Keeping Food Allergy Kids Safe at School

Article provided By: Ria Sharon

The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) now says that up to 8% of children are affected by food allergy. This equates to roughly 1 in every fifteen children (about 1 in every classroom in America). Parents of children who have life-threatening reactions (also called anaphylaxis) are especially concerned about their children in the school environment, where exposure to potentially fatal substances can occur in any number of situations during the typical school day.

The top eight trigger foods for anaphylaxis are peanuts, tree nuts, milk, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs, and wheat. Food products are also often used during math, science and art. Ann Munoz-Furlong, the CEO of FAAN says, “Often, parents and school staff think about avoiding allergens such as peanuts, milk products, or other foods in the lunchroom. Recent studies have shown the majority of allergy reactions take place in the classroom.”

More likely than not, you know and spend time with at least one child that is at risk for a life-threatening reaction. If you are a teacher or group caregiver, what steps can you take to make school a safer place for many children?

Learn How To Recognize A Reaction

These symptoms may appear immediately or up to 2 hours after exposure: • Systemic (not localized) itchy skin and/or hives • Swelling or flushing of lips, throat, tongue, face or extremities • Wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, hoarseness • Headache, pallid complexion, blue lips • Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea • Loss of consciousness

Children may describe a reaction by saying, “My mouth (or tongue) feels...” “itchy, hot, burning, or hairy” Or, “It feels like there’s something stuck in my throat.” Very young children will put their hands in their mouths and pull and scratch at their mouths and tongue.

Learn What to Do in Case A Reaction Occurs

In the case of severe reactions, the Emergency Action Plan (EAP)* is simple: 1) Administer a shot of epinephrine, and
2) Call 911!

Take Steps to Miminize the Risk of Accidental Exposure

• Provide an allergen-free area for snack and mealtimes

• Implement a “no sharing food” rule

• Ask parents of food allergy kids to provide a list of safe snacks or better yet, ask them to provide a supply of safe snacks that can be offered to their child, if necessary

• Make sure all the kids wash their hands after eating, to prevent the spread of food residue on classroom and playground surfaces

• Notify parents of food-allergic kids of events that could bring special food into the classroom.

• Because of cross-contamination in bakeries, most nut allergic kids must avoid non-prepackaged baked goods, even if they don’t contain nuts themselves. So, always ask a parent or caregiver before offering any food to a young child

• Ask the parents to review arts and crafts materials that you intend to use in the classroom

• Avoid edible treats as incentives

• If you see a Check My Tag shirt or any other alert device on a child, be extra vigilant

• Send a note to parents in the classroom to alert them to this concern and ask for their cooperation in maintaining a safe learning environment for everyone.

IMPORTANT FOOD ALLERGY SAFETY FACTS

• Experts say that peanuts can kill an allergic person within three minutes after exposure either by ingestion or inhalation

• Peanut residue lingers for hours on clothes and fingers and stay airborne in an enclosed space for days

• Institutions that receive public funding are required to make accommodations for children with food allergy kids in accordance with federal law as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For more on Emergency Action Plans and additional resources on caring for a child with food allergy, please visit Rias' site by clicking here