Managing peanut allergy at school and nursery
In group settings, the key is to make sure information, substitute foods and emergency plans are all assigned to named people.
Materials to prepare in advance
- A written explanation: the food that causes the allergy, possible symptoms, and the situations that need to be avoided
- A doctor's diagnosis and management advice, including an emergency plan if needed
- A record of your conversations with the class teacher, the childcare worker and the person in charge of the canteen
- Back-up snacks that can be stored for a long time
Easily overlooked situations
Sharing snacks with friends, food at class activities, materials used in craft lessons (such as peanut shells or seed collages), baking lessons, shared woks and deep fryers in the canteen, and snacks on the school bus or during after-school care can all carry risk. It is a good idea to ask the teacher to give a reminder before these activities, and to let your child use substitute foods brought from home.
Emergency plan and emotional support
Make sure the people caring for your child know how to recognise the signs, what the first step is, and who to contact. The place where the relevant medicine is kept, how it is used and its expiry date need to be checked regularly. Also pay attention to how your child feels: food restrictions can cause social pressure. Parents can help by preparing substitute foods, teaching the child simple ways to explain the situation, and talking to the teacher so the child is not treated differently.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If your symptoms affect daily life, please see a doctor.