Transcript Peanut & Tree Nut Allergies - Frenchtown Elementary School

Peanut & Tree Nut
Allergies
What this means to students
in a NUT FREE classroom
Your classmate has a nut
allergy
• About 3 million American kids suffer
from food allergies, and that number is
on the rise.
• An ALLERGY is characterized by an
OVERREACTION OF THE IMMUNE
SYSTEM to a substance that is
swallowed, breathed into the lungs or
touched.
Fast Nut Allergy Facts
• The immune system overreaction can
result in symptoms such as coughing,
sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and
scratchy throat. In more SEVERE
cases, it can result in rashes, hives,
lower blood pressure, and difficulty
breathing.
It’s your job to be a P.A.L.
• Never take food allergies lightly. It’s hard
to believe that foods most of us eat and
enjoy ever day can be harmful to others.
But it’s true!! So if you learn that a friend
has a food allergy, take it very seriously.
• Don’t share food with friends who have food
allergies. Never offer kids who have food
allergies anything from your lunch or snack.
Why? Because it may contain an ingredient
that’s harmful to them. Even if you think the
food is safe, it’s still not worth taking the
chance.
It’s your job to be a P.A.L.
• Wash hands after eating. This is very
important, since just a small amount of food
on your hands can get on desks, books,
playground equipment, and many other
things. And if someone who is allergic
touches these things, they may have a
reaction. The best way to prevent this is
simply to wash your hands after eating.
You’ll probably have fewer colds, too!!
It’s your job to be a P.A.L.
• Ask what your friends are allergic to
and help them avoid it. Learning what
someone is allergic to is easy – just
ask them! Finding out if foods are safe
to eat is another story. Even foods
that have ingredient labels can be
tricky, since food manufacturers
sometimes use scientific names
instead of everyday ones.
It’s your job to be a P.A.L.
• Always check the ingredients of foods
that you are bringing into the
classroom. Your classroom is Peanut
and Tree nut free. So that means
NOTHING at all with any type of
peanuts or tree nuts.
• Remember…doing without a snack or
treat is far better than a trip to the
hospital for your friend.
It’s your job to be a P.A.L.
• Please, ask your parents to avoid making lunches or
snacks that contain nuts and tree nuts.
• For birthday parties and celebrations, remind your
parents to celebrate with treats that are
prepackaged so that we can read the labels
carefully. Some suggestions are: Fruit Roll-ups,
Skittles, Smarties, Starburst, Twizzlers, Pop tarts,
Jell-o cups, Rold Gold Pretzels, Doritos, Sunchips,
Smart brand white cheddar popcorn, Teddy
grahams, and Goldfish. See nurse Liz for a larger
list.
How YOU can be a P.A.L.
• How do you know when someone is
having an allergic reaction? Here are
some of the symptoms:
• Vomiting
• Swelling of the face and lips
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes
• Skin that’s bumpy, red, and itchy
Get help IMMEDIATELY!!
• If a friend who has food allergies is showing
signs of a reaction, please tell your teacher
or any nearby adult IMMEDIATELY!
• Your quickness can actually help save a
life!!!
• Remember, an allergic reaction can happen
anytime, or anywhere. Reactions can occur
several minutes after eating. So always be
on the alert.
Always remember the rules for
your classroom
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Absolutely
Positively
Without a doubt
No way
Never, ever, ever, ever
Please don’t bring any peanut or tree nut products into your
classroom. If you do……someone could die!!