We were just informed that we have a student who is severely allergic to nuts. They aren't even sure which type of nuts. If you eat a Snickers bar and then breath on him, you could give him a reaction. The student carries an epi-pen and knows how to administer it. I don't even like peanut butter, but now, I'm a litte neurotic about it. I was trying to think "how many times did I eat a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup last year?" I'm just glad I'm not like the home ec teacher and have him in a cooking class.
Nut allergies are more common than you would think. There's also nuts in more products than you might realize plus some foods are processed in machines that also process nuts so that can be a problem.
Be aware of what students bring in for birthday treats, etc. I've gotten into the habit of looking at the labels to see if the factory produces other things that contain nuts, etc that may not be obviously in the certain product. One time I was substituting, a child's parent brought in cupcakes and before I handed them out I called the office to see if anyone had allergies and believe it or not, the birthday boy was the one with the nut allergy and I saw it on the label as "factory uses nuts," etc
In the almost 12 yrs that my son has had a peanut allergy more and more things have the label "processed in a facility with peanuts" or some such wording. I've found peanuts listed as ingredients on things such as vanilla ice cream and frosting. I'm the parent that doesn't let my son eat anything that has the word peanut on the label. Even if it's something that he's had before. . .labels change! I have had parents send their peanut allergy children with peanut butter crackers!! Drives me nuts!
Last year I had a student with severe allergies. Staff was trained how to use an epi-pen, and we had a school ban on certain food items. I was mostly nervous when we went on field trips. I would ask for some information. I believe (but am not 100% sure) that peanuts aren't a nut. So peanut butter should be OK. I think you'd likely feel more comfortable knowing exactly what food the student is allergic to. Our school also made up an emergency plan - just in case anything did happen.
They aren't even sure which nuts he is allergic to. He has had reactions to peanuts, almonds, pecans, etc.
A friend of our families 4 yr old has a nut allergy and her doctor told her not to eat Peanut butter or anything else with nuts of anykind. Her parents also taught her to ask " Does this have nuts in it?'' before eating cookies, cakes, icecream, or really just about anything that might have nuts in it.
Do the parents not know or the school staff? My daughter has a tree nut allergy- she is really bad allergic to cashews, filberts, and brazil nuts, but also tested positive for almonds, pecans, and walnuts. We saw an allergy doctor who ordered skin and blood tests. She can eat peanut products all day long because they are not a true nut. They are a lugume. She also has an epi-pen. The school staff does need to set down and get a game plan in order in case he were to have a reaction- sometimes the teacher has to give the epi-pen when the student cannot. Usually if the epi-pen is administered you are supposed to call 911. You would be amazed at what would have nut products in it!
While peanuts are not a "true" nut, they're still highly allergenic, and are not something to take lightly. As far as handling parents bringing in goodies, I like what my son's teacher did last year. He's diabetic, and she was concerned he'd feel left out for parties and such. She sent a letter home at the begining of the year explaining that there was a diabetic child in the class, and anything brought in for the whole class's enjoyment needed to include something this child could eat. It was short, simple, polite, and to the point. My child never felt left out of anything. Parents went above and beyond to make sure he was included in anything that involved food. Something similar could be done for the child with the allergies.
We have two kids who are severely allergic to peanuts in my room. I had to institute a nut-free zone and it is a big deal. I've explained it to my parents, but there are a few idiots out there who don't know, don't wanna know, and don't care. We send their kids to another table when they bring PBJ and then wash immediately afterwards. The one child could go into shock within 2 minutes. PLEASE take it SERIOUSLY!
My entire school has been nut-free where I worked the last 2 years. We post ALL allergy info in the classrooms (required, name, photo, and info) plus in the kitchen. Although we were "nut-free," we still served granola bars and chex-type mix that may have been produced around peanuts... so I always kept a stash of "safe" snacks in the room if I had peanut kids. I did the same for my 2 no-dairy kids last year. When parents asked me what to bring in for birthdays, I always tried to steer them away from cupcakes (really. who thinks giving 3-yr-olds cupcakes bigger than theri HEADS are a good idea???) and towards Oreos... because they're non-dairy, so everybody could enjoy them. And plus the kids liked them But i always kept "safe" snacks for my allergic kids just in case
I have had peanut/nut allergy kids for the last few years. I just hate how insensative other parents can be when they send thier kids to school with pb sandwiches, recess, snickers (and candy of any kind is not allowed in the first place!) etc.... Our school is "peanut free" As far as birthday snakcs etc...I encourage the parents of the kids with allergies to send in an extra snack. You can never trust that something will come in a package with an ing. list. Most parents are agreeable as it is for the safety of thier own child.
All of our schools are "nut-free" and have been for years. All staff are trained in the use of an epi-pen and allergy information (with photos) is posted in the office and the staff room. Teachers of students with allergies receive information to post in the room.
I subbed at a school one time that had a child with a deadly peanut allergy. I brought my lunch to school with my like I do every day and was reprimanded by the principal for bringing food in without having it checked. This child's allergy was so severe that all teachers had to check every lunch box in the whole school before it entered the building. I wasn't allowed to bring a coffee cup or a water bottle in the building for fear it might have come in contact with nuts. The whole school was nut free. No food or treats for classroom parties are ever allowed in the whole building. It was quite a hassle for me since no one let me know in advance of the lunch rule. I had to eat it outside because I had a PB&J sandwich.
I wonder why peanut allergies are so common and so severe? I can't think of another food that is so frequently a potentially deadly problem. Maybe shellfish. It sounds like a peanut allergy is similar to a venom allergy. Scary stuff. I'm glad I haven't had to deal with it in my classroom yet. I'd probably never sleep at night for fear I might accidentally serve peanut-dust-tainted 'Nilla Wafers.
We had a high school student die because she kissed her boyfriend who had eaten a pb&j sandwich 4 hours earlier!
This is so bad. I am glad I do not have "knock on wood" peanut allergy. I love snicker bars, recess cups, and peanut butter in general way to much to want to stop it. Cashews and boiled peanuts are also not something I would want to give up either. Hey I live in the south we r pretty much peanut capital. You should prob just not live here if you have a peanut allergy. Sad, but true for your safety.
This year I have a student that has a peanut allergy. The parents said it's not airborne. But that doesn't mean it won't be in two years. I'm hoping to make sure the parents don't send any peanut products to school. I also have a little girl that is allergic to latex. That is a hard one. Glue, balls, stamps, erasers. EVerything has latex in it. This is my second year with her but it's still hard!
Peanut allergies are primarily in first world countries, and many doctors believe we are changing our immune systems by eradicating many diseases and keeping our environment too clean. When there are not many threats, the body's immune system can react to things that aren't harmful. Add to the fact peanut/nut products are everywhere, more kids are showing allergies.
I student taught at a "Peanut Free" school. They had signs all over the school. They could not have any peanut product at all. They had signs on the doors and put it in all the school newsletters. There was a student that was severely allergic and luckily the mom was a teacher at the school--he just came to her room daily for lunch, just to be on the super safe side. When she had meetings, he ate with the nurse.
