Close Call for Kardashian Kid: Food Allergy Risks

Nov. 24, 2010— -- Little Mason Disick, best known for being the son of his famous mama, Kourtney Kardashian, was rushed the hospital Friday night after having an allergic reaction to peanut butter.

"[Mason] threw up within minutes of tasting it and got hives on his face," Kardashian wrote on her blog. "I called 911 and the fire department came immediately. They suggested that we take him to the hospital, so we did."

Kardashian's spokesperson declined to comment on the incident.

Kardashian reported that Mason was in good spirits after the reaction, which put him among the 1 percent of American children who is allergic to peanuts or peanut products.

"The peanut allergy gets a lot of attention because it's relatively common, it's often severe, and often sticks around for life," said Dr. Scott Sicherer, professor of pediatrics at Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. "People can be very sensitive to peanuts, so the allergy can be a big impact on a person's quality of life."

About 20 percent of those children will outgrow the allergy. But the majority are stuck with it for life.

Peanut reactions can range from mild symptoms, like a tingling mouth and hives, to more severe attacks that include wheezing, trouble breathing, vomiting, poor blood circulation, fainting and confusion. Treatments also vary from over-the-counter antihistamines to an epinephrine (adrenaline) injections meant to reverse anaphylactic shock.

The American Academy of Pediatrics had long recommended that parents delay the introduction of common allergens like dairy, eggs and nuts until a child is 2 or 3 years old. But, in January 2008, the organization reversed its stance after clinical studies shiowed no benefit to the delay.

"After 4 to 6 months of age, there is a lack of good evidence that avoidance of specific highly allergenic foods can alter future allergies and allergic conditions," said Dr. Clifford Bassett, assistant clinical professor of medicine and otolaryngology at SUNY-Health Sciences Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

"If you have a happy smiling child without allergic problems, there isn't really a recommendation to avoid giving them peanuts or peanut products," Sicherer said.

This doesn't mean that any young child should start eating peanut butter at any given time. If there is a history of food allergies in the family, or the child has already reacted to other products, like milk and eggs, there could be a higher risk for a peanut allergy.

What to Do If Your Child Has a Food Allergy Reaction

But, Dr. Stanley Fineman, president-elect of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, said it's very important not to minimize allergic reactions. Treatments vary from person to person, but if children show any signs of food allergies, they should see an allergist for an accurate diagnosis.

And for the most severe reactions, Fineman stressed that it's always important for the parent or person to carry an epinephrine pen at all times.

Fineman said parents always ask him how to know when to use an epi and when to bring them to the emergency room.

"I always tell them that they'll know when their child isn't acting right," Fineman said. "If there is a breathing problem, choking, a generalized rash, or if they look lethargic or something abnormal is clearly going on, that should really be a red flag that the child needs immediate medical attention."

And in terms of injecting the epinephrine, Fineman says it's better to be safe than sorry.

"I reassure parents that if they think they need to give the epinephrine to their children, they should give it," Fineman said. "It's not going to hurt the child to get a dose if they don't need it, but could be detrimental if they do need a dose and don't get it."

Plans of Attack

It's certainly no fun to be an allergy sufferer, as severe food allergies can permeate many aspects of a person's life, Sicherer said.

"It's really important for people to learn how to read food labels, how to ask questions at restaurants, and learn which restaurants are totally off-limits," he said. "It can be a huge educational process, on how to recognize symptoms and treat them."

Bassett said it's important to have a food allergy action plan, created by an allergist, in place for home, school and camp to familiarize everyone on how to handle a reaction.

"In our practice, we recommend that an individual at risk of a food allergy have a food allergen ingredient card for eating outside of the home in order to reduce accidental exposure to the suspect foods," Bassett said.

Holidays Rife With Suspect Foods

Now, as we come upon the time of year filled with potluck dinners, holiday work parties and Aunt Suzy's mystery meat on the dinner table, doctors said it's important for parents to be extra vigilant with children who have food allergies.

Bassett said many of the Thanksgiving staples, like potatoes, stuffing, casseroles, pies and breads can be tainted with common allergy foods. And in general, high-risk foods that may contain peanuts, like Asian food, breakfast cereals, breads, desserts and gravy mixes, are worth extra watchfulness.

"Many individuals are surprised to find how easy it is to accidentally expose themselves to food allergies that are found in many common dishes, especially during the holidays," Bassett said. "Be sure to be a label detective and know that your food hasn't been contaminated."