It’s hard to believe it’s already time to go back to school! For food allergy parents, this time of year adds an extra layer of preparation and worry. Getting ready for school with food allergies can feel daunting, but with the right steps and tools, you can ensure your child is safe and well-prepared. I’m sharing what I do every year to make sure my food allergy kid has everything he needs to stay safe at school. Keep in mind he is in elementary school. This guide offers practical steps and resources to manage your child’s allergies at school, and to ensure a safe and inclusive environment.

Allergy Binder

Create three binders: one for the teacher, one for the nurse, and one for the front office/principal.

Front Cover:

• Picture of your child
• List of allergens
• Emergency contact information
• EpiPen/Auvi-Q alert

Inside Contents:

• Medical Action Plan
• Quick Snapshot of General Guidelines/Special Requests
• 504 Plan
• Signs of Anaphylaxis – SLAP Response Method
• Brief Medical History
• Previous Reaction Observations (How your child’s reactions have presented in the past)
• How to Use an EpiPen/Auvi-Q
• List of Safe Art Supplies (FARE Resource)
• List of Safe Snacks (Even if only home food is allowed, this information is helpful for your child’s classmates)

Small Poster for Door/Wall

Place a small poster similar to the cover of the allergy binder on the classroom door or wall. Include your child’s picture, a visual list of allergens, emergency contact information, and an EpiPen alert. This alerts substitutes or visitors who may not be aware there is a food allergy in the classroom.

Letter to Parents

Write a heartfelt letter asking other parents to partner with you to keep your child safe. Emphasize the seriousness of your child’s food allergies, explaining that it goes beyond a rash or itching and can be life-threatening. Include a list of safe snack ideas, noting that it’s not required but helpful information.

See an example here.

Emergency Bag for EpiPen/Auvi-Q

Recommended Bags:

• WUG Bag (Etsy): Insulated, available in various sizes, and customizable.
• Target First Aid Bag: Affordable and practical.
• PracMedic Bags: Spacious with multiple colors, ideal for carrying additional essentials like an inhaler or Benadryl.

Contents:

• 2 EpiPens or 2 Auvi-Qs at all times
• Pre-measured Benadryl dose in a syringe or tablet
• Inhaler, if applicable
• Printed and laminated Medical Action Plan
• Laminated notecard with allergens and emergency contact info
• Syringe with cap already filled with Benadryl in a Ziplock bag to prevent leaks

Self-Carrying Epi/Auvi-Q Belts:

• Kids Pocket Belt: Comfortable and discreet for independence.
• Auvi-Q Belt: Suitable for older kids, easily attachable to a belt.

GPS Tracker/911 Emergency SOS

Equip your child with a kid-friendly watch to ensure quick communication in case of an emergency.

Options:

• Verizon Gizmo Watch: Allows calling, texting, or video calls, controlled from the parent’s phone.
• Gabb Watch: Popular for its security features.

Environmental Allergens

Managing environmental allergens in the classroom can significantly reduce your child’s risk of reactions. One effective way to control these allergens is by using an air purifier.

Air Purifier: Consider providing an air purifier for the classroom to help filter out common allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. This can create a safer and more comfortable environment for your child. 

Here’s a great one for the classroom. ADD LINK

Lunch/Snack Preparation

Water Bottle: Choose a distinctive, possibly more expensive, water bottle to avoid everyone having the same/mix-ups. Examples include Stanley or Yeti bottles, personalized with engraving, name bands or labels. I also send water bottles in so he doesn’t fill up at the water fountain.

• Best Name Labels:

Lunchbox and Snack Container:

• Yeti Lunchbox: Pricey, but durable and reliable for keeping food hot or cold.
• Yeti Container
• Bentgo Box: Provides an extra barrier against contamination.
• Snack Containers: Pre-filled with snacks to minimize contact between food and table.

Additional Items:

• Disposable placemats
• Purell Foodservice Surface Sanitizer Spray (use with paper towels to avoid allergen contact)

Safe Snack Stock: Maintain a clear box of safe snacks for birthdays, parties, special events, and in case you forget to send something one day. 

My go-to snacks/treats include:

• Enjoy Life Cookies (Kroger, Publix, Sprouts)
• Enjoy Life Candy Bars (Kroger, Publix, Sprouts)
• Rule Breaker Cookies (Kroger)
• Partake Cookies (Kroger, Target)
• Dum Dums
• Sour Patch Kids
• Smarties
• Skittles 
• Made Good Bars
• Made Good Rice Crispies 
• Glutino Pretzels
• Gluten Free Oreos
• Popsicles – Chloe’s or Outshine kept in freezer labeled in case ice cream day
• Dairy Queen Dairy-Free Dilly Bar – can buy a box inside DQ

Classroom Supplies

Art Supplies: Provide a separate box of safe art supplies only used by your child. Crayola supplies are mostly safe, but check for allergens like soy in crayons and wheat in Play-Doh. Alternative options like Whoa Dough are available. Consider providing glue, noodles, and other items that are normally used in school art projects. More resources are available at Kids with Food Allergies.

Prize Box Ideas:  If your child’s class does a prize box, fill it with non-food items such as nontoxic tattoos, stickers, bouncy balls. Starburst, Smarties, and Dum Dums tend to be safe for most as long as dyes are not an issue.

Eczema Management at School

Eczema can be triggered by various environmental factors and irritants. Since there’s a lot of scents, dust, and various products used at school, eczema can flare and cause a lot of discomfort throughout the day. Here’s how we help manage eczema effectively at school.

Essentials:

• Vani Cream
• Aquaphor sticks for lips/eyes
• Ice packs for overheating
• Chair seat cover (Plastic in school chairs tend to really irritate eczema behind the knees)

This comprehensive guide ensures your child is prepared and safe as they head back to school, allowing you to have peace of mind and your child to enjoy a worry-free school year.