Symptoms vary greatly. Be on your toes, use the EpiPen if you need to. A food allergy involves the immune system. The protein is recognized as a foreign invader, and the body releases histamine, lymphocytes, or other chemicals which could result in a severe allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock. Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat are the foods which cause the majority of allergic reactions.
Every child is different.
Most are not life threatening. Many children with allergies will develop a rash or hives just from touching a surface that has a trace of their allergen. Take all complaints from children with food allergies very, very seriously. Staff members should have permission to use the EpiPen with a student and, if used, the student should be taken to the hospital for evaluation even if the allergic reaction symptoms subside. The student should be observed for a minimum of 3 hours, and the school nurse and area director notified as soon as feasible.