We just found out one of our kids has food allergies and it’s overwhelming. Reading allergy labels, paperwork, EpiPens, Benadryl, and the list goes on and on.
Food Allergies
We had suspected our one daughter had food allergies after she would eat a certain food and say, “My tongue feels funny.” We discussed this with her pediatrician. Because at the time it wasn’t affecting her breathing or giving her hives/swelling, we decided to wait until the next visit to do a blood test.
An Allergic Reaction
Then one day she had asked to eat a cookie after an event. She ate some of the cookie and immediately said her tongue felt funny. I was almost 100% positive this kind of cookie would not have any of the allergy we suspected in it. However, lo and behold, there it was on the label. And within a short amount of time things progressed from, “My tongue feels funny,” to, “My throat feels weird,” to her one eye swelling shut and her whole bottom lip swelling.
I have never ran so fast into an ER with my child in my arms. We barely finished registering before they were ready to take us back. Then after an EpiPen injection and an IV of three medicines, we had to sit in observation for two to three hours.
We learned that sometimes with food allergies, reactions can happen up to 12 hours later (even after emergency medicine is given). We were finally able to head home with our own EpiPens in hand.
Back to School with a Food Allergy
We’re now in the process of filling out all back to school paperwork. And now there’s more paperwork for the new food allergy diagnosis.
Am I slightly nervous to send my child to school?
Definitely.
Do I trust the school will keep her safe?
100%.
Our daughter is nervous because she doesn’t want to go through another ER visit, to feel like she can’t breathe. We’ve had discussions about although we are extra aware of what we eat, we will not be afraid every day.
My only PSA is for every parent who has a child in a classroom where there’s a food allergy, to please take it seriously.
Be Mindful about Snacks
Just a quick glance at the snacks your child is bringing to school is greatly appreciated by the parents who are already worried about their child. You are saving them from potentially having to go into an anaphylactic reaction, using that EpiPen, and being sent to the ER. (And from the dreaded phone call informing them what is happening.)
Some great options for these snacks are Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars, Goldfish, Cheez-Its, Applesauce pouches, Skinny Popcorn, and Made Good Granola Minis.
So with school in session, please be mindful of the snacks you are letting your kids bring into the classroom. The kids with food allergies and their parents thank you!
