Kids' Allergies: Peanuts and Tree Nuts -- Create a Safer Learning Environment

Kids’ Allergies: Peanuts and Tree Nuts Create a Safer Learning Environment

Copyright © 2012 www.melanielundheim.com. Any reproduction of these materials requires prior written consent.

Welcome. You’re about to discover some ways to prevent, recognize and respond to peanut and tree nut exposures in school.

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Exposures to these common foods can trigger a life-threatening condition known as “anaphylaxis.”

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• Hives, itching

• Flushed or pale skin

• A feeling of impending doom

• Hoarseness, difficulty breathing

• Lip, tongue or throat swelling

• Airway constriction, wheezing

• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

• A weak and rapid pulse

• Dizziness, fainting, loss of consciousness

• Death

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause one or more of the following symptoms:

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Food allergies and associated anaphylaxis are on the rise. Prevalence of peanut and tree nut

allergies alone has tripled between 1997 and 2008. 5

Many anaphylactic reactions occur at school -- sometimes to students whose allergies

were unknown at the time of the reaction.6

In fact, many children — like Tessa pictured here — get anaphylaxis for their first time while at school.

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We know from experience: the steps you take to prevent, recognize, and respond to

exposures and anaphylaxis could be life saving.8

So let’s get started on our discussion about how to create a safer learning environment for

students with peanut and tree nut allergies.9

You may already be aware that peanuts and tree nuts are two of the top eight food allergens, along with milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish.

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In general, allergies to milk, egg, wheat and soy resolve in childhood, whereas allergies to

peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish are lifelong.11

So what exactly are peanuts and tree nuts? And what’s the difference between them?

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Peanuts Tree Nuts

Peanuts are legumes and they grow in the ground.

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Tree nuts, like these, grow on trees. Tree nuts are commonly processed, and thereby “cross contaminated,” with peanuts.

Almond Brazil Nut Chestnut

Hazelnut Hickory Nut Pecan

Pine Nut Pistachio Walnut

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The cause of peanut and tree nut allergies is unknown. Currently, the only treatment is:

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• Strict avoidance of the allergens

• Early recognition of symptoms

• Proper management of allergic reactions

Until there’s a cure for food allergies, students of all ages need your help and vigilance to stay safe.

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As a rule of thumb, remember that students must not smell, touch, taste, or eat

peanuts and tree nuts if they’re allergic to them.17

But, we realize: they can’t live in a bubble!

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This is why many children with peanut and tree nut allergies learn early on to advocate for their own safety.

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Yet, despite their best efforts, it’s a challenge for them to stay safe in school with so many

kids, contaminants, shared surfaces, and supplies. 20

As a result, exposures to these potent food allergens happen in school more often than other public places.

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Seem far fetched? Consider that even the most minute traces of peanut or tree nut can trigger anaphylaxis.

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Impossible to see with the naked eye, peanut and tree nut proteins can spread like a virus onto surfaces, pencils, dispensers, floors, keyboards and more.

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So strive to keep shoe soles, hands, surfaces and other areas free of peanut and tree nut proteins.

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Enforce peanut and tree nut free classrooms. This includes activities before, during and after school.

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Establish a fail-safe system to ensure all subs, staff members and volunteers are pre-trained and aware of students’ peanut and tree nut allergies before entrusting children in their care.

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Always read package labels. Foods, as well as science and art materials, should not contain peanuts or tree nuts or be made on equipment that processes peanuts or tree nuts.

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Beware of cross contamination in foods, as well as on utensils, wind instruments, masks, and other supplies.

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Also note that hand sanitizer doesn’t kill peanut or tree nut proteins. So encourage washing with soap and water before

and after eating, and at other times during the day.

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Discontinue preparing and serving peanuts and tree nuts in the school kitchen to avoid cross contamination. Make menu ingredient lists available at school and online.

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Create peanut and tree nut free desks and cafeteria tables. Always wash surfaces, edges and seats with dedicated

cleaning equipment, warm, soapy water and spray.

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Ensure anaphylactic students have access to their life-saving medication at all times in class, at recess, and on field trips and busses.

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Develop two-way communication systems on and away from school grounds to rapidly respond to exposures and call 911.

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Learn how and when to administer epinephrine; anaphylactic students can’t always do it themselves.

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Review students’ food allergy action plans. Depending on symptoms, they may need epinephrine, a call to 911, and their prescribed antihistamine and inhaler doses.

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To administer epinephrine, refer to your training and the medication label for instructions.

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• Hives, itching

• Flushed or pale skin

• A feeling of impending doom

• Hoarseness, difficulty breathing

• Lip, tongue or throat swelling

• Airway constriction, wheezing

• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

• A weak and rapid pulse

• Dizziness, fainting, loss of consciousness

• Death

Remember, students may require their medications when one or more of these anaphylactic symptoms are present:

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Escort and observe anaphylactic students at all times when they exhibit symptoms.

Seemingly mild reactions can progress within seconds.38

• Teachers and subs

• Health workers

• Food service workers

• Administrators

• Paras, aides and support staff

• Volunteers and chaperones

• Custodians

• Drivers, coaches, and others

Ensure all adults who care for students are trained on how to prevent, recognize, and respond to peanut and tree nut exposures and anaphylaxis, including:

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Be mindful: foods containing peanuts or tree nuts as a primary ingredient can easily

spread contaminants throughout the school.40

To reduce risk, remove peanut/nut-containing items from vending machines, and don’t serve or share such items at student and faculty potlucks, field trips and other events.

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Create, post and enforce your food-allergy management policy. On a regular basis, communicate it to everyone so

you’ll remain transparent and consistent, district wide.

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Allergic or not, peanut and tree nut allergies affect us all. Remember: we’re on the same team!

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So strive to create a culture of awareness, understanding and compassion

among students, families and staff.44

Never joke with, tease or bully food-allergic students or their teachers and caregivers about food allergies.

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After all, food-allergic students are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Federal laws give them rights to safe schools.46

They need your understanding, vigilance, and help to stay safer in school.

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Classrooms, before, during and after school, and on special occasions

Kitchens, where kids’ food is prepared, to avoid cross contamination

Student and staff potlucks, special events, outdoor areas, and vending machines, where people may carry and spread allergens throughout the schools

Shared wind instruments, masks, supplies, and art/science materials

Home economics food ingredients

Surfaces, in classrooms and at a dedicated lunchroom table

Please provide peanut/nut-free:

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All staff, subs, and chaperones are trained to prevent, recognize and respond to peanut/nut exposures

Teachers have a system for informing pre-trained subs of kids’ health issues

Systems and communications are in place on school grounds and at field trips to rapidly respond to exposures, administer medications, and call 911

Anaphylactic kids are never unescorted by an adult when symptoms are present; reactions can progress rapidly

Your food allergy management policy is posted, communicated and enforced

Before adults take charge of students, please ensure:

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By making these potentially life-saving adjustments, all students can feel and stay safer in school.

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About the presenters: Soren and Tessa have life-threatening peanut and tree nut allergies. Together with their parents, friends, and photographers, they created this presentation to help adults prevent, recognize, and respond to exposures and anaphylaxis at school. !Disclaimer: The materials and other information provided by this presentation are for educational, communication, and information purposes only and are not intended to replace or constitute medical advice or treatments. !For more information, visit: www.melanielundheim.com. Soren, Andy, Melanie, and Tessa

Copyright © 2012 www.melanielundheim.com. Any reproduction of these materials requires prior written consent.

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