Search #ABSTRACT#
ABCs of Back to School With Food Allergies
Fairfax, VA August 5, 2002 - With the new school year just around the corner, parents across the country are helping their children get ready for a return to the classroom — stocking up on notebooks and pencils; purchasing the new fall fashions; scheduling hair cuts and annual physicals. But for the parents of children with food allergies, back to school also requires brushing up on the ABCs of preparing for and ensuring a safe school year:
A — Arrange a meeting. Schedule a visit with the school staff several weeks before class begins to discuss your child’s food allergy. The meeting with the principal, teacher, counselor, nurse, and cafeteria personnel should be informative, positive, and encourage questions and feedback. Be sure to request ahead of time the forms necessary for a child to have medications at school.
B — Bring medications. Completed medical forms, and any medications your child needs should be brought to the meeting. Highlight allergy information in bright ink on all forms. Demonstrate the use of the epinephrine kit (EpiPen® epinephrine auto-injector) if your child’s doctor has prescribed one.
C — Create an action plan. Work with school staff to have emergency systems in place for when an allergic reaction occurs. A free Food Allergy Action Plan is available for download online at www.foodallergy.org by clicking on the “Managing Food Allergies in School” link. In addition to allowing for registration of a student’s background information and emergency contacts, the form lists the symptoms of an allergic reaction and also provides instruction for administering epinephrine via auto-injector.
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) publishes a parent’s guide, Off to School with Food Allergies, containing questions and answers about food allergies, tips, and a checklist. For more information, contact FAAN at 800-929-4040.
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public awareness of, providing advocacy and education about, and advancing scientific research on food allergies and anaphylaxis. Established in 1991, FAAN has over 24,000 members, and provides educational information through its toll-free telephone line, 800-929-4040, and its website, www.foodallergy.org. FAAN recommends consulting a board-certified allergist to diagnose and manage food allergies.
###
Contact: Dey, L.P. Media Line 1-800-755-5560 ext. 8363
