's had food to share. Remember, if we are catered with food, there's not enough for everyone. Therefore make sure when you're packing your bag, to add another snack along with the nuts - just in case. Fortunately I've only come across a passenger with nut allergies once in 14 years of flying. Great post, BTW. I think I'll write about happened to you, Jamie, with a link to your post of course! Heather Poole www.gadling.com/galley-gossip As a flight attendant, a person who suffers from allergies, and a mother with a 2.5 year-old who travels often, I know there’s no easy answer here. My airline only serves nuts (no peanuts) in the premium cabins, but with airlines not serving food (mine included) passengers bring their own, and with everyone being healthy, nuts are a popular choice of snack.

No one wants to hear a hungry crying child, but on the flip side, I’ve seen what a nut allergy can do to a child. You were lucky the FA’s had food to share. Remember, if we are catered with food, there’s not enough for everyone. Therefore make sure when you’re packing your bag, to add another snack along with the nuts – just in case. Fortunately I’ve only come across a passenger with nut allergies once in 14 years of flying.

Great post, BTW. I think I’ll write about happened to you, Jamie, with a link to your post of course!

Heather Poole
http://www.gadling.com/galley-gossip

]]> By: Jamie Pearson http://www.travelsavvymom.com/blog/family-travel/nut-allergies-on-airplanes/comment-page-1/#comment-4580 Jamie Pearson Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:14:00 +0000 http://www.travelsavvymom.com/?p=6498#comment-4580 I suspect airline policy is all about covering their asses legally. I get that they can't guarantee a nut-free environment---that makes sense. But continuing to serve peanuts when life-threatening allergies are on the rise? Come ON. Some airlines seem to be willing to create a 3-row nut-free buffer zone around the allergic passenger. That's nice I guess, but wouldn't it just be easier to serve pretzels? I suspect airline policy is all about covering their asses legally. I get that they can’t guarantee a nut-free environment—that makes sense. But continuing to serve peanuts when life-threatening allergies are on the rise? Come ON.

Some airlines seem to be willing to create a 3-row nut-free buffer zone around the allergic passenger. That’s nice I guess, but wouldn’t it just be easier to serve pretzels?

]]> By: Social Marketing Mama http://www.travelsavvymom.com/blog/family-travel/nut-allergies-on-airplanes/comment-page-1/#comment-4579 Social Marketing Mama Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:01:26 +0000 http://www.travelsavvymom.com/?p=6498#comment-4579 ...that IS a first! You made the right decision in not eating the nuts, very kind of you...and the flight attendants were nice to give you something. I love to bring nuts along my travels as well (no pun intended)...but its a good thing to know. You're right, a policy could help here. …that IS a first! You made the right decision in not eating the nuts, very kind of you…and the flight attendants were nice to give you something. I love to bring nuts along my travels as well (no pun intended)…but its a good thing to know. You’re right, a policy could help here.

]]> By: Meg http://www.travelsavvymom.com/blog/family-travel/nut-allergies-on-airplanes/comment-page-1/#comment-4578 Meg Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:57:44 +0000 http://www.travelsavvymom.com/?p=6498#comment-4578 I have a question for readers, especially of parents of children with "nut" allergies. Are these allergies usually just peanuts or all nuts? (Peanuts, walnuts, almonds, etc?). I always hear nut allergies, but our pediatrician told me peanuts are a legume while other "nuts" are actually nuts - grow on a tree. You can have a severe peanut allergy and scarf down the walnuts. Does anyone have children who are allergic to all kinds of nuts? Do flight attendants/parents/we have to say "nuts" because processed food will use peanuts in something that may say "almonds"? I bring plain almonds almost everywhere because it is a great, transportable snack (that mom loves too) and I hope that it won't put anyone with an extreme allergy at risk. Am I being naive? Thanks I have a question for readers, especially of parents of children with “nut” allergies. Are these allergies usually just peanuts or all nuts? (Peanuts, walnuts, almonds, etc?). I always hear nut allergies, but our pediatrician told me peanuts are a legume while other “nuts” are actually nuts – grow on a tree. You can have a severe peanut allergy and scarf down the walnuts. Does anyone have children who are allergic to all kinds of nuts? Do flight attendants/parents/we have to say “nuts” because processed food will use peanuts in something that may say “almonds”? I bring plain almonds almost everywhere because it is a great, transportable snack (that mom loves too) and I hope that it won’t put anyone with an extreme allergy at risk. Am I being naive? Thanks

]]> By: Jane http://www.travelsavvymom.com/blog/family-travel/nut-allergies-on-airplanes/comment-page-1/#comment-4575 Jane Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:31:39 +0000 http://www.travelsavvymom.com/?p=6498#comment-4575 Thanks for the story, Patricia. I'm surprised airlines haven't come up against this before. I hope everyone is as considerate as you. Thanks for the story, Patricia. I’m surprised airlines haven’t come up against this before. I hope everyone is as considerate as you.

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