Would you be upset at the school (re: peanut allergy)?

[EnchantedPrincess]

Thank you everyone for your comments. I am glad to know that I am not over-reacting, and definitely glad that dd is OK. I am going to talk to the director of the preschool on Monday. This year, she is in a small private catholic preschool but next year, she will be in kindergarten and will be in a fairly big public school, so I am even more worried about it.

 

[stepnut]

Am I overreacting? Should I just let it go since she is fine.

Are you kidding? Of course you don't let it go! You need to bring it to the attention of whoever is in charge, but you do it in the nicest kindest, non-threatening way that you can. There are still tons of people who think that a food allergy is no more serious than an allergy to grass, causing a few sniffles and sneezes.

The exact thing happened in Sunday School to my peanut-allergy kid, except that he had a nasty skin reaction. It was a new teacher, and I had just spoken to her the week before about his food issues (multiple allergies besides peanuts). This one day, they used PB as a glue for a graham cracker craft. My son got it on his hands, his clothes, and his hands made it to his face...he swelled up everywhere...eyes, faces, hands; his hands and face were covered with bright red blothches and he was horribly itchy. Everyone was in a panic, and the teacher didn't even know it happened because the reaction occured about 10 minutes after he left her class. (The craft was something to end the class period.) I wasn't mad, but I sure was alarmed!

I called both my pastor (good friend of ours) and the teacher (fairly unknown to me) and spoke in a firm, kind and carefully controlled and gracious way. I wasn't accusatory, and I didn't demand a "peanut-safe" envirornment (that's not practical and has a lot of potential legal ramifications) but I did suggest that they not use food as craft items, and certainly not peanut butter, a very common allergen.

The whole event sure did raise the awareness of everyone in the kid's church program! Our church is enormous, and that event got around pretty quick!

So, DO NOT LET IT GO! But don't be a crazy angry lady about it either! Especially with a 4 year old. My son is 8, and he has more ability to self-police his environment. A 4 year old doesn't.

 

[sahm1000]

I had a student in 8th grade while I was a teacher who had a SEVERE peanut allergy. He was not to even be in the room (for fear of breathing it in) if there were peanuts/peanut butter. All of his teachers were given epi-pens by his parents and were told that he had no time to waste if it was necessary to administer it, to stab through his jeans with it. He had one mild (for him, not for others) reaction that year that happened in the cafeteria. He sat at a table that someone in the previous lunch hour had had peanut butter at. The table had been cleaned in between lunch hours but it still caused a reaction for him and his parents were called and they did have to take him to the hospital (due to breathing difficulties) but an epi-pen was not needed. From what I understand from his parents is that his allergy has actually gotten more severe as he gets older. What may not bother your daughter now may potentially harm her next time. Peanut allergies are so scary I would not hesitate to let the school know that this cannot happen again. I don't believe that an angry confrontation is called for (and you don't seem to either) but I would want it known that this is dangerous for your daughter. People are sometimes unaware or misinformed and would never intentionally harm her but don't know the repurcussions of activities like this.

 

[mnasmom3]

Not overreacting at all. I'd be livid. Just the thought of "what ifs" has me mad for you.

 

[dizcrazee]

My daughter has a severe allergy to peanuts and tree nuts. Despite my efforts to convey the seriousness of the situation to teachers, Sunday School workers, etc. in the past, numerous "close calls" have taken place. We had the "peanut butter bird feeder" episode in second grade, but like the OP, we were very fortunate that she didn't have a reaction.

We are now homeschooling our daughter, and the food allergy is one of our reasons for doing so. I realize that this is not a possibility for everyone, but I must say what a relief it is to know that my daughter's diet is being closely supervised by me and my husband until she has the age and maturity to do it for herself. Although we wanted to homeschool for many other reasons as well, it is definitely worth doing for that reason alone.

I'll never forget the time that I walked into the school cafeteria, and my daughter was sitting at a table next to a kid eating a PBJ sandwich, in full view of the teachers, who should have known better. It's like they just disregarded everything I had told them. This was at a small private school, too - the group they had to supervise wasn't that large, they just weren't thinking. They were sitting around enjoying their lunch and chatting while my child was inches from extreme danger.

 

[torinsmom]

This is a silly comment. Our schools have made birdfeeders in the winter because the birds are out there eating. How can there be a 'right' time to make birdfeeders?

