Peanut Allergies

[Aneroo, LPN]

I have a friend who lives in California. Her son will start school next year, and he has peanut allergies (to the point they need to carry an epi-pen).

The school he will be going to does not have any rules against PB in schools. In fact, they actually SERVE PB&J during lunch sometimes. Of course she's concerned (actually, she's PO'd ).

I said I'd look up some stuff at work tomorrow. I know I have a big ol' folder about food allergies, but don't know if was a natl. thing or a state thing.

Are there laws about PB in schools, or is it just something nice that the schools do to cover their butt and not cause an anaphylactic reaction?

[kidsnurse1969]

Our school had our first student with a severe PB allergy this year. (He was a pre-K student and ended up moving within a couple of months). I did not feel that the school could "guarantee" a peanut free environment. So we became an "Allergy Aware Area". We posted signs on all entrances that asked that nuts and nut products be kept out of common areas. The classroom became a nut free zone. All snacks and treats needed to be pre-packaged and include ingredient labels. People were asked to wash their hands when they entered the classroom. He was only in school for half a day and didn't eat lunch so we didn't have to cross that bridge yet. The cooks took PB cookies off the menu so the particles were not in the air but left other PB on the menu.

The most severely allergic students can have a reaction from cross contaminated items. I don't know how to protect the kiddos from that effectively. The students will have to be prepared for possible exposure where ever they go.

Good Luck!

[bergren]

National Association of School Nurses Resources:

http://www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=563

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Position Statement

on Anaphylaxis in schools and other child-care settings:

http://www.aaaai.org/members/academy_statements/position_statements/ps34.asp

The AAAAI does not recommend a peanut free school, but does recommend many procedures, inlcuding peanut free tables and no eating rules on school buses: http://www.aaaai.org/members/academy_statements/position_statements/ps34.asp

Here is the Food Allergy Asthma Network Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies in School: http://www.foodallergy.org/school/SchoolGuidelines.pdf

The Food Allergy Action Plan to have in place in the event of an exposure: http://www.foodallergy.org/actionplan.pdf

[Aneroo, LPN]

Thanks!

They live in a high population area (near LA), so I would assume the school would have already had students with allergies before (who knows, it could be a new school). Luckily, for this kid, his mom is a fighter and is very determined. She will be going to the next school board meeting, and I sure she will be grateful to have this information!