I need help with a peanut allergy

[ryka]

I have a boy in my class this year that has a peanut allergy. I am going to be making bags up for halloween and was wondering what I can put into his bag that he can actually eat? I was looking at the ingredients on some of the candy and alot say may contain peanuts. Can anyone give me ideas?

 

[Christine]

You should not try to feed this child.

Ask the teacher for his parent's phone number and give them a call. The parents should always be consulted in this.

 

[ryka]

I'm in the class with this child everyday and we have never seen the parents. They drop him off early and pick him up late. It's hard to get in touch with them. We have tried. The only way we found out he had this allergy is because his mother sent in a note saying he has his epi pen in his bookbag in case something happens.

 

[Christine]

I'm in the class with this child everyday and we have never seen the parents. They drop him off early and pick him up late. It's hard to get in touch with them. We have tried. The only way we found out he had this allergy is because his mother sent in a note saying he has his epi pen in his bookbag in case something happens.

I would still make every attempt to contact them at home. If you can't get them, some safe treats are:

Plain Hershey's Kisses
Hershey's Kissables
Plain Hershey's Chocolate Bar (Standard size only, not the bite sized or the king sized)
Rice Krispy Treats
Some Hostess Products (like Ho Ho's and Cupcakes--read each label).

Any type of candy like Skittles, Starburst, BlowPops, Gum.

 

[ryka]

Thanks. I am going to send a note home with him tomorrow. I hope they get back to me. I know I have seen him eating goldfish and applesauce. I just don't want him to feel bad because he can't have what the other kids have. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[yasmina]

I would definitely avoid any chocolate products. Even those w/o peanuts are made in facilities that process candies with nuts. If his allergy is severe, which it must be if the child carries an epi-pen, you just don't want to take any chances.

In my opinion, these parents are clearly irresponsible. I am peanut allergic, as is my 9 yo dd. I contact the school at the beginning of each year. While I'm not a "helicopter" parent, I make sure that all school personnel are aware of the allergy.

 

[ryka]

I would definitely avoid any chocolate products. Even those w/o peanuts are made in facilities that process candies with nuts. If his allergy is severe, which it must be if the child carries an epi-pen, you just don't want to take any chances.

In my opinion, these parents are clearly irresponsible. I am peanut allergic, as is my 9 yo dd. I contact the school at the beginning of each year. While I'm not a "helicopter" parent, I make sure that all school personnel are aware of the allergy.

I would have done the same thing too. We had to call them at least 3 times before we got them on the phone. He carries an epi pen, and inhaler and some other medicine I have no idea what it is with him in his bookbag. He is 5 years old. I do not know how to use an epi pen. The teacher doesn't know how to use one either. Also if he has it in his bookbag and something happens in the lunchroom or in one of the other classes we go to how is having it in his bookbag going to help. He isn't even my child and I am worried and trying to do everything possible to help him and not cause him harm.

 

[Christine]

I would have done the same thing too. We had to call them at least 3 times before we got them on the phone. He carries an epi pen, and inhaler and some other medicine I have no idea what it is with him in his bookbag. He is 5 years old. I do not know how to use an epi pen. The teacher doesn't know how to use one either. Also if he has it in his bookbag and something happens in the lunchroom or in one of the other classes we go to how is having it in his bookbag going to help. He isn't even my child and I am worried and trying to do everything possible to help him and not cause him harm.

It sounds as if your school doesn't handle this well at all. There is nothing wrong with having it in his bookbag--many parents would love to do that but some schools don't allow it. But he should at least have one at the school clinic or with the teacher. And the teacher should be trained to use it.

My child has a peanut allergy and I do not have to insist on these things. The school holds its own training class the day before school starts and every teacher is trained on how to use an epi-pen. I find it hard to believe he is the only one at that school with an epi-pen. So many kids are allergic to bee stings and other stuff.

We got a note home this year that in my son's school (there are two classes each of K through 8th grade), there is only ONE classroom that had a child without an epi-pen.

 

[Hannathy]

Are you an employee or just a room Mom? What does the teacher want done? It really is her call. If she is concerned about the situation I'm sure as a professional she should know how to handle it and get information, there are channels and people she could have find out. Let her deal with it. Fix the bags and avoid obvious peanut products in his and let her deal with it.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Like PPs have said - nothing chocolate, problem solved. I don't think we have to question the intregity of the parents.

 

[ryka]

I'm sure he probably isn't the only one and I wish they did train everyone in the school to use it. I know the nurse has asked the parents to send in an extra one so she can keep it but it hasn't been sent in yet. I'm not to familiar with any of this and I am trying to learn. I don't know how long he would have if something should happen and he needs the epi-pen. If we are in the lunchroom it would take at least 4 mins to run to the room and get it and bring it back. That's the same with all our other classes not in the room besides art which is in the next room to our class.

I am going to try my hardest to contact the parents this week. I don't want to be the cause of anything happening to this child.