Sorry if it was silly to you , but we always make birdfeeders in the spring when there are lots of birds out and the kids can get out and hang them themselves. We don't have nearly as many birds in the winter months, but maybe that is just us.

 

[2bearsmom]

In no way are you over reacting! My 2yr old is allergic to eggs, peanuts and tree nuts. His allergy is not so severe that he can't be around it (as far as having a reaction from breathing it) although I know that can change as he gets older. I make my 6yr old a pb&j sandwich and make him a soy nut butter and jelly sandwich. I'm very careful about how I prepare the sandwiches and sit at their table to make sure he doesn't get his brother's sandwich in any way. I am so worried about when he starts school, starts going to friend's houses for b-day parties etc. We have epi-pens we carry with us, leave at grandma's house etc. Even in the lunch room there is a nut-free table that he will be sitting at. But I will always worry. Reeces Pieces and peanut butter M&M's look like regular M&M's to a little kid.

What were those teachers thinking? I mean your dd is only 4, what would stop her from just licking her finger if she got pb on it? You definitely need to talk to the teacher and the principal. I used to make pine cone bird feeders with pb with my 6yr old when he was younger. He always loved doing that but we stopped when we found out about his brother's allergy. Because of this post I am going to remember to give the school (even though it's still 2yrs away!) this information for my ds, he is not to participate in any crafts using pb! I'm so glad your dd was ok.

 

[AndyMcV]

Wow! I'm shocked. Our DD4 is allergic to peanuts and raw eggs (used to be allergic to wheat too). Seriously, I'd freak out if what happened to your child happened to her. If she were to eat that peanut butter she'd be on her way to the hospital.

You seriously need to go the the head of your school and straighten things out. That's not only careless but it's serious and could be deadly for some children!

 

[luvwdw]

I'm surprised they even did this activity. Most schools and preschools around here are NUT FREE. I can send in a peanut butter sandwich with lunch, but any school/class activity or snack cannot have nut products.

I would be very upset. I don't think you are overreacting at all.

 

[LSchrow]

wow...
i thought all adults knew about PB allergies, or at least those who are in frequent contact with children (both DH & i know, as well as our kidlets ~ and we don't work in fields that deal with children, or even know anyone with the sensitivity ).
this isn't a case of "my child doesn't like peanut butter"......PB can easily (& quickly) put her into anaphylatic shock!
as explained by my allergist (i had two ~ severe ~ episodes of anaphylatic shock from 2 diff medications ~ both of which i had taken previously ).
repeated exposure to the allergen, even in small doses (including airborne, etc), can "build" in her system for about a year. there is no way to tell which of the "minor exposures" will be the one to cause a severe reaction, but each one is affecting her adversely whether there are outward signs or not.
please do as you said, & make sure the school understands that ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse any longer ~ bring as much info as you can (pamphlets from your doc, articles from health websites (webmd, etc)). this is an excellent opportunity to educate them & not only help your DD, but the many other children with similar allergies ~ good luck!

 

[stepnut]

Another point is that more and more co. are covering themselves my listing "may contain trace nuts" and manufactored in a facility that contains nuts. We will use NONE of these products in the classroom where the peanut allergy child is, though we do allow them in other classes. This limites a lot of activities that class can do BUT nothing is worth putting a child in danger.

BTW- We do the bagle bird feeders every January but since we went peanut free we use cream cheese or once we used icing that we had left over. Can you say hyper birds!!!

This confuses people. "Peanuts" and "nuts" are not the same thing. Peanuts are legumes, in the same family as soy, peas, lentils, and beans...things that grow in pods. Nuts refers to "tree nuts" which are just what they sound like: nuts that grow on trees. These include walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc. Peanuts and tree nuts are completely unrelated.

What's interesting is that a a person with a tree nut allergy will typically be allergic to ALL tree nuts. But a person with a peanut allergy or soy allergy is NOT always allergice to all legumes. An allergy to peas or beans is extremely rare.

 

[stepnut]

Wow! I'm shocked. Our DD4 is allergic to peanuts and raw eggs (used to be allergic to wheat too). QUOTE]

I've never heard of an allergy to RAW eggs. She's ok with cooked eggs? That's unusual.

My son has multiple food allergies, including eggs, raw or cooked. When he was younger, his allergy list included milk, eggs, wheat, beef, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, tomatoes and strawberries.

He's outgrown all but milk, eggs and peanuts.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Reading this as a substitute teacher, I'm now so scared of what some posters said about privacy laws keeping regular teachers from informing me of allergies!!!

