Does your child have an anaphylaxis allergy?

Question

Do they take precautions at their school? Have you heard of Sabrina's law passed in 2003? What special precautions do you and your child make at home? How does it affect your family?

Answer 1

My 3 year old has a severe allergy to all nuts. She took a taste of a pastry that contained traces of Cashews. She had a severe anaphylactic reaction. The idea of sending her to school kept me up at night for months. Luckily,the school is well versed and diligent about educating the staff,communicatin with the parents (both of allergic and non-allergic children) and most importantly,paying close attention to our kids with allergies. They don't officially call themselves a nut free school but they take all necessary precautions.

At home,nothing enters my house that contains nuts or was processed on equipment that also processes nuts. When we go out to eat,no one at the table may have anything that could harm my child. We also have to ask servers about food ingredients and make them aware of cross contamination on untensils,etc.

I'm ashamed to say that I don't know what Sabrina's law is. I do know that schools can voluntarily set up an action plan (many of our public schools are nut free and send home notices,also isolate the allergic kids at lunch time) I also know that labeling of foods in bold with allergy info is required.

My daughter's allergy is a part of our everyday life. Small adjustments had to be made. Things we eat and bake with changed. Besides the medical part of it,I'm concerned that when she gets older,the allergy will make her feel different and isolated in certain situations. Peer pressure and growing up can be tough. I just hope that since she is so well educated already at a young age,that it will be normal for her and won't bother her so much.

One of the toughest things is having a relative that doesnt have an overwhelming concern for the allergy. My mother in law will think nothing of eating a Reese's peanut butter cup or ordering a cake with nuts in it at dinner. I have repeatedly told her not to and what could happen. When she goes against what I say,I have to take the gloves off and prohibit her from coming anywhere near my daughter. Of course I'm done being nice about it which causes friction between my husband and I but I don't care. My daughter's health comes first. Luckily we dont see my husband's mother all that much.

Thanks for letting me share some of this with you.

Answer 2

Always carry an Epi-Pen. Try to stay away from the things that cause the problem, if possible. Sabrina's Law, passed in Canada, requires that schools must have policies to deal with students at risk of anaphylaxis or severe food allergies.

Answer 3

I developped anaphylaxis over the summer, and found a few websites about anaphylaxis and how to live with it. It also helps parents deal with the anxieties and school boards,......
www.anaphylaxis.org
www.anaphylaxis.ca
Hope it helps.