Management of Food Allergy in Schools - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Management of Food Allergy in Schools  Learning BurstThis resource was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number NU38OT000282, funded by the Healthy Schools Branch - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the American Academy of Pediatrics and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Department of Health and Human Services.

2. Learning OutcomesBy the end of this learning burst, participants will be able to:Understand what it means to have a food allergyUnderstand the impact food allergies have on children and adolescentsUnderstand the key priorities for managing food allergies in schoolsCreate an approach to manage food allergies based on effective partnerships

3. What is a food allergy?A food allergy happens when your immune system overreacts to what for most people is a harmless food protein—an allergen—causing an allergic reactionFood allergy reactions can vary unpredictably and are potentially life-threateningEarly and quick recognition and treatment can prevent serious health problems or death.Strict avoidance of the food allergen is the only way to prevent a reaction https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21134576/ https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/what-food-allergy https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/foodallergies/index.htm

4. Signs & Symptoms of an Allergic ReactionSymptoms of a food allergy reaction can include:Swollen lips, tongue, or eyesItchiness, rash, or hivesAbdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrheaCongestion, hoarse voice, or trouble swallowingWheezing or difficulty breathingDizziness, fainting, or loss of consciousnessMood change or confusionAAAAI Anaphylaxis DefinedCDC Managing Food Allergies in SchoolsAllergy & Asthma Network: What is Anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic response that involves 2 or more body organs/systems – i.e. skin, respiratory system, digestive system, heart.If a student experiences anaphylaxis, Epinephrine should be administered right away to prevent symptoms from becoming life threatening: Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or airway blockageA racing and weak pulse, low blood pressure, or abnormal heart rhythmSevere swelling, including swelling of the mouth, throat and airwaysFeeling dizzy, faint or loss of consciousnessSudden drop of blood pressure, cardiac or respiratory arrest

5. Food Allergies by Numbers Food allergies affect up to 10% of children. Anaphylaxis is estimated to occur in 1 in 15 schools per year. 5.6 million children have food allergies. That’s 1 in 13 children, or roughly two in every classroom.About 40% of children with food allergies are allergic to more than one food. >15% of school-aged children with food allergies have had a reaction in school.25% of first-time anaphylactic reactions reported in the school setting were those of students with no known history of an allergy.https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/facts-and-statisticshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30455345/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11434845/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11295721/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30646188/https://www.foodallergyawareness.org/education/for-school-personnel/for-school-personnel/

6. Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies In Schools and Early Care and Education Programs

7. Priorities for Managing Food Allergies in SchoolsDaily Food Allergy ManagementIdentify students with food allergiesDevelop a written plan for managing and preventing food allergic reactions for individual students.Support students in managing their food allergiesAllergic Emergency PreparednessEstablish communication systems within school grounds and with local emergency medical servicesIdentify the role of each staff member in an emergencyExample: Staff having rapid access to epinephrine auto-injectorsDocument the response to a food allergy emergency

8. Priorities for Managing Food Allergies in SchoolsTraining and Professional DevelopmentProvide general food allergy training for the entire staffProvide in-depth training for staff with frequent contact with students with food allergiesProvide specialized training for staff who routinely manage the health of students with food allergies Education for the School CommunityTeach all students, both with and without food allergies, about food allergy and school policyTeach all caregivers, both with and without food allergies, about food allergy and school policyProvide information to all parents about what is being done to prevent food allergy reactions in the classroom

9. Priorities for Managing Food Allergies in SchoolsCreation of a Healthy and Safe Educational EnvironmentCreate an environment that is as safe as possible from exposure to food allergensDevelop policies and procedures to prevent cross contact of food allergensCreate a positive psychosocial culture with goals to reduce bullying and social isolationPromote awareness and understandingIMAGE

10. Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies In Schools and Early Care and Education Programs

11. Case Scenario(s)

12. RecapEffective management of a student’s food allergies in schools will require:A coordinated approachStrong leadership in the schoolSpecificity and comprehensivenessA strong written plan for managing and preventing food allergic reactions and to create a safe learning environment for all students will:Reflect clear goals, purposes, and expectations for food allergy management that correspond with the school’s policies.Be clear and easy to understand and implement. Be responsive to the needs of any child with food allergies by considering the different and unique needs of each student. Be adaptable and updated regularly based on experiences, best practices, current research, and changes in district policy or state law.

13. Ensure the daily management of food allergies in individual children.Prepare for food allergy emergencies.Provide professional development on food allergies for all school staff.Educate children and family members about food allergies.Create and maintain a healthy and safe educational environment.

14. ResourcesAllergy & Asthma Network: What is Anaphylaxis? American Academy of Pediatrics: Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management in SchoolsAmerican Academy of Pediatrics: Management of Food Allergy in the School Setting Clinical ReportAmerican Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: Tools for the Public: Anaphylaxis Defined CDC Healthy Schools: Food AllergiesCDC: Managing Food Allergies in Schools: The Role of School Teachers and ParaeducatorsCDC Healthy Schools: Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies In Schools and Early Care and Education ProgramsFARE: Back-to-School HeadquartersFARE: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care PlanKids with Food Allergies: Managing Food Allergies at SchoolNational Association of School Nurses: Clinical Conversations for Food Allergy Management

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