Other allergic reactions can include respiratory symptoms such as watery, itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing, chest tightness and wheezing. Reactions to food allergies can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening. The media has recently had articles and programs about the life threatening reactions to peanut butter. Allergic reactions to peanuts, nuts and fish are never outgrown but remain for a lifetime. The reactions to these foods are severe and a child can die from the tiniest amounts if allergic to them.
Survival depends on avoidance and rapid response to treatment if exposure occurs.
We ask the parents to introduce all new foods at home and continue feeding it for five to seven consecutive days before bringing it to school. This enables the parents to closely monitor their child for any possible reactions. If a reaction is suspected, the food can either be eliminated or retried at a later date when the child is older. Many children will outgrow food allergies. If symptoms of an allergy occur at school, the teacher will help the parent track the food intake to determine the possible source.