Fairfax County Schools and Food Allergies - how do you handle it? epipens

[Anonymous]

So my son is a rising kindergartner in FCPS and has an epipen for a peanut and treenuts allergy. FCPS nurse for his school called (actually she handles 5-6 area schools) me and told me that FCPS policy is to give an epipen after ANY exposure to nuts, not just when symptoms are present and they don't start with benadryl like my doctor suggests. This is totally crazy (nuts, ahem) to me, because in the plan I have from my doctor, they only give the epipen if the child is throwing up or going hoarse, etc.

Does anyone on this board have a child with food allergies in FCPS? How did you handle it? I know this is Cover Your A$$ on the part of the school board and they don't want to get sued, but still, this seems ridiculous to me.

We've been in full-time (nut-free) daycare and have been handling it fine, but at a much smaller school and of course they don't just give the epipen at the first exposure.

[Anonymous]

My 4th grader has a severe tree nut allergy, and has had 4 exposures over his life. The reactions have increased in severity with each accidental exposure. We have not used the epi yet, but plan to if he is ever exposed again. My understanding of nut allergies is that they can go from a mild reaction to life threatening in a matter of minutes, so the best treatment is to use the epi as the first treatment. Think of how long it will take to get the epi from the nurse's office to the exposed student. Precious minutes will already be wasted, so wouldn't you rather they err on the side of caution?

FYI, if he is allergic to tree nuts, stay away from mangos. They are VERY closely related to cashews and pistachios and can cause a similar reaction in allergic people. Learned this through our last accidental exposure.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I have a rising K too, and the school said the same thing to me. They epi pen on exposure. I don't think they will change the policy for us. I think it is better to err on the side of caution, so I am more ok with this than the other way.

[Anonymous]

don't you have to go to the ER after using the epi pen?

[Anonymous]

I was told that you do, although we've never used the Epi.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Epi, then 911 or ER.

[Anonymous]

I understand the policy is to administer on any reported exposure. Generally, if a child complains of being exposed.

I can't blame them not not wanting the liability of making the decision that an EpiPen is not needed, when they are not medically qualified to do so.

[Anonymous]

In my daughters school, the kids with nut allergies eat at a segregated lunch table away from the other kids and are referred to as the 'nutty kids'. Some parents of these nutty kids are pretty nutty themselves and try to ban many foods from the school to protect their cupcakes. Please get your kids ready for the real world and deal with it...does anyone work at a place with a nut free table, cube, or office?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my daughters school, the kids with nut allergies eat at a segregated lunch table away from the other kids and are referred to as the 'nutty kids'. Some parents of these nutty kids are pretty nutty themselves and try to ban many foods from the school to protect their cupcakes. Please get your kids ready for the real world and deal with it...does anyone work at a place with a nut free table, cube, or office?

My kid has a severe nut allergy, and we try to use a common sense approach to eating. Read labels, don't share food, wash your hands, stay away from unknown baked goods, etc. He eats at the regular table and has not had any problems yet at school.

However, there are nut alllergies more severe than his (4+ out of 5 on the allergy scale), and if he was one of the kids who can't even smell nuts without having a reaction, I guarantee I would be advocating for a nut-free table at the cafeteria. Thankfully, we don't have to do that. I feel for the parents/kids who do. It is a difficult life for a kid to live, and making fun of them only makes it harder.

[Anonymous]

My son is also a rising kindergartener with a nut and egg allergy. I was told the same thing about the epi pen. They will give that first, if there's any indication of a reaction. I agree it's a little extreme and if he was at home, we'd give Benedryl first. Better to be safe than sorry.

[Anonymous]

Yup, they will give the epi pen at exposure, no exceptions. We often see the ambulance pull up at our school (always because someone had to have the pen). It's a county-wide policy in Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

It's the school policy, probably because there aren't any real medical personnel in the school, and you don't have a choice. We don't like it, either, and neither does our allergist, but there isn't any way to opt out.

The only way to get around this is when your child is older, carries his own meds (which I strongly suggest he start doing now anyhow), and can self-administer them as needed.

[Anonymous]

I am going to apologize for being insensitive in advance, but you can specifically deny the use of an epi pen on your child. However, it would be in all cases. It would avoid having unqualified school professionals from making decisions on how to care for your child.

It may not be a great option, but it is an option...