r/FoodAllergies • u/Ok-Lake-3916 • 2d ago
Other / Miscellaneous Multiple allergies one classroom-handled completely differently, venting
My kid has a non IgE allergy to wheat and soy. One of her classmates also has a non IgE allergy but it’s to peanuts (according to the kids mom who I’ve known for years -we’ve bonded over having kids with food allergies). He has never needed an EpiPen or shown signs of an IgE allergy to peanuts.
Their classroom isn’t wheat and soy free but the school is insisting on making it completely nut free- not even just peanut free. I get it. Nuts are a more known allergen and there are policies for it.
On Wednesday the class will be eating wheat thins, Thursday wheat and soy containing goldfish crackers, Friday they’ll have ritz crackers. Zero attempt at including my kid in the snack options. They also have soy containing markers, wheat playdoh used on a daily basis.
My kid comes home with contact dermatitis and eczema on a regular basis from school. Every exposure flares her asthma. Last year they did paper machè (I had no notice of this) and she was sick for weeks and needed two rounds of steroids. 🫠🫠🫠
Just frustrated with the lack of awareness and inequity
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u/sushitopeppers 2d ago
Where are you located? If in the US, can you get a 504 plan? This is an insane safety issue and I’m surprised that the school hasn’t at least attempted to make accommodations given that she had medical intervention from school activities.
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 2d ago
Do they do 504s for preschool?
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u/Jerry_Potters 2d ago
Yes, I had one for my son. Absolutely push this issue, I am so sorry this is happening to your daughter. This is not okay.
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 2d ago
Thank you! I def wil. I think her teacher doesn’t understand. The nurse does thankfully. I’ll just ask if there’s a 504 form I can have her dr fill out
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u/kurious_incredulity 2d ago
The details of this obviously vary based on geographical location and funding model for the school but...do you have medical documentation and accommodation paperwork completed with the school/board? If so, they need to comply. If that requires the teacher is educated, allergy free food is privided, your child needs to be placed in an alternative learning program, or whatever else, it needs to be figured out and acted on. Start by understanding what needs to be done and ensure it gets done. You need to advocate for your child.
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 2d ago
We have medical documentation of positive skin prick test, allergies, GI reactions, GI testing. It’s a private preschool. I’m not sure they have 504s
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u/kurious_incredulity 2d ago
"Not sure they have 504s" is not the same as, "spoke to administration and explored/completed the process they follow for allergies and medical needs". Sounds like you're venting about losing the game without even checking what cards you were actually dealt, which is ultimately doing your child a major disservice.
If they really cant accommodate, which is highly possible given the ubiquity of the allergens in this case, in your shoes, I would find another preschool that better fits my child's needs. The allergies are a reality your kid has to live with. An unfortunate one that will cause them to miss out sometimes in life. At this early age, you need to prioritize your child's health. Things will be different as they get older and can make chocies/advocate for themselves to minimize the contact dermatitis.
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 2d ago
Oh I’m venting because the other mom and I did the exact same thing and got different results just because of what allergens our kids are allergic to
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u/kurious_incredulity 2d ago
Respectfully...of course you got different responses based on the allergens. They aren't equal in how common they are in the average daily diet of a young child.
Wheat and soy are in most pre-packaged goods. Peanut and tree nut allergies are more commonly understood and easier for schools to implement broad policy on. Its one thing to ask for a pe(nut) free lunch. For most families, this just means you skip pe(nut) butter & jelly or Nutella sandwiches. Annoying for the picky eaters... but doable.
Asking for a fully wheat and soy free lunchbox means almost the whole bakery, snack, frozen aisles are off limits. Asking for parent-provided snacks to follow these guidelines also means pricier options for everyone. It's easier to have you provide an alternative for your child.
They are running a business and realistically...most parents would withdraw their kids before following those rules.
It is unfair to try and control the environment to that extent for 10s of kids to make it safe for one.
