food anaphylaxis

[Coral]

My dairy and egg allergic daughter (anaphylactic reactions to both) is due to start school in September. She will be the first anaphylactic pupil the school has had. I am due to meet with the head teacher next month to discuss the way forward regarding the management of her allergies and would welcome advice from anyone who already has an anaphylactic child at school. In particular, has anything specifically worked for you in helping to minimise the exposure to specific allergens. Do you have a written emergency action plan with the school? Did you come up against any hurdles with the education authority? The head teacher seems positive and supportive (so far!!) and my daughter is very mature and sensible so far as her allergies are concerned. However, deep down I have to admit to being very worried about her going outside my safe control so to speak. How did you cope!

Thanks. Coral.

Hi!
My son hasn't started school yet, but is in nursery for two days a week and has lunch and snacks there. He's allergic to dairy and peanuts (anaphylactic) and just plain allergic to soya.

There's an organization called the Anaphylaxis Campaign that can give you more information and sample protocols for your school.

My main worry is that they won't use the Epi Pen. I tell whoever is watching him that it's fine to use-- you can't hurt him by using it and it's far better to be safe than sorry. Also, he has sometimes had reactions to who knows what, so even if you have no idea what he might have eaten, if he's having a reaction, it needs to be treated promptly. And reactions can happen hours later (although that's never happened with my son).

His nursery has a couple of Epi Pens and an inhaler that stay in the office permanently, but every day I hand over a little bag of meds to his teacher. It's reassuring for me, reminds them, and, if there's a substitute, it's the perfect opportunity to let them know who your child is and his situation. In the bag are: a couple of Epi Pens, an inhaler, a little bottle of antihistimine with a graduated pipette and a sheet that has what to give him when and our names and phone numbers (it's brief).

Also, I keep a stash of Garvey-compliant snacks there. That way he always has something they know is ok. I've told them it's fine not to give him something they're unsure about, even if it means he doesn't eat and to ring me or my husband anytime to ask questions about it.

That's about it. I try not to act overwrought or anything. It helps to let them know that I've had to use the Epi Pen and that it works well with absolutely no ill effects.

Hope everything goes well for you. My son starts reception in Sept 2002 and I've already started having nightmares about it.

Just thought of this: we get him skin tested every year. It makes replying to the "well maybe he's grown out of it" comments a little easier. Actually, next Monday is a food challenge for soya at the hospital. Wish us luck!

Sorry this was a bit rambling....

Jj

Thanks for taking the time to reply and the reminder about the anaphylaxis campaign - I'd forgotten they had sample protocols on their website so will check it out again.

It must be difficult dealing with dairy and soya allergies - I rely heavily on soya alternatives to replace the dairy so would be at a loss if that avenue was taken away from me - how do you manage? Hopefully the soya challenge on Monday will return a positive result - good luck!! We're off to the allergy clinic next month for the annual dairy challenge - even though they have been telling me that my daughter will outgrow dairy (first at 18 months, then 2, then 3 ...) I don't hold my breath!! However, I am really hoping that this time there will be some positive improvement - it will make me feel much happier about her starting school if the dairy anaphylaxis at least is taken out of the equation.

Let me know how you get on on Monday. Coral.

Coral, The soya isn't a huge problem.. it's not like the dairy and peanuts. We still don't give it to him at all though. We use Rice Dream rice milk if we need something similar to milk, but basically I don't use recipes where I'd have to substitute ingredients, except margarine for butter. My husband found a non-dairy non-soya cheese once. My son LOVED the idea of it but it was so horrible that, as much as he wanted to, he couldn't eat it. It was really bad! He still asks for it though.. it's heart-wrenching how much he'd like to be like the other kids and eat cheese.

I'll let you know how the food challenge goes. I'm expecting it to fail, but not have a horrible reaction. It used to be that he'd go all red and black and blue in the face (like I beat him) and get hives.. hopefully it'll be better than that.

Yay! He passed his soya challenge! We're so excited.

Coral, hope the dairy challenge is successful. Let me know how it goes.

Hey - excellent - I'm really pleased for you and your son. I hope you've been out and bought some soya ice cream to celebrate in this warm weather!!

You give me renewed hope for June!!

Coral