Hi,
My 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with a penicillin allergy about a year ago after having a pretty bad reaction. I was wondering when and how I should explain this to her. I feel that it is important that she is informed about it but I don't want to scare her and I don't know if she's "ready" or not. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

She is way too young to be told this. She has no concept of what a drug is and won't be able to comprehend what you are telling her. Wait till she is older. Check with your pediatrician on when.

I agree with Tichou. She cannot be given any medical care without your consent as long as she is a child so there is no point in telling her. It will just scare and worry her.

Thank you both for your replies. I wasn't planning on telling her until she was at least a little older. But I definately will talk to her pediatrician about when I should talk to her about it. Thanks again. :)

Hi,
My 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with a penicillin allergy about a year ago after having a pretty bad reaction. I was wondering when and how I should explain this to her. I feel that it is important that she is informed about it but I don't want to scare her and I don't know if she's "ready" or not. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


Your three year old is too young to responsible for herself in the near future but it is important to make her aware of her allergy. Just telling her about it calmly and explain why is good enough for the age she will not get scared if you tell her in such a manner. This could benefit her and yourself someday if you are not around to let someone know of this allergy. You should also get your daughter an alert bracelet or necklace to wear. I am a mother to two children with very bad allergies and my oldest is 3 years old and just experienced her school allowing her to ingest food she shouldn't have and thank god she knew enough to say, I'm not suppose to have this, I'm allergic. Things could have been alot worse and she may have eaten everything in front of her. Remember she will think nothing of it if you don't make it a huge deal, you just let her know but don't hang it over her all the time. She will never think she is different or something is "wrong" with her because she is so young and thats a good thing.