Food Allergy at School

If not treated properly, severe reactions can lead to anaphylaxis that requires specific medical attention. This is manifested by intense concurrent reactions such as hives, itching, swollen throat, difficult breathing, low blood pressure, and unconsciousness at some instances.

If food allergy is taken in consideration by the school management, students can be handled without any risk as they are provided a safe educational environment.

Students with food allergy have to notify their condition so the school's administration has a plan on how to accommodate in case of attacks, in the classroom, cafeteria, post - care programs, school bus, FAAP (Food Allergy Haste Plan). 

• Medical instructions, documentations, and medications provided by the child's physician through the FAAP demand have to be submitted.

• Medicines must be replaced after use with proper labels. 

• Parents have to educate their children about unsafe types of food, ways to avoid them, recognize allergic symptoms, and the right time to tell once allergic symptoms occur.

• Procedures have to be reviewed with the child.

• Contact information has to be given in case of attacks.

• In order the FAAP becomes efficient and effective, proper coordination is required. All medications have to be properly secure and accessible within school premises.
  

The school has to know national laws and any district or state policies. the student's health records has to be provided to the administration by their physicians and parents the school principal, nurses, teachers, school food services, have to work effectively with both students and parents and establish a prevention plan.

Students with food allergy have to be part of all school activities. School staffs with direct contact to the students have to know about food allergy recognizes its symptoms, coordinates to get rid of allergens in the meals, school projects, and educational tools.

The students should never exchange different types of foods with other students, eat types of food without knowing its ingredients, participate actively on the FAAP, and immediately notify adults in cases of emergency.

Students suffering of allergy can go through their allergies thanks to proper daily activities. Administration, parents, physicians as well as the children have to work hand in hand together to manage this specific situation.