Food Allergy Management in Elementary School

Abstract

The prevalence of food allergies, with associated risk for anaphylaxis, has increasingly become a significant public health concern with copious and pervasive implications for patients, families, clinical health care professionals, researchers, and society at large. While potential treatments for food allergy are being explored through clinical research trials, there is currently no widespread scientifically proven cure available. Daily management of this atopic disorder consists of strict avoidance of the offending allergen. Subsequently, many families make concerted, burdensome efforts to create an allergen-controlled home environment. When children with food allergies start elementary school, this transition can be quite anxiety provoking for parents/caregivers. Schools may be perceived as allergen ubiquitous settings coupled with staff having varying awareness and training regarding food allergy and anaphylaxis. Clinical nurse educators, clinical nurse case managers, and other members of the primary care and/or specialty clinic teams can play a critical role in spanning the informational gap between clinic and school community. Ongoing collaboration between clinic team members with school nurse coordinators, school administrators, and other members of the school health services team may serve to minimize fragmentation of patient care, maximize ease of the child’s school entry transition, expand food allergy/anaphylaxis educational opportunities, and provide support to school nurse colleagues.