Managing Life Threatening
Allergies In Our Schools
Common food allergies in children
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Milk
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Shellfish
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Egg
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Fish
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Peanut
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Soy
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Tree Nuts
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Wheat
Allergy Statistics
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“Researchers believe that the prevalence of food allergies is increasing and the
number of deaths from food allergy induced anaphylaxis is growing, and children
are the largest group of the population affected by food allergies.”
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15 million people in the US have a food allergy, including 1 in 13 children
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In the U.S., food allergy symptoms send someone to the emergency room every
three minutes.
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Peanut allergy is the food allergy most commonly associated with anaphylaxis
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The number of children in the U.S. with peanut allergy more than tripled between
1997 and 2008.
What is an allergy?
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The job of the body’s immune system is to identify and destroy
germs (such as bacteria or viruses) that make you sick. A food
allergy results when the immune system mistakenly targets a
harmless food protein – an allergen – as a threat and attacks it.
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Unlike other types of food disorders, such as intolerances, food
allergies are “IgE mediated.” This means that your immune
system produces abnormally large amounts of an antibody
called immunoglobulin E — IgE for short. IgE antibodies fight the
“enemy” food allergens by releasing histamine and other
chemicals, which trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS
Skin Contact Injection
Ingestion
Inhalation
Poison Plants
Medication
Pollen
Animal
Scratches
Bee Stings
Nuts &
Shellfish
Dust
Mold &
Mildew
Pollen
Latex
Animal
Dander
What is Anaphylaxis?
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Anaphylaxis is the life threatening form of an allergic
reaction.
According to the American Lung Association, it is a “sudden,
severe allergic response that usually produces breathing
difficulties, collapse and possible death.”
Usually occurs 1-15 minutes after exposure, rarely after 2
hours.
Requires immediate action – EpiPen®
Go to www.epipen.com/how-to-use-epipen
for a video demonstration
of
EpiPens®
Allergic Reactions vs.
Anaphylactic Reactions
Anaphylactic Reactions
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Hives
Swelling (face, lips, tongue, throat,
upper airway)
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Difficulty breathing
(chest
tightness)
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Vomiting, diarrhea, cramping
Difficulty swallowing
(voice
changes)
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Weakness, paleness, sweating
Feeling of impending doom
Allergic Reactions
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Runny Nose
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Itchy, Red, watery eyes
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Local reaction to sting,
UNLESS known to be
allergic to venom.
Symptoms that can occur during an
Anaphylactic Reaction
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Skin: Hives, swelling, itchy red rash
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Abdomin:Cramps, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, gas
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Neuro: Weakness, impending doom
feeling
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Respiratory: Itchy, watery eyes; runny
nose; stuffy nose; sneezing; cough;
itching or swelling of lips, tongue or
throat; changes in voice; difficulty
swallowing; tightness in chest;
wheezing; shortness of breath;
repetitive throat clearing.
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Cardiovascular: reduced blood
pressure, increased heart rate, shock,
pale and sweaty.
Common sites for
allergic reactions
Mouth (swelling of the
lips, tongue, itching lips)
Airways (wheezing or
breathing problems
Digestive tract
(stomach cramps,
vomiting, diarrhea)
Skin (hives, rashes, or
eczema)
How a Child Might Describe a Reaction
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It feels like something is poking my tongue.
My tongue (or mouth) is tingling (or burning).
My tongue (or mouth) itches.
My tongue feels like there is hair on it.
My mouth feels funny.
There’s a frog in my throat; there’s something stuck in my throat.
My tongue feels full (or heavy).
My lips feel tight.
It feels like there are bugs in there (to describe itchy ears).
It (my throat) feels thick.
It feels like a bump is on the back of my tongue (throat).
The symptoms and severity of allergic reactions to food, latex, insects or medications can be
different between individuals, and can also be different for one person over time.
Anaphylaxis is a sudden and severe allergic reaction that may cause death.
Not all allergic reactions will develop into anaphylaxis.
Anaphylactic Reactions
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An Allergic Reaction can advance at any time to an
Anaphylactic Reaction.
