PREVIOUS MYTH:
Food allergies to foods other than nuts are mild
NEXT MYTH:
We can't afford a full-time school nurse
PREVIOUS MYTH:
Food allergies to foods other than nuts are mild
NEXT MYTH:
We can't afford a full-time school nurse
Staff Training: Food Allergies & Anaphylaxis in School – What School Staff Need to Know
This 30 minute module is designed to assist the school nurse in staff training of management of life-threatening allergic reactions and increase food allergy awareness for all school staff including teachers, food service personnel, administrators, aides, specialists, coaches, bus drivers, custodians and others.
FOOD ALLERGY MYTH
“The cafeteria is the riskiest place in school.”
FOOD ALLERGY FACT
The classroom is the most common place for symptoms of allergic reactions to begin.
COMMENTARY:
Mandated reporting of epinephrine in MA schools ( 2009-2010) demonstrated that 45% of the cases had symptoms develop in the classroom, 14 % in the cafeteria, 9% in the health office, 7% on the playground/outside/recess, and 25% in various locations both inside and outside the school building .This drives home the importance of school wide policies that include prevention strategies and emergency preparedness that include all locations where students spend time, beyond the cafeteria and with a focus on the classroom.
RESOURCES:
- The Management of Life Threatening Allergies in School: Lessons Learned from Massachusetts. This piece drives home the importance of practical, well-thought out guidelines and data collection of mandated reporting of epinephrine administrations.It includes a discussion of the Massachusetts experience, a summary of recent data and a discussion of ongoing challenges.
- Food Allergen Exposure in the School Setting: A handy reference table that reviews evidence, challenges, and interventions for exposure to food allergens.
REFERENCES:
- DATA HEALTH BRIEF: EPINEPHRINE ADMINISTRATION IN SCHOOLS. Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Community Health Access and Promotion. School Health Unit. 2009-2010.
