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Tree Nuts
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Soy
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Milk
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Shellfish
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Egg
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Latex
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Peanut
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Fish
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Bananas
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Wheat
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Pollen
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Animal Dander
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An allergy is an abnormal response to a normal substance. This is the
body’s attempt to defend itself against substances that are perceived by
the body to be harmful (an allergen).
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There are various degrees of reaction. Symptoms can occur up to 72 hours
or more after exposure to the allergen and can last for several days.
Symptoms may or may not be life-threatening.
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Allergic reactions can be caused by certain foods, medications, bee
stings and products such as latex.
Anaphylaxis is the life-threatening form of an allergic reaction.
 Anaphylaxis is defined as a sudden, severe allergic response that
usually produces breathing difficulties, collapse and possible
death.
 Anaphylaxis usually occurs 1-15 minutes after exposure, rarely after
2 hours.
 Anaphylaxis requires immediate action-EpiPen administration.
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Allergic Reactions
Runny nose
Itchy, red, watery eyes
Local reaction to sting,
UNLESS known to be
allergic to venom
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Anaphylactic Reactions
Hives
Swelling (face, lips, tongue,
throat, upper airway)
Difficulty breathing
Cramping, vomiting,
diarrhea
Difficulty swallowing
Weakness, paleness,
sweating
Feeling of impending doom
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EpiPens are easy to use.
Remember, you must hold the
EpiPen in place for 10
seconds.
The individual may feel a
painful, burning sensation
while the medication is being
administered.
Training is available through
the school nurse.
You are covered by the Good
Samaritan Law.
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Be aware of the students that have life-threatening allergies in your
classroom and what they are allergic to.
TAKE ALL REACTIONS SERIOUSLY !
Administer EpiPen if you recognize a student’s reaction as anaphylactic,
or call a trained staff member to immediately assist with the
administration of EpiPen.
Call 911.
Monitor the student’s breathing and circulation, perform CPR when
necessary.
Notify the parent/guardian.
The “Good Samaritan Law” protects all individuals who administer an
EpiPen from liability issues.
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Be familiar with your school’s emergency procedures.
Know how to recognize the symptoms of an allergic
reaction and what to do if a reaction occurs.
Be sure to notify substitute teachers and aides about
students’ food allergies.
Avoid using food in your lesson plans, such as math lessons
and art projects.
Don’t use food as an incentive or reward.
Minimize the use of food in class parties or celebrations.
Develop a plan for communicating with parents about
issues that might affect their child’s food allergies.
Consider food allergies when planning for field trips, and
be sure to include the school nurse and parents early in
the planning process.
Check the ingredient labels on pet food, if your classroom
has a pet.
From Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis network
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Recognize Symptoms of Anaphylasis a lifethreatening reaction.
Obtain the epi-pen.
If you are alone and do not know how to provide
epinephrine, call out or yell for help. If someone is
available to help you, have them get the personnel
trained to provide epinephrine and the epinephrine
while you dial 911and follow the dispatcher’s
instructions. Advise 911 operator that anaphylaxis is
suspected and epinephrine is available. Your goal is
to get someone (EMS or trained personnel) to provide
epinephrine and care as soon as possible.
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Select appropriate epinephrine auto-injector
to administer, based on weight.
› Dosage: 0.15 mg Epinephrine auto-injector IM, if less
than 66 pounds
› 0.30 mg Epinephrine auto-injector IM, if 66 pounds or
greater
› Frequency: If symptoms persist or return, a second
dose should be administered 5 to 15 minutes after
first dose
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Inject epinephrine via auto-injector: Pull off
safety release cap. Swing and jab firmly into
upper, outer thigh, (through clothing if
necessary). Hold in place for 10 seconds to
deliver medication and then remove. Massage
the area for 10 more seconds. Note the time.
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Call or have a bystander call 911 immediately or activate the Emergency
Medical System (EMS). Advise 911 operator that anaphylaxis is suspected
and epinephrine was given.
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Keep the individual either lying down or seated. If they lose consciousness,
check if they are breathing and have a pulse. If not, begin CPR
(cardiopulmonary resuscitation), call out for help and continue CPR until the
individual regains a pulse and is breathing or until EMS arrives and takes over.
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Call School Nurse/Front Office school personnel and advise of situation.
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Repeat the dose after 5 to 15 minutes if symptoms persist.
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Stay with the individual until EMS arrives, continuing to follow the directions in
No. 5 above.
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Provide EMS with Epinephrine auto injector labeled with name, date, and
time administered to transport to the ER with the student.
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1. Assure parents/guardians have been
notified and advised to promptly let the
student’s primary care physician know
about the episode of suspected
anaphylaxis.
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2. Complete required documentation of
incident.
Allergy/Anaphylaxis/Epi Confirmation Survey
Epi-Pen, (2012). Available at
http://www.epipen.com.
 Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.
(2012). Available at www.foodallergy.org
 Virginia Department of Education,
(2012). Guidelines for Recognition and
Treatment of Anaphylaxis in the School
Setting. Retrieved July 24, 2012, from
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/he
alth_medical/anaphylaxis_epinephrine
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