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Allergies are one of the most common types of chronic disease. An allergy occurs when the body’s immune system senses a substance to be harmful. The immune system releases chemicals that create what is known as an allergic reaction. Most people that develop allergies have mild to moderate symptoms, such as watery eyes, a runny nose, or a rash. However, exposure to an allergen can sometimes cause a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. This severe reaction happens when an over-release of chemicals puts the person into shock. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening, and requires prompt intervention. This page contains helpful information about non food allergies, food allergies, ways to treat allergies, and ways you can help keep your child safe from life-threatening allergies during school.
Non Food Allergies
Non Food Allergies
Airborne particles
Often called environmental allergens, these are most common. Airborne particles that can cause allergies include dust mites (tiny bugs that live in house dust), mold spores, animal dander (flakes of scaly, dried skin), dried saliva from your pets, pollen from grass, ragweed, and trees
Insect stings
The venom (poison) when an insect stings can cause allergic reactions. It can be severe and even cause an anaphylactic reaction in some people.
Medicines
Antibiotics are the most common type of medicines that cause allergic reactions. Many other medicines, including over-the-counter medications can also cause allergic reactions.
Chemicals
Some cosmetics or laundry detergents can make people break out in hives. Usually, this is because someone has a reaction to the chemicals in these products. Dyes, household cleaners, and pesticides used on lawns or plants can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Food Allergies
Food Allergies
A food allergy is a serious and potentially life-threatening medical condition. A food allergy happens when your immune system overreacts to a harmless food protein—an allergen
Food allergy may occur in response to any food, and some people are allergic to more than one food. Food allergies may start in childhood or as an adult.
Always take food allergies—and the people who live with them—seriously.
Food allergy reactions can vary unpredictably from mild to severe. Mild food allergy reactions may involve only a few hives or minor abdominal pain, though some food allergy reactions progress to severe anaphylaxis with low blood pressure and loss of consciousness.
Family history appears to play a role in whether someone develops a food allergy.
Allergies can be linked to other kinds of allergic reactions, like eczema, hay fever, or asthma.
Food allergies are not the same as food intolerance.
Food allergy symptoms overlap with symptoms of other medical conditions. For this reason, it is important to have your food allergy confirmed by an allergist.
Currently, there is no cure for food allergies.
In the U.S., the eight most common food allergens are milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish.
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction. It can begin very quickly, and symptoms may be life-threatening. The most common causes are reactions to foods, medications, and stinging insects. Other causes include exercise and exposure to latex. Sometimes no cause can be found.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis affect many body systems:
Skin - itching, hives, redness, swelling, pale or red color to the face or body
Nose - sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose
Mouth - itching, swelling of the lips or tongue
Throat - itching, tightness, trouble swallowing, swelling of the back of the throat
Chest - shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest pain or tightness
Heart - weak pulse, passing out, shock
Gastrointestinal tract - vomiting, diarrhea, cramps
Nervous system - dizziness or fainting
Feeling of "impending doom", also described as feeling as though something bad is happening, anxiety
Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine (2020) Retrieved from: https://medlineplus.gov/anaphylaxis.html
Management of Allergies
Management of Allergies
There is no cure for allergies, but symptoms can be managed. The best way to avoid allergic reactions is to stay away from the substances that cause them.. Doctors can also treat some allergies using medicines and allergy shots.
Avoidance
If you have a food allergy, avoid foods that trigger symptoms and read food labels to make sure you're not eating even tiny amounts of allergens.
If you have an environmental allergy, keep your house clean of dust and pet dander and watch the weather for days when pollen is high. Switching to perfume-free and dye-free detergents, cosmetics, and beauty products (you may see non-allergenic ingredients listed as hypoallergenic on product labels) also can help.
To help you avoid airborne allergens:
Keep family pets out of certain rooms, like bedrooms and bathe them if necessary. For some, not having a pet is necessary to prevent allergic illness.
Remove carpets or rugs from your room. Hard flooring does not collect as much dust as a carpet.
Don't hang heavy drapes and get rid of other items that let dust build up.
Clean often.
Use special covers to seal pillows and mattresses if you're allergic to dust mites.
If you are allergic to pollen: keep windows closed when pollen season is at its peak, change your clothing after being outdoors, and don't mow lawns.
If you are allergic to mold: avoid damp areas, such as basements, and keep bathrooms and other mold-prone areas clean and dry.
Medicines
Medicines (usually pills or nasal sprays) are often used to treat allergies. Although they can control the allergy symptoms (such as sneezing, headaches, or a stuffy nose), they are not a cure and can't make the tendency to have allergic reactions go away.
Many effective medicines are available to treat common allergies, and your doctor can help you to identify those that work for you.
If you are taking medicine, follow the directions carefully and make sure your regular doctor is aware of anything an allergist gives you (like shots or prescriptions).
If you have a severe allergy, consider wearing a medical emergency ID (such as a MedicAlert bracelet), which will explain your allergy and who to contact in case of an emergency.
Another type of medicine that some severely allergic people will need to have on hand is a shot of epinephrine (pronounced: eh-puh-NEH-frin). This fast-acting medicine can help offset an anaphylactic reaction. It comes in an easy-to-carry container that looks like a large pen. Epinephrine is available by prescription only. If you have a severe allergy and your doctor thinks you should carry it, he or she will give you instructions on how to use it.
Management of Anaphylaxis
Management of Anaphylaxis
Keeping Children Safe with Allergies Safe at School
Keeping Children Safe with Allergies Safe at School
Keeping Children Safe with Allergies Safe at School
Talk with the school nurse about your child’s allergy.
Provide completed allergy and anaphylaxis care plans to the school nurse. These need to be filled out by your medical provider yearly.
If medication, such as an epinephrine is ordered, make sure the school nurse has the prescribed medication for your child.
Review the care plan with the school nurse and make sure the allergy information is communicated to nutrition services and the school staff.
As a child is able, make sure your child is informed about their allergies including ways to avoid allergens, reading of labels, signs and symptoms of exposure, and what to do if symptoms arise.
School Forms
School Forms
Helpful for Dining Out
Helpful for Dining Out
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