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An Anaphylactic Reaction can happen very quickly –
usually 1-15 minutes after being exposed to an allergen
(nuts, bees, latex, foods) or several hours following an
exposure
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Anaphylactic Reactions can involve many symptoms or
just one severe symptom (rapidly progressing hives,
difficulty breathing, upper airway swelling.)
Recognize Anaphylactic Reactions
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Be aware of the students in your classroom that
have life threatening allergies
Be aware of what the student is allergic to (nuts,
latex, bee stings, foods)
Recognize the signs and symptoms of an
Anaphylactic Reaction. Learn to use an EpiPen®.
Ask your school nurse for training.
RESPOND to those symptoms
Do Not Ignore
What to do when an Anaphylactic
Reaction occurs in your Classroom
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Call the School Nurse immediately.
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Identify the student and problem to the School Nurse.
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Ask the student if they have their EpiPen®
their person.
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DO NOT send a student who you suspect of having an
anaphylactic reaction to the Health Office. Call the School
Nurse to come to your classroom. She will bring an
EpiPen® and emergency equipment to assist the student
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Administer EpiPen® if you are medication delegated
School Nurse will call 911 or delegate a staff member to call
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on
How To Use An Epipen
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Identify Epipen as student’s Epipen through
proper label reading
Remove epipen from container
Remove blue cap. This activates the Epipen
The needle is enclosed
in the orange area and
never exposed
Directions for Use Of Epipen
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Hold Epipen in your fist with clenched fingers wrapped around the pen.
Hold it about 6 inches from outer thigh
Point the Epipen toward outer thigh
Swing and jab the black tip against the outer thigh until a loud click is
heard. This means the device has been administered.
Hold in place 10-15 seconds, needle will go through clothes because it
is spring loaded
Pull needle straight out.
Massage area for 10 seconds
Call 911
Dispose of Epipen in Sharps container or hand to EMT’s on their arrival
Epipen is spring loaded it will inject through clothes
Epipen Demonstration
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To view a video on Epipen administration you
can go to www.epipen.com or www.auviq.com
Always stay with student until school nurse
arrives and takes over.
Students may require second dose of
epinephrine
Other types of Epipens
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Auvi-Q
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Adrenaclick
How does the Medication help?
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EpiPen® = Epinephrine Medication
Quickly constricts blood vessels
Relaxes smooth muscles in the lungs to improve
breathing
Stimulates heartbeat
Works to reverse hives and swelling around the face
and lips
Wears off in 10-20 minutes, sometimes requires a
second dose, critical that 911 is called and student
transported to emergency room!
Emergency Action Plan
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TAKE ALL REACTIONS SERIOUSLY
Call your school nurse immediately
If you are trained administer an Epipen if you recognize a student’s
reaction as anaphylactic or call a trained school staff member
immediately to assist with the administration of an Epipen
School nurse will call 911 or delegate school staff to call
Monitor student’s breathing and circulation - CPR if needed
Notify Parent/Guardian
The “Good Samaritan Law” protects all individuals who administer
an Epipen from liability.
Deciding to become Epipen trained is a personal choice. If you make the
decision to become certified, please see your school nurse.
Certification involves reviewing this video, demonstration of Epipen
administration, and an understanding of allergic and anaphylactic
reactions and how to react to those situations.
Certification is an annual training
3 R’s for handling a Reaction
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RECOGNIZE the Signs & Symptoms
Life threatening or not?
REACT quickly –
Activate the student’s Emergency Care Plan
REVIEW what caused the reaction and did
the plan work? Evaluate the Emergency
Action Plan implemented. Any lessons
learned? Any changes to the plan required?
Food in your classroom and students
with life threatening allergies
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If you have student in your classroom who has a food allergy and snack time
takes place, please review that student’s Individualized Health Care Plan. This
plan will address snack issues and food allergies.
Hands must be washed before and after snack time
If a snack is eaten that could be a potential allergen the desk should be cleaned
with soap and water or Wet Ones wipes.
