Strengthening food allergy policies, safeguarding students’ health: a personal story

By De'Asia T.

Hello, today's article is about what you might've seen from the headline, allergies! Food allergies, to be specific. Did you know that the most common kind of food allergy is milk, seafood, tree nuts, soy and wheat. And which one of these do I actually have?   Seafood.  If you want to be exact, I have a shellfish allergy. This means that I'm allergic to crabs, lobsters, clams, shrimp, crawfish and any other kind of sea creature that has a shell. With that being said there are extreme safety measures you have to take when dealing with this allergy and the others!

With this being said they’re many different kinds of allergic reactions along with different levels of severity. Just because a person isn’t broken out in hives or swelling doesn’t mean that they are ‘perfectly fine’ or that it isn’t “that bad”. As a person- a young person with a food allergy, even the slightest bit of tingling or itchy feeling while you're around or near something you're allergic to can be nerve-wrecking especially if you're in a restaurant or at an event that has seafood nearby. But what do you do… if you’re at school? Well, we’ll get that question answered in a sec. First, what are the different levels of an allergic reaction? 

There are four types of allergic reactions: Anaphylaxis, Cytotoxic, Immunocomplex and cell-mediated. Each one of these reactions are triggered in a number of different ways and can manifest differently in each person. Anaphylaxis is the most severe and the most life threatening. this is the one that you need to be on a close look out for. I have this, it’s not fun to have or experience. It’s very dangerous and should be treated immediately. This is the signs of an Anaphylaxis reaction; immune system releases a flood of chemicals (can cause anaphylaxis shock) Blood pressure suddenly drops, airways narrow, swollen throat, shortness of breath, fast weak pulse, hives and/or rash. 

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way let’s get into “what do I do if I start having an allergic reaction while I'm at school?” First, every person who has a food allergy should have an epi-pen, I use epi-pen Jr. However I've been told whatever is the closest USE! Doesn’t matter if it's epi-pen or or a regular epi-pen, use it if you have to! Epi-pens should be used if the airways are being blocked, for example if your throat is swelling and/or becoming narrow and it's to breathe. If that happens go to the school-nurse, take the epi-pen and have them dial 911 and request for an EMS. depending on where you live, this number may vary. Once that is done and they arrive everything should be smooth sailing from there on. The biggest thing you can do for yourself is remain calm and try not to worry or panic. You are in safe hands with the school nurse and emergency responders. 

Now my experience personally consists of the nurse alerting the school officer to dial 911 because my mother requested I use my epi-pen. If you have to use your epi-pen you will be called an ambulance and taken to the hospital. Nevertheless, if you need to use your epi-pen, do so! This is very serious and should not be ignored and can indicate a more serious allergic reaction. 

This leads me to say if you are in a situation and are having an allergic reaction while at school and it is caused by someone else eating or having something that others can possibly be allergic to. What are the policies? Are there any rules that can potentially prevent these kinds of incidents from happening? What are the punishments for those who are aware and still do so? I'll tell you what there is none for lexington school district 2 according to an administrator here at AHS. There is only punishment available for those who purposely try to hurt people by doing so but nothing to prohibit or prevent these kinds of situations directly. 

With that being said, being a student here at AHS, there is a huge need for these kinds of policies and rules in order to protect the students at Airport who, like myself, have food allergies as well. According to the Food Allergy Research & Education facts and statistics more than 15% of school age children- students with Food allergies have had a reaction in school. 

I interviewed some of my teachers and friends here at AHS who are allergic to certain kinds of foods. When I asked them how they felt about our school and district not having any kind of policy addressing food allergies this is what they said.

Hannah R. says, "It sucks because I could break out. They should have rules of what foods should be allowed, or a room where they can go to eat it.”

To express your concern about food allergies and school policies, reach out to Nurse Richie or the Student Services division of the district office.