So, how much do our teachers, school administrators and nurses need to know about food allergies and asthma?  Enough, just enough to understand that both of these two diseases are invisible and are killers.  Students with food allergies and/or Asthma look, move and talk the like all the other kids.  The only difference is that they need to incorporate life saving strategies daily into everything they do.  In addition to carrying or having IMMEDIATE access to rescue medications and protocol.  Once you have a clear understanding of their health needs, managing these diseases feels a bit easier than some of the other diseases and health challenges, nurses and teachers manage everyday.  So, you do need to know just enough to keep your students with Food Allergies and/or Asthma safe.  On this website, I created a School Nurse, Administrator and Teacher page of information just for you!

Thankfully, most school districts and schools have access to wonderful school nurses.  Often, private schools are too small to warrant a school nurse or public districts are so large that a nurse is spread quite thin being responsible for thousands of students.  Often schools do not have a nurse on campus full time therefore, the clinician, teachers and staff need to support all efforts in keeping students healthy and safe at school.
The bottom line is that educators and administrators, either working under direction of school nurse or directly with the student’s physician, including everyone within a student’s sphere of influence  MUST (yes, this is capitalized and bolded for a reason), simply MUST, pause for a moment and understand prevention of a food allergic reaction and/or an asthma attack.  In addition, everyone must understand and be able to execute the school’s emergency response plan.
Year after year, I hear stories from my food allergic and asthmatic friends about how a teacher lead an experiment using peanut butter, or coach or PE teacher insisted upon the asthmatic child to run in the cold air.  The stories never end well and generally conclude with meeting with the principal, which is often followed up with a  504 Plan.  Clearly, education is the key.
In the spirit of supporting the incredible school nurses in my district (and I am talking master holding amazingly dedicated nurses here), I compiled a list of resources that I think maybe helpful for nurses, educators and administrators in managing food allergies and/or asthma at school.

 Gratefulfoodie’s link to Resources for School Nurses, Administrators and Teachers

please note:  many of the links are for free materials, downloads and no cost on-line education
These are some of the items you’ll find on my link above…

• online food allergy education,
• downloads (Food Allergy Action Plans and Asthma Action Plans)
• food allergy education/training kits
• How to Use Epi Pens® videos
• National Assocation Of School Nurses position statements and Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Tool Kits
• Videos for nurses to use to educate teachers
• E-booklets on how to manage Asthma and Physical Activity at school
• Guide to reducing irritants and allergens for asthmatics at school
• Asthma education training kits
• Asthma programs for children
• Additional links, videos and downloads to educate students with age appropriate materials
• Information and links regarding the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (504 plans)

Please let me know if I missed any important links!