WRSD Food Allergy Guidelines

Introduction

The guidelines presented are to assist the Westwood Regional School District and its staff, students, and families, in the care of students with life-threatening allergic conditions.

The guidelines address:

The scope of the problem of childhood allergies.
Types of detailed policies and protocols that should be in place in every school to help prevent allergic reaction emergencies and deaths from anaphylaxis,
The systematic planning and multi-disciplinary team approach needed prior to school entry by the student with life-threatening food allergies,
The school’s role in preventing exposure to specific allergens,
Emergency management should a life-threatening allergic event occur, and
The roles of specific staff members in the care of the student with a life-threatening allergic condition.

While this document focuses on food allergies, treatment of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) is the same whether caused by: insect sting; latex; or exercise induced.

Food Allergy Overview

A food allergy is defined as an adverse health effect arising from a specific immune response that occurs reproducibly on exposure to a given food. The immune response can be severe and life-threatening. Although the immune system normally protects people from germs, in people with food allergies, the immune system mistakenly responds to food as if it were harmful. One way that the immune system causes food allergies is by making a protein antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) to the food. The substance in foods that cause this reaction is called the food allergen. When exposed to the food allergen, the IgE antibodies alert cells to release powerful substances, such as histamine, that cause symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system and lead to a life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.

Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is best described as a severe allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. Not all allergic reactions will develop into anaphylaxis In fact, most are mild and resolve without problems. However, early signs of anaphylaxis can resemble a mild allergic reaction. Unless obvious symptoms—such as throat hoarseness or swelling, persistent wheezing, or fainting or low blood pressure—are present, it is not easy to predict whether these initial, mild symptoms will progress to become an anaphylactic reaction that can result in death. Therefore, all children with known or suspected ingestion of a food allergen and the appearance of symptoms consistent with an allergic reaction must be closely monitored and possibly treated for early signs of anaphylaxis.

Food Allergy Symptoms in Children

Children with food allergies might communicate their symptoms in the following ways:

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).

Source: The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. Food Allergy News. 2003;13(2).

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