Seasonal and environmental allergies are common. However, food allergies can become problematic for school-going children. An estimated 5.9 million children are allergic to food in America. If your child accidentally consumes food they are allergic to, they may experience skin rashes and digestive issues. No parent wants their child to suffer like this.
Allergic reactions can be dangerous, so it is important to understand how to prevent them and be safe. Not only can they be uncomfortable, but life-threatening at times too. You can protect your child by communicating with your child about safety measures and working with a midtown manhattan nutritional counseling.
Safety tips for school children with food allergies
- Be informed and educated.
Being informed and educated about your child’s allergy means being well-versed in your child’s particular problem. For example, if your child is allergic to meat, you should thoroughly understand which type of meat they are allergic to and what products have meat hidden in their ingredients. This will help you understand your child’s problem and prevent allergies in school.
- Get to know your child’s support team.
Familiarize yourself with the people your child meets every day at school, such as their teachers, other school staff, coaches, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, etc. Tell them about your child’s allergies and provide them with as much information about what your child can and cannot have. Clear any misconceptions they might have to avoid accidents.
- Communicate with your child.
One of the most important things you must do to help your child combat allergic reactions is to communicate with them. Most school-going children understand what allergies are, how their reactions are triggered, and why it is important to avoid certain foods. Therefore, make sure to have this communication with them before they start school.
Along with knowing which foods your child is allergic to, it is also important to know of the items that might contain the allergen. For example, if your child is allergic to milk, they also cannot eat ice cream.
- Help ensure appropriate storage of epinephrine.
Epinephrine treats sudden allergic reactions. Even though you should educate your child on how to prevent allergic reactions, they should also know how to combat one when it happens. Tell them about epinephrine and its uses.
Make sure your child knows where epinephrine is stored in their school and who they can speak to when they need it. It is also important to ensure that it is easy to access the medication in emergencies.