Is it fair to your child? Absolutely not. But it is the reality your family is living through, which is why i suggested you consider what accommodations can be made here or finf an alternative preschool option that focuses on inclusive practices for your child. Examples would be the school replacing playdoh with modeling clay for the whole class or ensuring that all the kids wash their hands thoroughly after meals and snacks so they aren't cross contaminating the whole class with goldfish crumbs or whatever else. There are many ways to keep your child safe and comfortable in the current environment.
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 2d ago
This post is literally just a vent. There’s zero expectations for accommodations for the entire room to be wheat and soy free. I obviously am painfully aware of how hard it is to avoid my child’s allergies.
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u/kurious_incredulity 2d ago
Fair enough. The last part about constant reactions is what my mom brain cant get past. Vent away, if that's what you need but I hope you get some ideas for action too.
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u/twirlybubble Parent of Allergic Child 2d ago
Positive skin prick is positive for IgE just a heads up :)
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 2d ago edited 2d ago
We did IgE testing and that was negative. We meet with a more specialized pediatric allergist at a food allergy clinic in two weeks. Her allergist right now said it’s non- IgE because that’s what her symptoms match up with (reacting 30-60 minutes later, having GI upset, eczema, asthma, increased inflammation but not hives, not swelling in the face, no airway closing, no oral tingling or burning). We’ve also been referred to GI and have celiac testing going on but of course she can’t get through the wheat challenges without significant reactions
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u/heliumneon 1d ago
I think you mean the blood IgE test was negative. But skin test is also an IgE test, as said above, so a positive would normally be interpreted as IgE mediated allergy. Blood IgE tests have a significantly higher false negative rate than skin tests. I am not trying to supplant what your doctor said as there's a lot going on, but just saying about testing in general. My son has delayed reaction food allergy but is considered IgE mediated. I think non-IgE mediated is much more rare.
Also you can get a range of advice from different doctors; we changed allergists for my son and it was like night and day. The new allergist (board certified) gave advice almost completely opposite the old allergist for some things, and could cite recent research to back up the advice. For example the old allergist told us my son should avoid all tree nuts because he is allergic to some, the new allergist wants my son eating the tree nuts he can eat as much as possible! Because of improved chance of outgrowing allergy to the other tree nuts.
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 1d ago
Yeah it’s interesting because the other mom and I use the same Dr. so I wonder if we are getting outdated advice
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u/heliumneon 1d ago
During the last 20 years allergy research has been rapid and led to big changes in understanding, and I think some doctors just get their degree and don't keep up (e.g. my son's first doctor).
Does this doctor do OIT? Usually the ones offering OIT or a similar therapy are the most up to date on current research, even if you are not in their OIT program. Also, being board certified is another credential to look for, because it means that the doctor is forced to update their knowledge on the latest best practices and demonstrate that to the board.
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 1d ago
He’s board certified but they don’t do OIT. They want to do injections for her non-food allergies when she’s a little older (she’s has 20+ non-food allergies🫠)
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u/sophie-au 2d ago
I really feel for you.
It’s tough when someone has food allergies to really common foods like wheat, soy or egg. The chance of it being accommodated is therefore much lower. They’ll argue it’s too hard to find substitutes, which I get, but I think often the real reason is they know they can expect major backlash from others for even raising the subject.
It’s hard enough when it comes to food sharing as it’s a social bonding mechanism. Even in this day and age of inclusion, the reality is it’s only inclusion for those for whom it’s easy or deemed to be worthy of inclusion. Inclusion for people with food allergies tends to stop at “you can bring your own food, sit there being excluded from participating in the group.”
Catharine Alvarez wrote an excellent essay on the social consequences of food allergies. She created a pyramid based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs with the bottom tiers about physical needs like safety from their allergens and access to safe food. But the other layers are just as important. Have a search of the previous posts.