I've had a few leave me a list, and others with signs on the door, so always assumed the other classes had no allergies.

Just as a parent (DS has friends with allergies) I know there is a standard rule not to let kids share snacks anyway, and I would certainly not bring in a PB craft. But to think someone could have a reaction 10 min after after a hand-to-hand exposure on the playground and I wouln't know why is scarey!

PLEASE, if your child has allergies, send a note giving permission to his or her teacher to put this information in the sub folder!


OP - You are definitely not over-reacting. I'm so glad your little girl is OK!!!

 

[Kris10luvsDisney]

My DD5 is severly allergic to peanuts and has had a few reactions, one of which required epipen/emergency room. It is so nice to hear from so many of you educators who have responded to this post that you recognize how serious food allergies, and in particular peanut allergies, are. My DD entered K'garten this year, and I can tell you that from my experience it is your responsibility to be your child's advocate. Most teachers/administrators don't understand how little it takes to cause a serious reaction. That is where we as parents come in. If you have not checked out the Food Allergy & Anaphalyxis network online, you should do so. They are a wonderful resource for information and materials that you can share w/ your DD's school. Good luck to you!

 

[fishie]

I haven't read many responses, yet, but you are *not* over-reacting, and I also think the school owes you a new backpack. (In my experience, backpacks do not typically come out of the wash in very good shape.)

My DH had life-threatening allergies to true (or "tree") nuts, but is okay with peanuts and coconuts. But because of his allergy, we are supposed to keep our dds away from all peanut, true nut, and shellfish products until they are at least 5 years old. Food allergies are a scary thing.

 

[ChelleinNC]

My nephew (now 4 1/2)had peanut, dairy, egg & banana allergies --he's outgrown egg & bananas and hopefully dairy will be soon

I'll never forget when my nephew was a baby/toddler. He started crying & fussing and my BIL who had been in the kitchen eating some cheese went and picked him up. On both sides, under his arms (where you pick a kid up) were my BIL's handprints The cheese residue on his hands was enough to immediately cause a skin reaction.

For those with food allergy kids, or work with them check out FAAN at www.foodallergy.org There is all sorts of information there and if you can, sign up for the food allergy walk (faanwalk.org) near you to spread awareness and raise money for research.

There are also support/playgroups for allergic kids & their parents. My sister is a co-founder of PAK -Parents of Allergic Kids- in Charlotte, NC.
(pakcharlotte.org) It's a great, safe way for kids to play and parents to have other parents who understand.

 

[fishie]

but we always make birdfeeders in the spring when there are lots of birds out and the kids can get out and hang them themselves. We don't have nearly as many birds in the winter months, but maybe that is just us.

North Carolina doesn't have any birds during the winter time? I guess they all came up here to Massachusetts, because we are refilling our 12" x 2" bird feeder every 3 or 4 days!

 

[camlace]

This may be a dumb question...but are you sure it was "peanut" butter. My daughter's daycare uses soy butter or sunbutter for this activity because they are a peanut free school. Just a thought...

 

[fishie]

This may be a dumb question...but are you sure it was "peanut" butter. My daughter's daycare uses soy butter or sunbutter for this activity because they are a peanut free school. Just a thought...

But soy and almond, two other now-common "butters" are also common allergens. Don't know about sun butter -- is that sunflower seeds?

 

[mrsg00fy]

First I would like to say that I'm sorry that you had to go through this and it is frightening.

I have not read every post but it seems that the consensus is that this is totally the school's fault. I'm not saying that you should not be upset with the school, but knowing that this allergy exists.....you really need to stress to your child how important it is to stay away from peanuts.

Does your daughter know that she is allergic to peanuts? I understand that she is only 4 years old, but it sounds from your post that she knows that she should not come in contact with them. At that age, we had an incident in preschool with someone eating bananas while sitting next to my son who was allergic to bananas. He knew that he was allergic and made such a scene in the classroom that no one ever ate another banana near him. We received a phone call from a quite upset and shaken teacher and the school nurse as well. We understood how serious allergies were because our son almost died from the chicken pox shot due to a severe allergic reaction. We understood that we would have to impress upon him the seriousness of the allergies as he would have to manage situations for himself....and avoid the items he was allergic to.

While you need to talk to the school....it is so much more important to talk to your child about not going near peanuts and the need to say something if someone who does not know puts them near her.