Coping with food allergies as students head back to school - WDRB 41 Louisville - News, Weather, Sports Community

As many as 1 in 13 children in the US have food allergies. Thirty-nine percent of those children had life-threatening reactions.

The most common allergic foods are milk, egg, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, peanut, and tree nuts.

Signs of an Allergic Reaction

Tingling, itchiness, heaviness or funny feeling in the mouth
Hives
Breathing difficulty
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Fainting

What can Parents Do?

Discuss food allergies with your pediatrician or allergist prior to the start of school.
Get your JCPS asthma and allergy form completed, including all food allergies, medicines to have at school, and emergency contact information.
Make sure your Epipen or Epipen Jr. is not expired (lasts one year) and that you have one for school and home.

Talk to the School

Inform the teacher about your child's food allergies. Suggest minimizing class activities that involve food (art, rewards, parties) and notifying aides and substitute teachers about your child's allergies.

Talk to Your Child

Review which foods are safe or unsafe.
Review how to alert the teacher when an allergy problem arises.
Practice reading labels.
Discourage trading foods or eating unfamiliar foods.

 http://www.foodallergy.org/page/school-guidelines-for-managing-students-with-food-allergies

www.jefferson.k12.ky.us/Departments/NutritionServices/menus/Asthma-AllergyPCP.pdf

http://www.foodallergy.org/section/back-to-school-tool-kit