Food Allergies
And Food Sensitivities
What is a food allergy?
The body’s reaction to a substance,
usually a protein, when it
incorrectly starts an immune
response. (IgA, IgE, IgG)
Sometimes these reactions are
mild-moderate, or can be severe
enough to be life-threatening.
What is a food sensitivity?
The body’s reaction to a food that
doesn’t always initiate an immune
response, but is usually a problem
with the digestion of a particular
food or substance (or combination).
Food Sensitivities
Lack of digestion – inadequate enzymes,
illness, stress, imbalance of hormones
Food additives – sulfites, MSG, corn
products, wheat products, dyes
Medical conditions – Celiac disease,
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s
disease, diverticulitis, problems
chewing/swallowing
Medicine/food interactions
Do not usually produce anaphylaxis
8 most common allergenic foods
Peanuts Wheat
Tree Nuts Fish
Milk Shellfish
Eggs Soy
These words/terms must be stated in “plain English” on all food labels
Who is at risk for food allergies?
1 out of 25 Americans (4%) - this
includes approximately 3 million
children under 18 years of age
Almost 5% of children less than 5
years old
Children with asthma – 80% of them
have a food allergy
25% of reactions in school are prior to
actual diagnosis of allergies
Exercise - Handout
What foods (recipes) might you
think contain these common
allergens?
Symptoms of allergic reactions
Tingling in mouth or swelling,
itching of skin, or eyes
Vomiting, diarrhea, cramping
Hives, swelling and/or redness of
skin, or eyes
Sensation of warmth, coughing
Wheezing or difficulty breathing
Dizziness or loss of consciousness
anaphylaxis.jpg
https://ssl.gstatic.com/health/33576cb3c325418b82afc7245394d485/ref/graphics/19320.jpg
Symptoms of Anaphylaxis
Tongue, throat, nasal passages swell
Cannot breathe
Severe drop in blood pressure
Rapid pulse
Loss of consciousness, coma or death
Must treat immediately!
How do we treat?
Minor food or other allergies –
Benadryl or other otc antihistamines
– call Parent and possibly PCP
Severe food or other allergies –
Epinephrine or EpiPen (autoinjector)
– call Emergency first, then call Parent and
possibly PCP
Symptoms of Food Sensitivities
Usually produce gastro-intestinal
symptoms
Can mimic moderate symptoms of
food allergies
Can mimic symptoms of food
poisoning
How do we treat?
Let them go to the bathroom
Isolate and stabilize
Extra clothes on hand?
Call parent/guardian
Allergens in Schools
Diversity of Students/Cultures
School Food
Learning Community
Children “in general”
Common Tables and Desks
w/multiple usage
Sanitation
Kids and Allergies
Parents’ Perspectives
School’s Perspectives
Laws – ADA,IDEA,FERPA, Rehab.
Act. Of 1973
What is “normal”; what is
“accommodating”?
Who is Responsible?
Parent or Guardian
Child
Teacher
Principal
Nurse
Food Service
Auxiliary Personnel
Who is at risk for reactions?
Make sure you know all the children
who have food or other allergies
Make sure you know all the
substances they are allergic to
Do NOT depend on parents’ “safe
lists” of foods or products
Be Prepared
Be aware of what the child could
have eaten, touched, or smelled
Have a plan for an allergic reaction
Have otc antihistamines on hand
Have EpiPens on hand and know
how to use them
Allergy Action Plan
Allergy Action Plan
4-page document
Allergy Action Plan
ACTION Plan
Step 1 – Possible reactions and
what medication(s) to administer
Step 2 – Call 911-emergency
If in doubt, if in anaphylaxis
Step 3 – Call Parent/Guardian
Notify parent of situation, where the
child is going
•Be prepared to re-administer
medication
Having a Plan
Where’s the plan?
Is the school nurse always there?
Who else knows about the plan and
allergy?
Back-up plan….
References & Resources
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis
Network www.foodallergy.org
American Academy of Allergy Asthma &
Immunology www.aaaai.org and for
materials in Spanish
www.aaaai.org/espanol
New Mexico School Nurse Manual
www.newmexicoschoolhealthmanual.org
USDA Food & Nutrition Service-
Accommodating Children with Special
Dietary Needs in the School Nutrition
Programs (2001) www.fns.usda.gov
References & Resources
National Assc. of Elementary School
Principals - handout
Tutorial – Meeting Children’s Special Food
& Nutrition Needs in Child Nutrition
Programs http://nfsmi-
web01.nfsmi.olemiss.edu/documentlibrar
yfiles/PDF/
Food Allergy-An Overview
www.niaid.nih.gov Publication #07-5518
References & Resources
www.mayoclinic.com – Food Allergy
National Association of School
Nurses – Issue Brief www.nasn.org
Thank you and questions?
Kim Schalch, MS, RD, LD
Nutritionist, Region 2
Children’s Medical Services
605 Letrado St. Suite C
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-476-2645
Kim.Schalch@state.nm.us