How You Can Help Your
Food-Allergic Schoolmates.
1. Never take food allergies lightly.
It’s hard to believe that foods most of us eat and enjoy every day can be harmful to others. So if you learn that a schoolmate has a food allergy, take it very seriously.
That means not joking about it, or teasing food-allergic people. And never try to trick someone into eating food they’re allergic to. Most of all, try to understand that food-allergic people need your help to prevent serious allergic reactions.
2. Don’t share your food with food-allergic friends.
Students often share or trade food with each other. But for those with food allergies, that can be very dangerous. Never offer food-allergic kids anything from your lunch or snack.
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.
3. Wash your hands after eating.
This is very important, since just a small amount of food on your hands can contaminate desks, books, laboratory or gym equipment, and many other things. If someone who is allergic touches these things, they can have a reaction. The best way to prevent this is simply to wash your hands after eating.
4. Ask what your friends are allergic to and help them avoid it.
Learning what someone is allergic to is easy. Finding out if foods are safe to eat is more difficult. Even foods that have ingredient labels can be problematic, since food manufacturers sometimes use scientific names instead of everyday ones. (For example, casein is milk, and hydrolyzed vegetable protein may contain peanuts.) So always remind food-allergic schoolmates to carefully check the ingredients of foods not brought in from home. If there’s any question about a food, tell them not to eat it. Doing without a snack or treat is far better than a trip to the hospital! Another way you can help is to avoid making lunches or snacks that contain foods your friend is allergic to. When this is not possible, it’s best not to eat at the same table.
5. If an allergic schoolmate becomes ill, get help immediately!
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/or itchy
If an allergic schoolmate is showing these signs, inform a teacher, the school nurse or other adult immediately. Tell them it might be an allergic reaction. Your quickness can help save a life! Remember that an allergic reaction can happen anytime, anywhere, even several minutes after eating, so always be on the alert.