Just like meeting homework deadlines and figuring out transportation to and from extracurricular activities, managing your child’s food allergies at school requires planning.
Food allergies affect 4-6 percent of children in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Incredibly, eight foods are responsible for 90 percent of all allergic reactions: milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, other nuts, fish and shellfish. These cause the immune system to mistake the food item as a threat and actually attack the body.
Steps to help keep food allergies in check
Whether it’s a bothersome bout of hives or a life-threatening case of anaphylaxis, allergies can cause severe disturbances to a child’s school day. Take these steps to help keep food allergies in check:
- Know your food allergies: Be aware of exactly what food allergies you may have and what types of food might trigger them. There are tests available to check if an allergy exists.
- Tell others: Meet with the principal and nurse to let them know about your child’s condition and bring along a letter from your pediatrician or allergist. From there, you can develop a health plan for your child throughout the school year.
- Read labels: If you’re making lunch for your child to take to school, carefully check the ingredients on food labels to make sure they don’t contain anything that may trigger a food allergy. Be sure to read all of the ingredients.
- Don’t take chances: The only real treatment for food allergies is avoidance. If you aren’t sure if your child is allergic to a certain food, or just what might be in it, take a pass.
- Ask about epinephrine: Many people carry an EpiPen® in case of a severe reaction. If your doctor prescribes it, be sure to keep one at home, school or work. Know how to use it in case of emergency.
