If your child suffers from allergies, arrange a meeting with the school staff to discuss the welfare of your child. An action plan should be developed so the school personnel will be familiar with what triggers the child's reactions, as well as how to administer help if a reaction occurs.

Allergy Action Plan
The parents, teacher, school nurse, and child should all meet and formulate a school action plan. The best results occur when all are involved. This allergy action plan should include an identification sheet that lists in detail the following items:

• Specific allergy triggers
• Warning signs or symptoms of a reaction
• How to treat the reaction
• When to seek medical attention

A medication form, as required by federal law, should be on file with the school. This form is completed by your child's physician to describe your child's medical needs. It also makes it possible for the school to keep and dispense medications for your child. On this form, the physician should:

• Describe the extent of the child's allergies
• Notate whether the allergies may result in an anaphylactic reaction
• Identify the drugs prescribed with the dosage and way to administer them
• Explain in detail when the medication should be administered
• Describe what to do following administration of the medication

Potential School Allergens
The common allergens to be aware of in the school environment are very similar to the ones found at home.

• animals
• carpet
• chalk dust
• dust
• foods 
• molds, mildew
• paint fumes
• perfume
• pollen
• scented markers, stickers

Common Symptoms
The child may suffer from a wide range of symptoms. The teacher should notate and report to the parents any noticeable changes in the child's symptoms or behavior.

• abdominal cramps
• aches and pains
• chronic cough
• constant runny nose
• dark circles under eyes
• diarrhea
• disruptive behavior
• excessive throat clearing
• eczema
• headaches
• irritability
• itchiness
• puffy eyes
• skin rashes
• sleepiness or drowsiness
• sniffling
• varied attention span
• vomiting

Steps for Parents
Parents have responsibilities in helping their child have a safe school experience.

• Educate your child about his/her allergy
• Teach your child the importance of avoiding allergens
• Discuss possible peer pressure
• Provide a medical alert bracelet or necklace

Steps for Teachers
Teachers can help ease the parents' minds by:

• Meeting with them to discuss fully the extent of the allergies
• Keeping them informed of any classroom activities that may include possible allergens
• Notating and informing them of any changes in the child's symptoms
• Keeping the line of communication open with the child, so the child will feel comfortable coming to you if a reaction occurs
• Marking the records clearly to alert substitute teachers

 

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