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Original poster

Proof of allergy for school - but I don’t have proof ?!

29 replies

Cowsmilkallergy · 27/08/2023 11:49

What do I do ? The school need proof but the waiting list for allergy testing is months.

we are sure ds has a cows milk allergy but as we are waiting for tests we don’t have proof, so that also means they can’t give antihistamine as it’s not prescribed we just buy it as the gp can’t prescribe till the allergy tests are done !

What do people do in this situation ?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 27/08/2023 11:52

ask the GP for a copy of the refferal?

cansu · 27/08/2023 11:52

Ask GP for note. If the anti histamine is needed for your dc's safety then they should do a note saying what to do when there are signs of an allergic reaction. If you get no joy try speaking to school nursing service.

Coffeaddict · 27/08/2023 11:56

Agree ask the gp for a note. Also if it turns out negative it doesn't show non ige allergies. A note from peads or the GP is sufficient to even say he is in the process of testing

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Original poster
Cowsmilkallergy · 27/08/2023 11:57

Sirzy · 27/08/2023 11:52

ask the GP for a copy of the refferal?

I’ll try that thanks . They had said they couldn’t prescribe the antihistamine as we can buy it but I just need to have a bottle kept at school and they only accept prescription medications I’m wondering if they’ll do a one off ?

OP posts:
acquiescence · 27/08/2023 11:58

We were in this position with a non IGE cows milk allergy, not under dietician - we got a GP letter. Be warned that if you have said your child has an allergy and have no proof then the school may just refuse to provide anything, this is what happened to us! They did agree to give him a jacket potato with bean or tuna but nothing else. This suited him well fortunately! And then they provided the cows milk allergy menu when the letter was provided.

Original poster
Cowsmilkallergy · 27/08/2023 12:01

acquiescence · 27/08/2023 11:58

We were in this position with a non IGE cows milk allergy, not under dietician - we got a GP letter. Be warned that if you have said your child has an allergy and have no proof then the school may just refuse to provide anything, this is what happened to us! They did agree to give him a jacket potato with bean or tuna but nothing else. This suited him well fortunately! And then they provided the cows milk allergy menu when the letter was provided.

I assumed they’d tear it as an allergy till proven otherwise but they can’t even have antihistamines there unless prescribed and need proof but we can’t get seen any quicker for the tests it’s a nightmare !

OP posts:
Original poster
Cowsmilkallergy · 27/08/2023 12:01

tear - treat

OP posts:
Original poster
Cowsmilkallergy · 27/08/2023 12:02

I feel like amending my form to say ‘vegan’ now 😂

OP posts:
BogRollBOGOF · 27/08/2023 12:11

DS was diagnosed with his allergies at 1 and discharged from dieticians at 3. It was awkward as there were some foods that he'd just never wanted to try to know how he would tolerate them so it was all a bit unclear about what he medically could/ couldn't eat. As his diet was fairly functional by 5, I left it as he'd naturally swerve the higher risk foods anyway. At 12, he has still never drunk cows milk.

If he'd been more reactive at 5, I would have contacted the GP, but the GP didn't have any up to date information by that point anyway.

It is very frustrating when school policies are utterly out of sync with dealing with the reality of the NHS.

mumof1879 · 27/08/2023 12:25

We had this for my daughter and had to get GP to refer to dietician so dietician would then write to the school as the school needed a recent letter and we couldn’t use the one from when she was a baby. Had to wait for the appointment, attend and say what we said a few years before, they said she still had an allergy and then wait for the dietician to write to the GP so we could have a copy.

Timeturnerplease · 27/08/2023 12:27

Most school policies on this kind of thing come directly from LAs or PHE, and because catering is outsourced there are regulations coming from that angle too.

I would imagine a letter from the GP should do the trick, plus an actual in person conversation with SLT explaining the situation.

Our headteacher is more relaxed about this kind of thing and takes a common sense approach. There is a child in Year 1 for whom the catering company provide a dairy free menu despite no diagnosis. Caterers did stop providing a dairy and gluten free menu for a pair of siblings once, but that was more to do with the mum openly feeding them Cadburys chocolate fingers on collection…

Original poster
Cowsmilkallergy · 27/08/2023 12:28

mumof1879 · 27/08/2023 12:25

We had this for my daughter and had to get GP to refer to dietician so dietician would then write to the school as the school needed a recent letter and we couldn’t use the one from when she was a baby. Had to wait for the appointment, attend and say what we said a few years before, they said she still had an allergy and then wait for the dietician to write to the GP so we could have a copy.

Apparently the wait for a dietician appt is similar to the wait for allergy tests so I’m not sure that will be possible . I should have checked but it didn’t even cross my mind that they’d need proof

OP posts:
Olivia199 · 27/08/2023 12:29

My DD's nursery is the same around antihistamines. I called the GP and just let them know that they needed a prescribed bottle and they were more than happy to do so. Hopefully that helps at least! I'd also get a letting from the GP stating "suspected cows milk allergy" and then they'll have to treat it as such.