Food and beverages (other than water) should not be consumed by students in
classrooms at the Middle School and High School unless it is part of a lesson
plan
Students are not allowed coffee/foods or any other beverages other than water
in HS and MS classrooms. This is a violation of the EWPS Wellness Policy.
If you plan on using a food as part of a curriculum lesson, you must have
administrative and school nurse approval as well as the necessary form
completed.
Teachers must always leave a list of students with Life threatening Allergies in
the substitute teacher folder (form is available in Health Office)
Foods that may have hidden sources of
allergens
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Egg – artificial flavoring, pasta, baked goods, candy, mayonnaise, ice
cream
Milk – cheese, cream, hot dogs, deli meats, popsicles, tostito chips,
pretzals, cheetos, popcorn, yougurt, pudding, and cake mixes
Peanuts –artificial flavoring, baked goods, chocolate, sunflower seeds,
chili, spaghetti sauce, popcorn, granola bars, ice cream, candy, pesto
sauce, egg rolls, and marzipan
Tree nuts – mortadella, barbecue sauce, cereals, crackers, ice cream,
candy, salad dressings, artificial flavoring, and pesto
Fish – Caesar dressing, worcheshire sauce, imitation crabmeat
Soy – artificial flavoring, asian foods, baked goods, canned tuna,
cereal, crackers, and sauces
Always read labels!!!!!
List of common tree nuts
Almond
Beechnut
Brazil nut
Bush nut
Butternut
Cashew
Chestnut
Coconut*
Filbert
Ginko nut
Hazelnut
Hickory nut
Lichee nut
Macadamia nut
Nangai nut
Pecan
Pine nut
Pistachio
Shea nut
Walnut
Common sources of peanut proteins
Arachic oil
Arachis
Arachis hypogaea
Artificial nuts
Beer nuts
Boiled peanuts
Cold pressed, extruded or expelled peanut oil
Crushed nuts, crushed peanuts
Earth nuts
Goober peas
Ground nuts, ground peanuts
Hydrolyzed peanut protein
Mandelonas
Mixed nuts
Monkey nuts
Nu nuts flavored nuts
Nut pieces
Nutmeat
Peanuts, peanut butter, peanut butter chips, peanut butter morsels
Peanut flour
Peanut paste
Peanut sauce, peanut syrup
Spanish peanuts
Virginia peanuts
Supplies In Your Classroom
If you have a student who has an life threatening allergy
in your classroom please remember to:
Read all labels of supplies being used in your
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classroom. Identify any potential allergens and do
not use them in your classroom.
2.
Do not use any supply whose contents is not
clearly defined. If you are unsure, please check with
the school nurse, manufacturer, or a parent as they
may be familiar with the supply or product.
Products that may have hidden
sources of Allergens
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Birdseed
Playdough or clay
Paints
Glue
Shaving Cream
Toothpaste
Animals/animal food
Bean bags, hackeysacks,
and draft dodgers
Anaphylactic Reaction
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If a child/staff member in your building does have an
anaphylactic reaction and an Epipen is administered, a
debriefing will occur with all staff involved immediately after the
event.
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At this debriefing, the event will be discussed “what went right”
“what could have been done different” and “why did the
anaphylaxis take place (known or unknown allergen).
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The outcome of the debriefing may assist staff in developing a
new plan if necessary for that student or staff member or it may
confirm a very appropriate plan.
Final Reminders
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The School Nurse will provide you with a list of students in your classroom who
have allergies
The district does have a “Life Threatening Allergy School Policy”. It can viewed
through our district website: www.eastwindsork12.org
Parents are a great resource of information if you have any questions regarding
a student’s allergies.
Always remember to leave the appropriate form for substitutes. This form lists
your students who have allergies.
Bullying can be an issue for those students who suffer from life- threatening
allergies. Please address this issue if you observe it or report the bullying to an
administrator
If you have any questions or concerns regarding a student’s allergies do not
hesitate to speak to your school nurse.
Sign acknowledgement of receipt form after viewing power point and return to
the school nurse