School and Food Allergies

I wanted to share this story with you - this comes from my daughter and her experience a few weeks ago at school.

She'd been sitting in the nurses office with a bloody nose. Unfortunately, this time of year it happens frequently for her. We've been to doctor after doctor, and it is pretty much just a case of dry air, etc. So, anyway, she's just 'waiting it out' at the nurses office when a child arrives who was experiencing a major allergic reaction. She told me that his face and tongue were swollen. Apparently what happened was his friend shared an Oreo with him, but didn't know the boy was allergic to peanuts. . . and the filling had peanuts. Well, my daughter was in the corner of the nurses station, and though she desperately needed a new tissue for her own issue, she told me she knew this boy was in serious trouble, and she just stayed put. She told me the nurse called 911 and shortly thereafter the ambulance and crew arrived at the school. They took the boy (in a wheel chair - despite his argument that he could walk) out and into the waiting ambulance. When the nurse returned to her room, my daughter finally moved from her chair. The nurse was quite shocked that my daughter, whose arm was blood drenched, but didn't get tissues. My daughter told her that it was very obvious to her that the boy needed space and help, and she could just wait until his emergency was handled. I was very proud of her, and let her know. We've always told her what could happen to those with food allergies, and though she's never seen it (until that day), she knew it was a very serious situation.

I think educating people about food allergies and the seriousness of the situation is very important. Many people just do not understand. Learning signs, symptoms, and what to do in case of a food allergy emergency can save a life!

Posted in: food allergies