Problesolving · 27/08/2023 12:32

I’m a bit confused as to why he need’s antihistamine if he isn’t eating cow’s milk.

liveforsummer · 27/08/2023 12:39

I work in a school and in this scenario normally the dc bring a packed lunch (vegan dc need to do this too we provide veggie options but not vegan)

Original poster
Cowsmilkallergy · 27/08/2023 12:41

Problesolving · 27/08/2023 12:32

I’m a bit confused as to why he need’s antihistamine if he isn’t eating cow’s milk.

In case of a reaction from either cross contamination or accidentally being given something with milk in plus they all have cartons of cows milk at snack time and we have had reactions from touch as well as ingesting

OP posts:
Hermanfromguesswho · 27/08/2023 12:44

Problesolving · 27/08/2023 12:32

I’m a bit confused as to why he need’s antihistamine if he isn’t eating cow’s milk.

Why would anyone with an allergy need to have medication near them when they don’t purposefully eat the allergens? Accidental exposure usually!

Sturnidae · 27/08/2023 12:45

Gosh that's worrying!

MY eldest is non-IGE dairy/egg allergy and was discharged by the allergy team when she was a toddler with instructions to keep trying the dairy and egg ladders, which we eventually stopped as it made her miserable, so I'd have no recent 'proof' of an allergy. And youngest clearly reacts to uncooked milk, fine with it baked/cheese/etc, but milk with her cereal/a glass of it causes pretty immediate gut issues to go alongside long term gut issues she has. We've had so many issues trying to get any medical help for those issues that I'd be screwed if they wanted proof!

Hermanfromguesswho · 27/08/2023 12:47

OP I’d try with a GP letter. Also make sure you put in writing (email or letter to go on file) that it’s a potentially serious allergy, even though not fully diagnosed yet anc mention the contact reaction.
If I were you I’d put him down as vegan as well if you aren’t comfortable with the school dinner situation currently

Original poster
Cowsmilkallergy · 27/08/2023 12:48

Sturnidae · 27/08/2023 12:45

Gosh that's worrying!

MY eldest is non-IGE dairy/egg allergy and was discharged by the allergy team when she was a toddler with instructions to keep trying the dairy and egg ladders, which we eventually stopped as it made her miserable, so I'd have no recent 'proof' of an allergy. And youngest clearly reacts to uncooked milk, fine with it baked/cheese/etc, but milk with her cereal/a glass of it causes pretty immediate gut issues to go alongside long term gut issues she has. We've had so many issues trying to get any medical help for those issues that I'd be screwed if they wanted proof!

I’m not sure if it’s ige or non ige as cows milk causes hives (all over!) and also diarrhoea so I just don’t know what type of reaction it is but I’d be apprehensive if I can’t leave a bottle of antihistamine at school

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 27/08/2023 12:50

Cowsmilkallergy · 27/08/2023 12:02

I feel like amending my form to say ‘vegan’ now 😂

Do it. Seriously, do it, as they cannot ignore that - it's something they cannot argue with in terms of providing food, just like they have to take into account the dietary requirements of a Hindu, Muslim, 7th Day Adventist or Jewish child.

And if DS is older/in Secondary, I'd suggest he carries anti histamines in his bag or blazer pocket.

Coffeaddict · 27/08/2023 13:19

Problesolving · 27/08/2023 12:32

I’m a bit confused as to why he need’s antihistamine if he isn’t eating cow’s milk.

I would assume in case of accidental exposure.

My sons nursery are great but he has managed to eat something off his friends plate and have a reaction. And even with allrgy awareness now there are still errors in kutchens that could lead to cross contamination

Coffeaddict · 27/08/2023 13:20

Cowsmilkallergy · 27/08/2023 12:48

I’m not sure if it’s ige or non ige as cows milk causes hives (all over!) and also diarrhoea so I just don’t know what type of reaction it is but I’d be apprehensive if I can’t leave a bottle of antihistamine at school

Show quote history

The hives would indicate its an ige allergy

Original poster
Cowsmilkallergy · 27/08/2023 13:21

Coffeaddict · 27/08/2023 13:20

The hives would indicate its an ige allergy

Show quote history

I thought that but when the gp did the referral she said as there’s no facial swelling as well that it’s not going to ever result in anaphylaxis but each time the hives have been worse so I was quite worried

OP posts:
Sugargliderwombat · 27/08/2023 13:26

Have you asked the school? In our school without proof you get a bog standard allergen free meal. You get a personalised menu once you have proof of allergy. So it might not be an issue at all.

I don't understand why the gp can't prescribe an antihistamine, if your child has had flare ups before ? Can you go back to them with this issue?