A new one for me

mrsfoster601 · Sep 25, 2017

Actually you don't need a doctor's order for salt water gargles, just ask the parent if it's okay. I live in Texas and it's common to do that for sore throats. I do ask the child or parent if they want to do it, and some say yes, some say no.

So will you give a child with shellfish allergies salt water to gargle with?

Eleven011 · Sep 25, 2017

So will you give a child with shellfish allergies salt water to gargle with?

Since I use Morton's table salt without iodine, yes I would.

mrsfoster601 · Sep 25, 2017

Since I use Morton's table salt without iodine, yes I would.

Oh ok but my school policy says differ

AdobeRN · Sep 25, 2017

So will you give a child with shellfish allergies salt water to gargle with?

Dumb question here...but what would be the problem doing a salt water gargle with a shellfish allergy? I have never heard of that before.

mrsfoster601 · Sep 25, 2017

Dumb question here...but what would be the problem doing a salt water gargle with a shellfish allergy? I have never heard of that before.

It's not a dumb question you as a nurse should know that people allergic to shellfish is actually allergic to the iodine in shellfish and some table salt has iodine in it do your research NURSE! no medical question is dumb!

Farawyn · Sep 25, 2017

4th grader came in complaining of a sore throat. States her throat been sore for a week now. Took her temperature and no fever. Asked her what mom said she said mom just been giving her cough medicine. ok..gave student a drink of water. Spoke with mom and mom wanted me to give her warm salt water couldn't find any salt... gave her plain water... first time somebody ever ask for salt water .....back to class she goes just wondering if any of you school nurses had parents to ask for weird stuff

Not weird.

I often have the kids gargle with warm salt water.

Farawyn · Sep 25, 2017

It's not a dumb question you as a nurse should know that people allergic to shellfish is actually allergic to the iodine in shellfish and some table salt has iodine in it do your research NURSE! no medical question is dumb!

Ha.

Most table salt has no discernible traces of iodine unless specified on the label. And most people with iodine shellfish allergies don't react to table salt.

AdobeRN · Sep 25, 2017

Sorry just a question :) My nephew has a shellfish allergy and I have never given a thought about using table salt in our food when we have them over for meals. I just asked my sister about it also and she had never heard of it either - maybe he is part of the MOST group that the salt doesn't bother him.

BeckyESRN · Sep 25, 2017

Sorry just a question :) My nephew has a shellfish allergy and I have never given a thought about using table salt in our food when we have them over for meals. I just asked my sister about it also and she had never heard of it either - maybe he is part of the MOST group that the salt doesn't bother him.

A shellfish allergy is not an allergy to iodine. The old school of thought was that the iodine actually triggered the reaction, but it's not believed that that is the case. The shellfish allergy is actually to a protein in the shellfish, not to iodine. Sea salt may be an issue because of the microscopic critters (technical term:P) that are concentrated in the salt as the sea water evaporates.

AdobeRN · Sep 25, 2017

A shellfish allergy is not an allergy to iodine. The old school of thought was that the iodine actually triggered the reaction, but it's not believed that that is the case. The shellfish allergy is actually to a protein in the shellfish, not to iodine. Sea salt may be an issue because of the microscopic critters (technical term:P) that are concentrated in the salt as the sea water evaporates.

right - I get it about the sea salt. It was the iodine issue.

Amethya · Sep 26, 2017

To reply to you:

I know all my kids allergies, (564) and I called each parent with such allergies. I asked the parents if it's severe or if they are allergic to anything else, and so far I only had 3 children with Shellfish allergies and I have used salt water gargles and no issues with them. No child in my school is allergic to anything else in my office, thankfully/

As I said before, I ASK each parent before administering anything. I never give the child anything that I know could hurt them here and so far, I had no issues.

This is why, I would ASK your admin and your supervisor nurse what you are allowed to administer if there's something you wish to administer without doctor's orders. I would think Salt would be fine, as well as other items that you usually use in your clinic, but if you feel you need to go by "doctor's orders" then ask.

mrsfoster601 · Sep 26, 2017

To reply to you:
I know all my kids allergies, (564) and I called each parent with such allergies. I asked the parents if it's severe or if they are allergic to anything else, and so far I only had 3 children with Shellfish allergies and I have used salt water gargles and no issues with them. No child in my school is allergic to anything else in my office, thankfully/
As I said before, I ASK each parent before administering anything. I never give the child anything that I know could hurt them here and so far, I had no issues.
This is why, I would ASK your admin and your supervisor nurse what you are allowed to administer if there's something you wish to administer without doctor's orders. I would think Salt would be fine, as well as other items that you usually use in your clinic, but if you feel you need to go by "doctor's orders" then ask.

I already know my district's policy as stated before. I was not asking a question or wanting anybody's opinions about anything like I said before my district does not allow anything given without a doctor's order don't know why I just follow the policy