How to Lower Your Child’s Anaphylaxis Risk at School

Your child can play an active role in managing the allergy, and their confidence in doing so will grow over time. Here’s where to begin.

Review the Allergy Action Plan Together

With your child and their pediatrician or allergist, create and review an age-appropriate allergy and anaphylaxis emergency plan. Some important details to cover include what triggers the allergy and signs of a reaction.

Talk About When to Get Help

Make sure your child is comfortable asking for help. For example, help them identify trusted adults (such as teachers, lunchroom monitors, and other staff members) and encourage them to get help if they think they’re having an allergic reaction, says Dr. Pistiner. One strategy for building confidence is to practice asking for help. You might sit with your child and say, “Pretend I am your teacher. What would you say to me if you think you’re having an allergic reaction?”

Educate Them About Allergy-Safe Behaviors

Children with food allergies should learn not to eat classmates’ food, says Pistiner, and to always wash their hands before and after eating. In addition, reading labels is a valuable skill they’ll develop with age and reading ability. At first, this might mean your kindergartner asks their teacher “if the food is meant for them or not,” Pistiner says. “As they start reading, they can start practicing reading labels and, with time and confidence, will be able to do it for themselves.”

For a medication allergy, teach your child to list off what they are allergic to when the school nurse or their teacher gives them medicine. As they get older, they can also learn how to visually identify the pills they can’t take. School administrators should know which medications your child is allergic to, even if they don’t provide them. It’s still helpful to get your child in the practice of discussing allergies.

Teach Your Child How to Use Epinephrine

This should be done gradually. Start by teaching your child the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis when they’re young. Next, show them how to administer epinephrine while you demonstrate on a training device. Finally, help them develop the confidence and competency to do it themselves.

Empower Your Child to Speak Up and Ask Questions

Walk your child through potential scenarios and how they can respond. For example, if someone hands them a packaged bag of cookies, they can ask an adult if it contains the allergen. Or, if a classmate offers a snack, you can help your child come up with a go-to response to turn something down.

It’s understandable to be worried about your child’s anaphylaxis risk at school. And while it takes vigilance and planning, the allergy doesn’t have to define their school experience. Maintaining a line of communication with your child’s school can help you feel confident that a safe plan is in place. And educating your child will help empower them, so they feel more capable and less stressed at school.