Young Children’s Health IssuesFood Allergies

These Items Represent 90% of all Food Allergies in Children Today

• milk and milk products• soybeans• wheat and wheat products• peanuts and tree nuts• fish and shellfish

Parent Communication

• parents need to inform the teacher of any food allergies

• an action plan needs to be put in place• web site http://www.food-allergy.org is a

excellent web site to establish the plan• all staff should be aware of the plan including

substitutes

Teacher Awareness

• teachers need to be alert to these food allergies in their students

• consider the food allergies when:

planning lessons

field trips

special occasions

holiday celebrations

Teacher Awareness cont.

• explain the situation and importance to the other students

• tell them not to share their food• a list should be posted in the classroom with

the students that have a food allergy• one teacher should be responsible for

monitoring the situation

Symptoms

• wheezing and difficulty breathing• itchy skin rashes including hives• vomiting, diarrhea, nausea• abdominal pain and swelling around the mouth

and in the throat• symptoms may be mild or very severe

Symptoms cont.

• severe reaction can cause anaphylaxis• anaphylaxis is a severe reaction and causes

difficulty breathing, swelling in the mouth and throat, decreased blood pressure, shock and even death

Management

• educate your child to avoid foods that he is allergic to.

• learn to read labels and know what is in the food before eating it

• no improvement see an allergy specialist for testing• children with severe allergic reactions need to wear

a medical alert bracelet• children with severe allergic reactions should carry

an epinephrine auto injector