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Food Allergies
There are a number of students at Whitehead Elementary with severe food allergies. We have had a staff training to identify the appropriate procedures for addressing a food reaction and in the use of an epi pen if needed. Our school also has an "allergy free" table for our students during lunch time. We encourage our staff and students to be aware of food allergies and symptoms. We also ask for assistance in this area when sending snacks to school.
Did you know???
Although an individual could be allergic to any food, such as fruits, vegetables, and meats, there are eight foods that account for 90% of all food-allergic reactions. These are: milk, egg, peanut, tree nut (walnut, cashew, etc.), fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a food allergy?
Food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks a food protein. Ingestion of the offending food may trigger the sudden release of chemicals, including histamine, resulting in symptoms of an allergic reaction. The symptoms may be mild (rashes, hives, itching, swelling, etc.) or severe (trouble breathing, wheezing, loss of consciousness, etc.). A food allergy is potentially life-threatening. Scientists estimate that approximately 12 million Americans suffer from food allergies, or one in 25. One in 17 children age 3 and under has a food allergy.
What are the common symptoms of a reaction?
Symptoms may include one or more of the following: a tingling sensation in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and the throat, difficulty breathing, hives, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and even death. Symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours after the person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic.
What is the best treatment for food allergy?
Strict avoidance of the allergy-causing food is the only way to avoid a reaction. Reading ingredient labels for all foods is the key to avoiding a reaction. If a product doesn't have a label, individuals with a food allergy should not eat that food.
School's Responsibility
" Be knowledgeable about and follow applicable federal laws including ADA, IDEA, Section 504, and FERPA and any state laws or district policies that apply.
" Review the health records submitted by parents and physicians.
" Include food-allergic students in school activities. Students should not be excluded from school activities solely based on their food allergy.
" Identify a core team of, but not limited to, school nurse, teacher, principal, school food service and nutrition manager/director, and counselor (if available) to work with parents and the student (age appropriate) to establish a prevention plan. Changes to the prevention plan to promote food allergy management should be made with core team participation
" Assure that all staff who interact with the student on a regular basis understands food allergy, can recognize symptoms, knows what to do in an emergency, and works with other school staff to eliminate the use of food
allergens in the allergic student's meals, educational tools, arts and crafts projects, or incentives.
" Practice the Food Allergy Action Plans before an allergic reaction occurs to assure the
efficiency/effectiveness of the plans.
" Coordinate with the school nurse to be sure medications are appropriately stored, and be sure that an
emergency kit is available that contains a physician's standing order for epinephrine. Students should be allowed to carry their own epinephrine, if age appropriate after approval from the students physician/clinic, parent and school nurse.
" Be prepared to handle a reaction and ensure that there is a staff member available who is properly trained to administer medications during the school day regardless of time or location.
" Work with the district transportation administrator to assure that school bus driver training includes symptom awareness and what to do if a reaction occurs.
" Discuss field trips with the family of the food-allergic child to decide appropriate strategies for managing the food allergy.
Student's Responsibility
" Should not trade food with others.
" Should not eat anything with unknown ingredients or known to contain any allergen.
" Should be proactive in the care and management of their food allergies and reactions based on their
developmental level.
" Should notify an adult immediately if they eat something they believe may contain the food to which they are allergic.
For more information regarding food allergies, please go to the following website:
www.foodallergy.org