Food Allergies
A food allergy is an immune response that happens in the body soon after a student eats a certain food. A food allergy can happen at any time involving any food source.
The symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild such as hives or severe difficulty breathing.
Anaphylaxis is a sudden onset of severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms that occur within minutes to hours of exposure to an allergen Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can lead to death. When anaphylaxis happens this requires immediate action. The ONLY proven treatment for anaphylaxis is QUICK administration of epinephrine known as an EpiPen.
An EpiPen is a medication that helps to stop the immune response in the body, in effect stopping the food allergy emergency. It comes in the form of an injection or auto-injector.
Students at risk for anaphylaxis are advised to ALWAYS carry epinephrine auto-injectors with them at all times.
These are the top 8 foods Eight foods that cause 90 percent of all reactions in the United States:
- cow’s milk
- eggs
- peanuts
- tree nuts
- wheat
- soy
- fish
- shellfish
GIVE EPIPEN FIRST,
GIVE EPIPEN FAST
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction are
- Itchy or runny nose, sneezing
- Itchy or tingling sensation in the mouth
- A few hives, mild itching of skin
- Mild nausea or discomfort
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis:
-
The following symptoms can be serious and progress quickly to the point where emergency care is needed:
- Skin: itching, redness, swelling and hives
- Mouth: itching, swelling of lips and tongue
- Stomach: vomiting, diarrhea, cramps
- Respiratory: shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest pain and/or tightness
- Heart: weak pulse, dizziness, faintness
- Headache, nasal congestion, watery eyes, sweating
- Confusion, feeling of impending doom
- Loss of consciousness
Anaphylaxis typically occurs when at least two organ systems (skin, mouth, stomach, respiratory, heart) are involved in symptoms.
What to do in a food allergy emergency
- Please remain calm. Students will pick up on your fear and they may panic
- Administer the EpiPen immediately and call 911 student will need to be monitored at the hospital
- Consider giving an antihistamine Benadryl or albuterol inhaler to student
- Follow the students food allergy emergency plan
- Have student to lie down flat and raise their legs.
- A second dose of the EpiPen can be given after 5 minutes if symptoms do not improve or they return.
- Transport student with the used EpiPen injector to the hospital to be monitored.
What can I do to prepare for my student with a food allergy?
- Review your classroom roster to be aware of any students with food allergies in your class and what those allergies are.
- Prepare a list for any substitute teachers so that they can be aware of students who have food allergies in your class also.
- Know how to recognize food allergy symptoms and how to respond quickly
- Reduce exposure to food allergens in the class by eliminating eating in the class and being sure to clean surfaces after eating.
- Encourage students to wash hands before and after eating
- Encourage students with food allergies to bring in a written food allergy emergency action plan that tells exactly what needs to be done if that student has a food allergy emergency. Review the action plan and become familiar with it.
- Collaborate with your school nurse
Printable emergency sheet & Other Resources
References:
Allergy and Asthma Network. (2020). What is Anaphylaxis? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/anaphylaxis/
Allergy and Asthma Network. (2020). What is a food allergy? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/allergies/food-allergies/