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Back to School

Starting school whether primary or secondary can be a daunting experience for anyone (both parents and children!), but if you have an allergy it is essential to be confident that this will be managed effectively.

Book an appointment to discuss your child’s allergy with the Head/ Class teacher (before term begins if possible), provide a letter regarding your child’s allergy to the school.  Also it may be useful to supply an up-to-date photo so staff are aware of your child (this can be useful to add to management plans if school photo’s are not taken in the first few weeks).

Management Plans

An individualised management plan should be given to your child’s school (Department for Skills and Education www.dfes.org.uk have further information as well as details from Allergy UK 01322 619898 / The Anaphylaxis Campaign 01252 542029).  This should clearly describe how to manage your child’s condition, medication details and contact details for parents.

  • Always make sure you update new telephone/mobile numbers, addresses, etc.
  • Ask about staff training if Epipens are necessary, also ask about how supply teachers are informed of your childs’ allergy.
  • Ask the teacher to clarify where all medications such as inhalers, Epipens, antihistamines etc, are kept and make sure your child knows who to ask if they feel any symptoms.  Confirm the designated members of staff so your child is familiar with this routine

Epipens

These are prescribed for people who suffer with severe allergies such as food allergies, wasp and bee stings, latex allergy and drugs.

  • Consider a medic alert bracelet/ watch for your child (0800 581420).
  • Ensure good asthma control is being maintained if child is also asthmatic.
  • Keep a note of Epipen expiry dates both at school and at home.  Epipen (www.epipen.co.uk) have a reminder for expiry dates system which you can sign up for.  There is also information about Epipens and demonstrations of using an Epipen.
  • If your child is old enough reminders about carrying Epipens or knowing where they are kept will be useful and should be carried out regularly.
  • Remember to discuss other areas your child may go to around the school and suitable access to the Epipen.  This should be stored in a named box with a copy of the management plan and instructions, all staff should be familiar where this box is kept.
  • Find out about carrier /protection tubes for Epipens which allow safe carrying of medication if your child is older. (www.yellowcross.co.uk, www.kidsaware.co.uk or The Anaphylaxis Campaign www.anaphylaxis.org.uk ).

School Meals / Catering

  • Discuss this in depth with the school, some schools may be able to provide suitable meals.  If you decide to provide a packed lunch try to make this varied and interesting for your child with a treat if there is a special meal at school.  Menus may be available so you are able to match allergen free alternatives of what the other children are having.
  • Ask the catering staff to introduce themselves to your child so a good rapport can develop and everyone gets to know each other!
  • www.schoolscateringmanual.com provide useful information about catering for allergic pupils in schools.

No Sharing Snacks

Break times can be tempting, try to emphasise from a very early age that your child must not share snacks and ask the teacher to give gentle reminders to all the children about this rule.  This could be done so your child doesn’t feel they are the only one who has to keep the rule.

Special Treat Days

Supply any special snacks or “birthday treats” in a labelled tin (the teacher can then give these out if other children bring in treats for birthdays).  Try to send in “extras” each half term so your child does not run out and supply your childs’ own allergen free cake if you know in advance the birthdays of classmates who may take in cakes.  When it is your child’s birthday perhaps they could supply a suitable allergen free cake for all to try (discuss this with the teacher first).

Seasonal Allergies

If your child has a seasonal allergy make sure that you visit your GP prior to the season for adequate medication and advise the teacher about difficulties such as games lessons outside, wearing of sunglasses, etc.  Try avoidance techniques or measures to eliminate exposure to allergens, such as showering hair after games lessons or at home to remove pollens.

Cookery

Check ingredients and offer to provide alternatives if possible for cookery etc, ask the school if they could adapt a recipe (for example nut free ingredients, etc) so your child is included and the other children all use the same products if possible.

Activities

Check activities such as playdough, art lessons, nature tables and care of the class pets.  Be especially aware of any contact allergies such as eczema which could be made worse by some activities.  Ask the teacher about alternative activities which may be available for your child together with a small group of children.  Discuss distraction techniques to prevent focusing on factors such as itchy eczema (The National Eczema Society have more guidance on these issues 02075618230).  For older children lessons such as science should be discussed regarding chemicals, etc.

Sport

For PE and Games make sure staff are aware of the children who have asthma.  Reminders from staff may be necessary about taking inhalers/ Epipens to sports fields (and especially off site).  Emphasise the need for additional ‘swim’ time which will allow for children who may require emollients or showering if they have Eczema.

Trips

  • Day trips and trips away will need careful forward planning – ensure you are given all details and meet with the teacher to offer suggestions or discuss any points that may concern you.  Also ensure the management plan is taken with Epipens by the teacher and a mobile telephone is available (in case of emergency).
  • Provision of extra packed lunch items, drinks etc and spare Epipens may be useful.
  • Avoid eating/ drinking outdoors especially from open cans if wasp/ bee allergic. Overseas Translation cards may be useful if going abroad.

General Consideration

Remember that all children need extra reassurance when starting/ going back to school and flare ups of allergic conditions such as asthma or eczema can occur at any time.  Tiredness due to lost sleep if the child has allergic symptoms at night may be a problem, so always take this into account.  Always advise the teacher the next day if there has been a problem so your childs’ needs are fully understood.  Ask the teacher to notify you of any problems encountered during the school day so you are aware of any potential triggers or problems which could carry on after home time.  Try to manage any flare-up, but if things do seem to be going haywire then contact your GP/ Allergist to ensure you have the condition stabilised and once again feel in control.