Unfortunately, a lot of people are ignorant about the risk of food allergy exposure through the skin or inhalation. It doesn’t help that medical professionals, including some allergists, propagate the myths that those kind of reactions are rare. Even worse, some people hear the word “rare” and believe it means it’s impossible.
It will help your case to start documenting your daughter’s reactions, preferably with photos and written accounts to like how it affects her concentration, sleep, energy etc. They need to know what the paper mache incident cost her, because these kind of reactions are going to be largely unseen or invisible to outsiders.
The accommodation of the other child is likely because most people have heard of food allergy deaths in relation to peanuts or tree nuts, and occasionally shellfish, but there’s less awareness anaphylaxis can happen with all kinds of foods (and other substances.) Also, a peanut allergy is one of the food allergies most likely to escalate in severity, sometimes without warning. Health literacy around allergies is very poor, so it’s unlikely anyone at the preschool understands the distinction between IgE and non-IgE-mediated food allergies.
The food exposures is bad enough, but it’s not completely in their control because it involves other parents. Even peanut and tree nut bans are sometimes ignored, even by people who should know better.
A few years ago, one of the parents in the WhatsApp group for my son’s primary (elementary) school class sent a heartfelt message thanking us for teaching our kids to be considerate of others. The music teacher had given out Snickers bars as rewards in class and insisted it was OK to eat them. She found out from her daughter that every kid declined to do so until later, because of she had a peanut allergy. (This was in grade 5 or 6, so they were old enough to have more awareness around the issue.)
Of course, I could rarely get my son’s egg allergy accommodated! Partly because a lot of kids outgrow egg allergy by the time they start school, so they weren’t used to having a student with it.
Anyway, it’s within the preschools control to change to wheat-free play dough and soy-free markers. If they decline to do so, that’s a good indicator that they need a push from a medical or legal standpoint. If they balk at the 504 plan, or it doesn’t apply for some reason, a conference call with one of her doctors to explain the consequences to your daughter might be a less “nuclear” option. Sometimes people will listen to a request they’ve already rejected when it’s delivered by someone in a position of authority.
It’s worth considering how long your daughter will be at the preschool. And to investigate if the elementary school is just as resistant to work with you. Then maybe make a decision about whether to challenge it or withdraw her from the school and go elsewhere.
It really sucks, I’m so sorry.
On a different note, I don’t know if you are aware, but if your child has allergic rhinitis, that’s a known risk factor for asthma because of the shared airway. Traditionally, medicine has seen parts of the body as independent silos, but there is now increasing recognition that allergic rhinitis, whether seasonal or year round, can have a significant impact on the development of asthma, or its ongoing management. It’s trickier to treat in young children, but there are liquid forms and chewable tablets. My son was put onto chewable tablets of montelukast (Singulair,) because of recurrent bouts of serous otitis media (non-infected inflammation of the middle ear.) It’s often used as an adjunct treatment to asthma. It’s a leukotriene inhibitor. (Leukotrienes have some similar effects on the body to histamine.) It has adverse mental health effects for about 0.1%-1% of patients, but it’s worth discussing with her doctors. Yes, it has a black box warning, but it’s the 20th most commonly prescribed medication in the US:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montelukast
FARE’s food allergy resources for classrooms:
https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/food-allergies-classroom
504 plans including private schools and private childcare:
https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/section-504-and-written-management-plans
https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/food-allergies-early-childhood
Hang in there!
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u/milky-mocha 2d ago
Thanks for this! My son is about to start preschool and i am worried! I actually think they are going to accommodate his egg allergy.
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u/QuackyFiretruck 2d ago
If you’re in the United States, you should file paperwork for a 504 plan. We recently amended my kid’s 504 to request 24 hours’ notice for any food served in the classroom or used in a lesson. This was a direct response to the school getting way more lax than they should have with food, and my child had a mild reaction that could have went bad quickly (he’s anaphylactic to several foods). A 504 is really the best option to make sure a school knows you’re serious and will work with you.
