Many children have a severe allergic reaction to milk, peanuts, wheat, shellfish, latex and other types of allergens during their childhood. Having a child with these types of allergic reactions can be challenging. Even something as simple as a trip to the mall can be daunting. You wonder if it's safe to feed your child food from the food court, or did they use latex gloves preparing it. You wonder if peanut oil was used in any of the foods and not listed on their menu. Even a friend's birthday party becomes a hazard. You question the food he or she eats, the toys at the party and whether they are made of latex. You question everything like if peanut oil, wheat or milk was used in the birthday cake. Or if the latex balloons are going to trigger an allergic reaction in your child. The are so many substances that can cause a sever allergic reaction. Some of the more common ones are wheat allergy, an allergy to shellfish, peanut allergies, milk or lactose allergy, the list seems to be endless..
When children with allergies go to school, you worry even more because you aren't there to watch over everything. You have to place your trust in the teachers and other adults to watch out for your child.
Your child's school must comply with Federal requirements of the 504 Plan to provide an allergy-free meal to your child. Most schools will be happy to accommodate your child if you approach them with a comprehensive plan. Make your plan very specific. List exactly what your child can and can't eat and what they can and can't touch or play with.
Working together with your school officials and educators, you can be your child's advocate so he or she can enjoy more of their school and more of the world as a whole. With careful planning and specific guidelines, your child can attend school just like every other child and you don't have to worry yourself sick about him or her.
As a precaution, send your child to school with an epi pen. Contained in an epi-pen is a single dose of epinephrine with an auto injector device. This has become a common method of protecting children against severe allergic reactions that they may encounter during school hours. Your child's school will be happy to keep an epi-pen on hand and you'll both feel more relaxed knowing it's there. Some children are mature enough to carry their own epi pen. The highest incidence of death from anaphylaxis occurs when a child having an allergic reaction doesn't have the prescribed epinephrine close enough to him or her.
The information contained here is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please seek the advice of your doctor regarding any treatment for your child's allergies.
