Food Allergies Factsheet (for Schools)

What Educators Should Know

A food allergy happens when the body's immune system, which normally fights infections, reacts to a food as an invader. The immune system responds by releasing chemicals such as histamine into the body, triggering an allergic reaction.

Lots of kids have food allergies. The most common food allergies are to peanuts and other nuts, seafood (fish and/or shellfish), milk products, eggs, soy, and wheat.

Allergic reactions to foods can be mild or life-threatening. There is no way to predict how severe someone’s reaction will be — the reactions can be different every time. So it’s important to know the symptoms of an allergic reaction and have a food allergy action plan.

By working with your student and their family, you can help your student avoid the food they're allergic to at school and have their best educational experience.

Challenges for Students With Food Allergies

Students who have food allergies may need to:

• carry an epinephrine auto-injector for emergencies
• wear a medical alert bracelet
• go to the school nurse to take medicine or assess reactions
• have special seating accommodations during lunch to avoid exposure to allergens like peanuts
• have alternative snacks or foods for lunches, snack times, or classroom parties

What Educators Can Do

Talk to your student and their parents about:

• The food allergy action plan and its instructions. The school nurse and all the student’s teachers should have a copy of the plan.
• The epinephrine auto-injector. Depending on the student’s age, they may carry this with them. For younger students, the epinephrine is usually kept with the teacher or school nurse. Be sure you know where your student’s epinephrine is kept.
• Whether your student is at risk for a reaction from touching or breathing in what they're allergic to.
• What their child should and shouldn't eat at school. They may want to send in or give you a list of safe snacks and drinks. Or they may be comfortable having you or their child check the ingredients.
• Any other special instructions.

Know the symptoms of an allergic reaction. If your student has any of these symptoms, follow the food allergy action plan:

• itchiness, rash, or hives (raised red welts on the skin)
• runny or stuffy nose, sneezing
• itchy, watery eyes
• coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing
• belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• throat tightness and hoarseness
• lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

Give epinephrine and call 911 if your student has severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing, wheezing, a lot of vomiting, throat tightness, or fainting. Epinephrine works best when given within the first few minutes of a severe allergic reaction. Give the epinephrine even if you're not absolutely sure your student needs it. It won't do any harm and if you don’t give it, the symptoms could get worse. 

If serving foods/drinks in class, help your student avoid allergens:

• If the student’s family sent in their own food or drinks, serve those to your student.
• If you serve food or drinks, read all labels to check ingredients. Do not give snacks to your student sent in by other families unless you can read the label to check ingredients.
• Be careful of cross-contamination. Any cutting boards, utensils, and storage containers need to be cleaned well with soap and water before being used for other foods.

Other reminders:

• Have a plan for any substitute teachers so they're aware of your student’s food allergies.
• Remind your student not to take food from anyone else while at school.
• Help build your student’s confidence by recognizing and appreciating their strengths — in reading, sports, drama, art, or whatever they enjoy. 
• Provide support. If you think your student is feeling upset by their food allergies, talk to them and their family about counseling options in school or in the community. Some school districts don’t require parents’ permission for a student to see a counselor at school while others do. Check your local school district’s policies.