Whenever a school year starts, the challenges of handling the food allergies of your child emerge again. Food allergies in kids are becoming more common than ever. With such a trend, there may be at least two students who suffer from food allergies in any classroom. Moreover, with the availability of communal meals and shared spaces in the school environment, children are at risk of experiencing food-related health issues. This makes it important to manage the food allergies of your child and seek Sunny Hill pediatrics services if necessary.
What are Food Allergies in Children
Food allergies develop as the immune system responds to some food allergen that your child’s body mistakenly identifies as dangerous. If your child has a food allergy and eats the food, they can experience different symptoms.
Milk, soy, eggs, shellfish, fish, peanuts, and wheat are common allergies in children. These foods account for most serious allergic reactions, and they pose unique issues in terms of exposure avoidance and allergy management. Food allergy symptoms usually include hives, itchy skin, a rash, stomach pain, tongue, face, or lip swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis is the most serious allergic reaction that must be brought to a doctor’s attention as soon as possible. But symptoms vary by child.
Why You Should Inform Your Child’s School
To help your school kid manage their food allergies, make sure their school is aware and ready to handle possible reactions. This way, your child won’t come into contact with allergens and get access to immediate care if necessary. Educate their school about the allergies of your child, particularly their teachers, the administrators, and the school nurse.
As you communicate with the teacher, give a list of foods that your child cannot eat and describe the symptoms to watch out for when an allergic reaction develops. Also, discuss how your little one communicates whenever they feel unwell or if they think they have eaten food they are allergic to.
In addition, ensure you ask questions regarding the policies of the school that have to do with food allergies. Also, ask about how the school handles a food allergy emergency. As a parent, you want to know if additional measures that the school has in place to keep your child safe.
Also, the school nurse must be given a written plan, prepared by the pediatrician of your child. This plan must outline the measures that need to be taken when an allergic reaction develops. It must include the names and dosages of medications your child must take.
