The most important rule at Horace Mann in terms of food allergies is that WE DO NOT SHARE FOOD !!!! Please remind your student that this is important to keep their friends healthy and safe. I always begin our first full day of school in the APR by having students repeat this statement.
According to the Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics, almost 4 of every 100 children now have a food or digestive allergy. What does this mean?
An allergy is a reaction from the body's immune system. During an allergic reaction, the body responds to an allergen (such as a specific food) as a foreign invader. During the reaction, the child with the allergy may experience symptoms ranging from mild, such as a rash, to very severe, causing breathing difficulties.
Although medications can slow down a reaction, the most effective treatment for food allergies is to prevent exposure to the food causing the reaction. What does this mean to all of us?
If your child has been diagnosed with a food allergy, please inform the nurse immediately about the allergy. A plan will be developed for preventing exposure to the food, as well as a plan for accidental exposure. You, the parent/guardian, will be involved in developing these plans. You will be asked to bring in medications for use in case of an emergency. These medications will be required to have the medication forms required for all medications.
If your child is in a class with a student with a food allergy, you may be asked not to send in certain foods for class parties. The sharing of this information with other families is up to the parents of the child who has the allergy.
If you are uncertain if your child has a food allergy, but s/he seems to have some symptoms, such as itching after eating a specific food, please contact your child's health care provider immediately. This provider is the best individual to determine what may be causing your child's itching, and what to do for it. While you are proceeding with contacting your child's health care provider,please inform the nurse so that we can work to keep your child as healthy as possible at school.
If you would like further information or have questions about food allergies, please feel free to contact the nurse for resources.
An allergy is a reaction from the body's immune system. During an allergic reaction, the body responds to an allergen (such as a specific food) as a foreign invader. During the reaction, the child with the allergy may experience symptoms ranging from mild, such as a rash, to very severe, causing breathing difficulties.
Although medications can slow down a reaction, the most effective treatment for food allergies is to prevent exposure to the food causing the reaction. What does this mean to all of us?
If your child has been diagnosed with a food allergy, please inform the nurse immediately about the allergy. A plan will be developed for preventing exposure to the food, as well as a plan for accidental exposure. You, the parent/guardian, will be involved in developing these plans. You will be asked to bring in medications for use in case of an emergency. These medications will be required to have the medication forms required for all medications.
If your child is in a class with a student with a food allergy, you may be asked not to send in certain foods for class parties. The sharing of this information with other families is up to the parents of the child who has the allergy.
If you are uncertain if your child has a food allergy, but s/he seems to have some symptoms, such as itching after eating a specific food, please contact your child's health care provider immediately. This provider is the best individual to determine what may be causing your child's itching, and what to do for it. While you are proceeding with contacting your child's health care provider,please inform the nurse so that we can work to keep your child as healthy as possible at school.
If you would like further information or have questions about food allergies, please feel free to contact the nurse for resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The best way to get information about food allergies is to ask your health care provider. He/She is aware of your (or your child's) health history, and can address both information about allergies in general, and what pertains to you specifically. However, if you wish to do additional research, it is important to obtain accurate information from reliable sources. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is a good place to look after speaking with the health care provider. You can reach the FAAN with the following link:
http://www.foodallergy.org/
The best way to get information about food allergies is to ask your health care provider. He/She is aware of your (or your child's) health history, and can address both information about allergies in general, and what pertains to you specifically. However, if you wish to do additional research, it is important to obtain accurate information from reliable sources. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is a good place to look after speaking with the health care provider. You can reach the FAAN with the following link:
http://www.foodallergy.org/