Food Allergies

Aimeejoy in feb boards has a 2 year old with allergies..she might know?

Go to WINZ and ask for the forms for a child disability allowance and get the doc to fill it out. Like Emma said its not much - $78/fortnight - but definitely helps. We have an epipen as well, but have to pay $198 each (bloody pharmacy), and just because they have a shelf life of one year doesnt mean you get them when they are fresh! Our last one only had 7 months on it, but CSL (the company that manufactures them will give you a discount on your next ones). Have a look here for a $20 discount voucher (bottom of the page). Also allergy NZ - it doesnt cost much to join and there is so much information available through them.

Oh yeah, should say my Hannah (2) is allergic to milk, eggs and nuts.

How old is your son? We have only ever had one epipen for Hannah as she is always with me, her dad or grandma's, so dont need to leave them anywhere (like daycare, school...) and havent worried about a medic alert braclet yet for the same reason. Will get one if she still has allergies when she goes to school.

The food allergy cookbook is also great for baking ideas. Are you being referred to a dietician? Ours gave us lots of recipes and ingredient substitution ideas - plus all of us on here with allergy kids can help you as well

Another allergy Mum here- Charlotte has peanut anaphylaxis, moderate allergies to Eggs, Dustmites, Tomoatos, Fish and numerous other mild allergies wheat, red grapes, kiwi, dogs...

The UK is brilliant- we have 5 epipens for Charlotte and they were all free. All Drs visits and scripts for children are totally free. Luckily we got Health insurance for her before she was 3 months so all her specialist appointments were covered under that but we still had to pay for the epipens when we were in NZ. Join allergy NZ and write to your local MP. There is info on the net as well about petitioning parliament to get them subsidised. Its absolutely ridiculous that a lifesaving drug isn't even slightly subsidised by the government. Definitely apply for the disability allowance asap- its not much but it helps.