INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS AND PARENTS
Many children are allergic to
foods, and peanuts and other nuts are the most common and most serious
offenders. This letter is being
sent to your school because at least one of the children in your school has
already manifested a serious reaction to nuts.
We encourage you to share this information with the parents.
IS FOOD/PEANUT
ALLERGY COMMON?
Yes.
Statistically, it is most likely that there will be at least one child in
your school who could become very seriously ill and require emergency treatment
if he or she ate peanuts. It is
more common than any other life-threatening problem that you might encounter in
the school situation!
SUPPOSE THERE IS A
REACTION IN THE SCHOOL SETTING?
The
reaction can be quickly reversed by an injection of adrenaline given with an
Epi-pen® or Twinject™ (supplied by the parent). There
would be no significant harm if this were given and not truly needed, but very
serious complications could follow if the caretaker were not to give it.
Every adult in the school setting should learn the instructions in its
use.
WHAT IS THE IDEAL
TREATMENT?
PREVENTION!!! Avoid
the triggers. Obviously the parents
and children with food allergy know not to have peanuts around.
Considerate classmates and their parents will not bring peanuts, peanut
butter, or foods containing peanuts into the classroom.
How would you feel if you were the responsible party to bring a food that
triggered a life-threatening situation! Just
as a child is not allowed to bring a weapon into the school, potentially lethal
foods (to some children) should be avoided. If a child must (??) bring
peanut foods into the classroom, be sure the foods are adequately labeled.
SHOULDN’T THE CHILD KNOW NOT TO EAT PEANUTS?
Children with food allergies generally know which
foods to avoid. Unfortunately, sharing of foods and the inadvertent mixing of
foods between children in school is very common. Also, some children can have a life-threatening reaction to
just a fraction of a peanut.
IF THE REACTION IS
SO SERIOUS, WHY IS THE CHILD IN SCHOOL?
The
reaction is always avoidable with appropriate care, as outlined above and
reversible if a reaction should occur. Also,
the Americans with Disabilities Act legally protect the child’s place in the
classroom.
IF ANY TEACHER OR SCHOOL WOULD
LIKE MORE INFORMATION OR A DISCUSSION ON THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT, OR OTHER
ALLERGY PROBLEMS, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE.