Back to School with food allergies

As Utah moms are preparing for back to school, those parents of children with food allergies are also going through the steps to make sure their child does not have an allergic reaction at school.  And more importantly, that if they do have an allergic reaction, their teachers and other caregivers will know what to do. 

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network has released an article regarding back to school.  They show that a recent poll showed that most parents are generally aware of the precautions that have to be taken for children with food allergies.  It shows that the majority of elementary schools and childcare facilities have bans on bringing treats from home and other food allergy prevention procedures.  They also offer tool kits for back to school -- one for getting started, one for elementary schools, and one for secondary schools.

Some basic tips for sending your food-allergy child back to school:

• Be realistic and honest with your child's teacher Exaggerating your childs symptoms and reaactions doesn't help anyone.  "My child will die if they even look at a peanut!" will probably cause doubt (understandably) and a lack of belief from your child's teacher.  Give your child's teacher honest information about what a reaction in your child looks like, ways to prevent it, and how to treat it. 
• Determine if you want your child to carry their Epi-Pen with them, or if it should be kept in the office.  In 2008, Utah passed House Bill 101, which allows children to carry their own Epi-Pens at school.  Having the Epi-Pen with your child saves time in the case of a reaction, but you must determine if your child is responible enough to carry the pen.  It won't do any good if your child has lost the pen or if another child gets a hold of it.
• Schedule a meeting with your child's teacher and principal before sending them back to school.  Help your child's teacher understand your child's food allergies, demonstrate how to use the Epi-Pen (depending on school policies), and work out an action plan together to help prevent reactions
• For younger children, consider donating a copy of Allie the Allergic Elephant, Cody the Allergic Cow or Chad the Allergic Chipmunk.  These stories help other children understand your child's food allergies in a way they can understand.

For more information, visit the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, or the Utah Food Allergy Network. 

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