Food Allergy Management in Schools

Allergic reactions can be life threatening and have far-reaching effects on children and their families, as well as on the schools or early care and education (ECE) programs they attend. Staff who work in schools and ECE programs should have protocol for preventing an allergic reaction and responding to a food allergy emergency.

Symptoms of Food Allergy in Children:

• 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 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.5 Not all allergic reactions will develop into anaphylaxis.

Read  More: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/foodallergies/index.htm