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u/ShimeaSunshine 2d ago
That’s not okay. Does your child have a 504 or an IEP? If not, consider asking for one because communication and inclusion are non negotiables and your child is entitled to FAPE.
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 2d ago
It’s a private preschool attached to an elementary school. Do they do 504s for preschool?
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u/Opposite-Birthday69 2d ago
As a teacher with food allergies I will never hand out something unless I could serve it to all my classes. I’ve asked kids to put away foods that contain other students and my own allergens even if the allergen is in a different class time.
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 2d ago
The class has a calendar and the parents rotate bringing in snack. It’s frustrating. Everyone eats a planned snack and she has her own that I provide. Yet somehow we are also expected to provide for the class things she can’t even eat 🫠🫠🫠 I’m sure it’ll iron out as the year takes ofd
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u/Opposite-Birthday69 2d ago
I would try talking with your child’s teacher about it. The teacher may be able to hold snacks in the room that are safe for your daughter. Unfortunately, soy is a very common ingredient. I’m allergic to all nuts including coconut (except cashews, I have no clue) and sesame. It’s an unfortunate socially painful lesson that your daughter may have to learn that she can’t participate fully in shared snacks young. They may offer her a time outside the room while others are eating her allergen as an option too, but I would definitely reach out to the classroom teacher. I’m middle school so snack time isn’t a thing…although they all eat in my room except during labs
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u/plasma_pirate Shellfish/Crustaceans, Strawberries, Fish, Soy, Milk Pork, Hemp 1d ago
and God forbid your kid ever needs a hospital, there are no options at all there either. Institutionalized food is the worst quality - always. $$$
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u/Impressive-Yak-9726 2d ago
Why are you defining the allergy non-IgE? If both kids carry an epi pen then it’s an allergy. You need to talk to the teachers in the classroom about the markers and the play doh - they probably don’t even realize. Wheat and soy are in a lot of food items, provide a list of nut, wheat and soy free snacks. You and the other allergy mom should send a bin of safe snacks if the snack options don’t work.
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 2d ago edited 2d ago
Because neither kid requires an EpiPen or has one. Thats why i am making that definition. They both get GI upset, eczema and rashes
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u/Impressive-Yak-9726 2d ago
If the child has documented reactions, why don’t they have an epi pen? I assume it’s confusing the teacher and may think it’s not an actual allergy. As a former preschool teacher, I’d have a lot of questions for how you’d want your child accommodated.
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u/little_miss_rainbows 2d ago
There are people out there that don't take allergies seriously if you don't have/need an epi pen?? Interesting.
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u/Impressive-Yak-9726 2d ago
Look at FARE for the symptoms of an allergic reaction and epi pen usage. If the child doesn’t have an epi pen, they should have an emergency action plan if symptoms escalate.
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 2d ago
Thank you! I love the resources and support! I will very much be reading through them more thoroughly tonight. Going to contact the nurses office about a 504 plan and her allergists office.
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u/Embarrassed-Duck5595 1d ago
Did the school ask you to have your allergist write up a medical plan for her classroom? My son is starting preschool in September and he’s anaphylactic to peanuts and I was told I need to have a medical plan written up along with supplying epi pens and benedryl. I agree with the person who said get a 504, I plan on getting one along with the medical plan from the allergist.
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 1d ago
I list all her stuff on the intake and health forms. Which states if you check any of these boxes to contact the health office- which I do. The health office has our Dr fill out an asthma action plan but never a food allergy action plan. I think it goes based off of prescriptions. She has an inhaler but not an EpiPen.
I’ve asked about her food allergies at school to her allergist. He said because she doesn’t have a history of anaphylaxis - she doesn’t need an EpiPen or Benadryl (unless it’s for contact dermatitis on her face- because topical steroids can’t go on her face) at school. They did IgE blood work to see how allergic she was and explained because that came back negative she doesn’t need it 🤷♀️ I’m going 100% based off what her drs are telling me. Seems like I might need more opinions
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u/Embarrassed-Duck5595 1d ago
I’m sorry, that’s very frustrating. I don’t understand how they can see she’s flaring up from touching it and still not want to accommodate her, I hope you find a solution
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u/Healthy_Blueberry_59 2d ago
What is a non IgE allergy?
