Epi-Pens in School: Is Your Child Safe?

School systems do not always have a school nurse available to administer the Epi-Pen effectively and warning signs can start just moments before anaphylaxis begins. Parents do have power to help train and educate school employees about food allergies and Epi-Pen administration.

Securing Proper Paperwork: Doctor's Approval

Most schools will require a medical form be filled out and signed by a medical doctor if an Epi-Pen is prescribed. When the form is being filled out, ask the doctor to be as specific as possible. The form should reveal what foods the child is allergic to, when the Epi-Pen should be given, potential immediate side effects of epinephrine, and steps that must be taken after the Epi-Pen is given. The doctor's office should have pamphlets about Epi-Pen and Epi-Pen Jr. available to parents as well as information on anaphylaxis and food allergies.

Teaching School Faculty About Food Allergies and Anaphylaxis

There is a huge difference between a child being short of breath due to a cold and losing the ability to breathe due to anaphylaxis, but the difference may seem slight to the untrained eye. Call the local school board and ask for a time slot to hold an informational meeting on food allergies and anaphylaxis. If possible, as local pediatricians or family doctors to speak at the meeting. Pamphlets about anaphylaxis and food allergies can be given out at the meeting.

All available school employees should attend the meeting, especially food service workers, teachers, office staff, and school aids. In addition to general information on food allergies, ask staff to create emergency maps from each classroom to the nurse's office where the Epi-Pen will be kept. This will ensure substitute teachers will have immediate access to necessary emergency medication if needed. Teachers should also provide food allergy information on all students along with class plans to the substitute.

Other Facts to Consider About Food Allergies and Your Child

Many children bring snacks on the bus, though bus drivers rarely know children are eating. It is important to teach your children about the dangers of anaphylaxis. During winter months, windows will be closed and food particles will circulate through the air in a matter of minutes. Bus drivers will not have Epi-Pens available.

Some school systems allow parents to bring in snacks for students. Homemade snacks could include foods your child is allergic to or foods that may contain allergen warnings. Asking the teacher to send home a note to all parents prohibiting certain foods is one option. Another is to refuse school snacks or homemade snacks all together.