 

[outlander]

It sounds as if your school doesn't handle this well at all. There is nothing wrong with having it in his bookbag--many parents would love to do that but some schools don't allow it. But he should at least have one at the school clinic or with the teacher. And the teacher should be trained to use it.

My child has a peanut allergy and I do not have to insist on these things. The school holds its own training class the day before school starts and every teacher is trained on how to use an epi-pen. I find it hard to believe he is the only one at that school with an epi-pen. So many kids are allergic to bee stings and other stuff.

We got a note home this year that in my son's school (there are two classes each of K through 8th grade), there is only ONE classroom that had a child without an epi-pen.

Agreed, I don't think the school is handling the allergy well at all. Our school nurse comes in and talks to the kids and shows them videos about peanut allergies and the classes with children and allergies are clearly marked. Also, there is a 'peanut free' table in the cafeteria. I can't imagine leaving my child at school were there weren't at least some basic precautions in place.
I commend you for taking the time and effort to accomodate this child.
The easiest thing to do when looking for snacks, is to read the label. I wouldn't put anything in that might contain peanuts. We are extremely fortunate in this day and age that the labels contain this information!

 

[ryka]

Are you an employee or just a room Mom? What does the teacher want done? It really is her call. If she is concerned about the situation I'm sure as a professional she should know how to handle it and get information, there are channels and people she could have find out. Let her deal with it. Fix the bags and avoid obvious peanut products in his and let her deal with it.

I'm an employee. I'm a teacher's aide. The teacher is in the same exact situation as I am. She doesn't know what to give him. The problem that I am having it alot of the bags of candy I have been looking at say may contain peanuts even if peanuts aren't in it. I guess because they are made in a factory that makes things with peanuts. I'm thinking I may look through his snack bag and get ideas from there.

 

[Daxx]

Nerds, Runts, Laffy Taffy, Starburst, Twizzlers, Bubble Gum, Lifesavers, Pixie Sticks, Blow Pops - anything non-chocolate - are all items that are safe. We have had to deal w/peanut allergies in the past (both my classroom and someone in DS's) and have found those items to be safe and on the "approved" list that the mother of the child w/nut allergies sent in.

I hate giving out candy at Halloween to my students and think the kids get enough of that when they go trick or treating. I usually give my students Halloween pencils, cool erasers, stickers, crayons, spider rings and the certificates for fries at BK, frosty's at Wendy's.

 

[ryka]

Nerds, Runts, Laffy Taffy, Starburst, Twizzlers, Bubble Gum, Lifesavers, Pixie Sticks, Blow Pops - anything non-chocolate - are all items that are safe. We have had to deal w/peanut allergies in the past (both my classroom and someone in DS's) and have found those items to be safe and on the "approved" list that the mother of the child w/nut allergies sent in.

Thanks. I didn't even think of those things.

 

[Daxx]

I stated that any non-chocolate items are safe and I SOOO take that back!!!!

So, don't blast me on this one b/c now I am clarifying that there mght be some non-chocolate items that might use peanut or nut oils in producing them!!!! Be sure to check out if ANY peanut oils/nut oils are used in manufacturing of any non-chocolate candies.

The ones I mentioned in my earlier post were cleared for peanut allergies as per the list I received last year from a mom whose child had peanut allergies. No matter what you buy, be sure to check the labels for any type of nut oils!

 

[Christine]

I stated that any non-chocolate items are safe and I SOOO take that back!!!!

So, don't blast me on this one b/c now I am clarifying that there mght be some non-chocolate items that might use peanut or nut oils in producing them!!!! Be sure to check out if ANY peanut oils/nut oils are used in manufacturing of any non-chocolate candies.

The ones I mentioned in my earlier post were cleared for peanut allergies as per the list I received last year from a mom whose child had peanut allergies. No matter what you buy, be sure to check the labels for any type of nut oils!

Also, to add--MANY of the Hershey's products are safe for chocolate. I have talked to them NUMEROUS times. If the item is even made in a room with a nut product, it gets a warning. If it doesn't have a warning at all (as the products listed in my previous posts), then they are made in a nut-free facility within Hershey's.

 

[ryka]

Thanks everyone for the help. I'm going to try to contact the parents first. If that doesn't work then I will check and double check the ingredients. If all else fails I'll just go with fruit.

 

[outlander]

Thanks everyone for the help. I'm going to try to contact the parents first. If that doesn't work then I will check and double check the ingredients. If all else fails I'll just go with fruit.

It's nice to check with the parents but reading the labels is the most prudent. I get asked all the time if certain products are 'okay' but if I have never purchased them myself and read the label, I don't know if they are safe.
Again, it's nice to ask but don't assume the parents know the safety of every product. Look at the label.

 

[Daxx]

Why not switch to gift certs. from Wendy's, McD's and BK. For $1 you can get 8 coupons for a frosty. McDonald's & BK are also doing something similar but can't remember what. Do pencils and erasers and gum across the boards. If you truly want a "safe" route, this is the best bet!!!!