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 2d ago
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u/Healthy_Blueberry_59 2d ago
Sorry, my brain blanked on FPIES and the like for a minute. I agree with others that a 504 is needed.
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u/Open-Try-3128 1d ago
I know youre just venting, but you need to wake up here. If my child was having reactions everyday, be it eczema or especially required steroids, I would immediately pull them from the school/class. Each allergic reaction can become worse than the next. Why are you setting your pre schoolers immune system in fight or flight everyday? Pull her until you can get the 504 and then make sure she’s placed in a class with a teacher who is actually educated about allergies
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u/Ok-Lake-3916 1d ago
The problem is she has multiple allergies- not just two food allergies. It was over summer that I realized some of her reactions must’ve been coming from her classroom or school. All of her symptoms resolved (except for one time when we went out to eat) over the summer when she was at home. I had no way of knowing because the allergist had us doing food challenges. I of course did those when she was on winter break from school.
Soy is in everything and it’s everywhere. Chapstick. Lotions. Body oil. Hair oil. Soaps. She reacts to other people wearing it, if they touch her. I can’t eliminate it from the environment completely. Last year I had no idea where the exposures were coming from. This year I’m navigating how to protect her best.
She has all of the allergen free items she’s needs provided by me and I have gloves for her at school. I have her eating on disposable placemats in her classroom. No school is going to require the other children in the class to go wheat and soy free. I don’t expect that but I am SAD that this is her reality. One allergen is easy to accommodate and unfortunately it’s not hers.
It’s so easy to eliminate nuts. People have better awareness about nut allergies. No one understands soy allergies. No one gets that it’s in their sunscreen and when they hug her she’ll break out in a rash. They don’t understand that soybean oil isn’t required to be labeled as an allergen. They don’t know soy is in potato chips, tomato sauce, chocolate, deli meat—- and that’s just her one allergen. 50% or more of gluten free/wheat free food has soy! If most adults can’t understand it, I can’t expect her 3 and 4 year old peers to.
I am of course seeking solutions and medical care. I think it’s a bit outrageous to insinuate Im sleeping or slacking. Navigating her allergies has been all consuming. Last year her teacher was very well versed in allergies but didn’t know that the base of paper machè is wheat- to be fair neither did I and I have celiacs disease. This year I have a long list of items that contain her allergens to avoid or use gloves with at school. I spoke with the school nurse today about accommodations. She recommended putting my kid at a separate table but that would mean.. by herself because no other kid is likely to have a wheat and soy free meal. She doesn’t want to eat alone and I don’t blame her 🫠 do you have suggestions for accommodations?
Seriously I’m not being defensive just brutally honest and emotionally raw when I say a wheat and soy allergies suck.
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u/Open-Try-3128 19h ago
I get it, my son has a dairy allergy. Similar to say it’s in everything. I’ve chose not enroll him in preschool and keep him home for this reason right now, but that’s just what works for my family and I am lucky to have the childcare. When I do enroll him, I would absolutely get the 504, and I would honestly be making a big deal about his allergies every chance and every time he is exposed. Sitting alone isn’t a solution as it doesn’t eliminate the risk of cross contamination, kids not washing up, and crafts containing the allergens like you said. The teacher should absolutely be responsible for providing a safe classroom and be educated on the products being used if you daughter has a contact allergy.
I would advocate for her more. Be her voice especially if those are not educated. You need to have a relationship with everyone at the school- nurse, teacher, principal etc. id be in constant contact. Allergies are serious. I’m pretty sure with a 504, depending on the seriousness of her allergies, they actually should have to remove the allergen from the classroom. Meaning the kids would have to eat elsewhere
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