Managing Allergies in School: A Guide for Parents

It is highly recommended that children with food allergies or children who are at risk for anaphylaxis have written school plans and forms in place. A school health care plan can include one or more of the following:

• Individualized health care plan (IHP). The school nurse writes this plan.
• Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan (ECP). This may also be called an Emergency Action Plan, an Allergy Action Plan or an Allergy & Anaphylaxis Action Plan. Your child’s doctor writes this treatment plan.
• Section 504 Plan. This is written by the school team and parents. A child would also have an ECP to manage allergy emergencies.
• Individualized Education Plan. This is for students that also have an educational disability. This is written by the school team.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act are federal laws that protect students with disabilities in the school setting.

An Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan, or Allergy Action Plan, will identify your child’s allergy and your child’s symptoms. It will provide instructions as to what action should be taken in the event of a serious allergic reaction, including medication to be given. This can help school staff and also with other caregivers who need to understand allergies.

Examples as printable pdf:

• American Academy of Pediatrics Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan
• SN CHAT – Download tool to get the Anaphylaxis Action Plan

You should provide the school with a statement of your child’s medical diagnosis stating their allergen(s). This may be on a form you are required to submit or you can write a letter explaining your child’s allergies. Your child’s doctor should provide the Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan and any written orders for medications.

If you want a letter to go home to classroom families, one can be sent without identifying your child.

If your child is prescribed an EpiPen(R), Auvi-Q(R) or other type of epinephrine auto-injector, the doctor and school nurse can determine if your child is developmentally ready to carry medication at school. Most states allow children to carry epinephrine at school.

Allergy medication can be kept in the school health office to be administered to your child as needed. Students are sometimes not permitted to carry medications at school. Check with school officials to determine how they handle medications that are given on an “as-needed” basis.

If your child reacts to objects that contain natural latex or certain foods that cross-react with latex, schedule a visit with a doctor or allergist to determine if a latex allergy is present.

Most desks don’t contain latex. Latex appears in items commonly used in school, including many brands of erasers, balloons, rubber bands, gloves, balls and mats used in physical education. The school needs to identify latex-free school products and latex-free sports equipment when a student has an allergy.

As with all allergies, the school is responsible for providing a safe environment for a student. While latex allergy is rare, affecting up to 6 percent of the population, and children who have undergone multiple surgeries – such as children with spina bifida – are at an increased risk for latex allergy.

The only way for people with latex allergy to prevent an allergic reaction is strict avoidance of latex.

Latex allergy management at school is as complex as it is important. Some articles with latex are easy to spot – latex balloons, rubber gloves, rubber bands, while some aspects of latex allergy are harder to spot. Many people don’t realize that latex can cross-react with foods that have similar proteins, especially fruits such as banana, avocado, chestnut and kiwi. Special attention must be paid to both the classroom and cafeteria settings in the school setting.

Latex Allergy: A Practical Guide for Patients & Providers is a printable pdf and guide to manage latex allergy in schools.

Any time that a child with allergies changes their routine, there is a risk for an allergic reaction. With environmental allergies, when the child returns to school, it is often the season for ragweed pollen.

Many allergens are indoor irritants. Some students can be very sensitive to odors, including perfumes or cleaning supplies.

It’s important for students with environmental allergies to know the air quality index each day to manage their allergies well. You can use the Asthma and Allergy Forecast to help gauge outdoor conditions for asthma, allergy and the flu in your zip code any day of the year.

Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, is best prevented by avoiding the child’s allergen and preventing an exposure. This can be very difficult with cross-contact and hidden ingredients, but this is the only way to truly prevent an allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis is most often seen in allergies to food, insect venom, latex and medications. Sometimes the cause of anaphylaxis may be unknown. Work with your child’s allergist to identify a cause.

Parents are very used to managing their child’s allergies at home. They often have a routine that avoids exposure to the allergen. They also provide medicine whenever needed. Schools interrupt the home routine and put the child in a different environment. Both of these may cause allergies to seemingly “get worse.”

Allergies can be managed, but rarely can we “get rid of” an allergy. With vigilance in avoiding allergen exposures, proper medication when needed, and a collaborative relationship between home and school, your child can achieve a high quality of life even with allergies.

In most cases, it is always advisable to send a child with allergies to school. The school can help manage the allergy and your child will benefit from the school’s educational program on a daily basis.

Students’ school performance can be affected any time they don’t feel well. This can happen during high pollen seasons as well as exposure to other allergens. Working with the school to minimize allergen exposure can help your child do well in school.