School is where our children spend the majority of their time.
Allergic conditions affect 25 percent of school going children .Allergies may be a barrier to learning and may affect the millions of bright young eager minds that present themselves daily to days full of learning and new adventures.
Athsma is on elf the most common life threatening allergic diseases of childhood.
It cannot be cured but it can be controlled.
Allergic rhinitis can be a major cause of failure to learn and symptoms can be abolished with the use of intranasal corticosteroids and second generation antihistamines.
Anaphylaxis is a severe life threatening allergic reaction that can be caused by food, latex, insect stings and medications.
Food allergies may vary from mild reactions such as rashes to anaphylaxis . Those at risk of anaphylaxis are often those with food allergy and co existing athena .
Atopic Dermatitis or eczema affects children by affecting their sleeping at night and therefore their functioning the next day. The rash may impact on their physical appearance and thus result in teasing and bullying. Eczema requires regular emollient therapy as a preventative therapy which patients sometimes are not aware of.
Insect bites
Bee venom is the most common cause of anaphylaxis in south africa.
Chronic Treatment plans:
Practise points for school :
1.Every school should allocate a minimum of 3 staff members to form an allergy action committee. This committee should gain a better understanding of allergic diseases and champion the schools support of allergic sufferers.
2. Ask about allergies on every childs registration form
3.Every affected child must have a chronic treatment plan signed by their doctor including an ID photograph . This can be obtained from AFSA (www.allergyfoundation.co.za)
4.The chronic treatment plan should be signed by their parents /guardians and should document which medications the school personnel are mandated to administer and when they are to be administered.
5. Schools must keep a record of all medications administered.
6. On receipt of the chronic treatment plan the ‘allergy action committee ‘must meet to review the plan
7.In the instance of anaphylaxis a member of staff or of the allergy action committee should administer adrenalin via an auto injector and the child should be transported to the nearest emergency department via emergency services.
Allergen safety strategies
practise points for school:
1.Ellicit the support of co learners , families and school staff to LIMIT or EXCLUDE the presence of specified food allergens (e.g. peanut ) on the school premises , at sports events or parties.
2. Avoid food sharing
3.Implement insect sting avoidance measures to ensure children are protected
4. Ensure learners with severe food allergies can eat in allergen free area designated by the school
