Benadryl with clearly-labeled dispensing cup, EpiPen and hydrocortisone, also labeled with directions, in labeled Tupperware box on Teacher's Desk. Shelf-stable dairy-free snacks in Teacher's closet, just in case. Child is sent to school with a dairy-free snack every day.
Dairy-free cookies and cupcakes (for classroom parties) in school freezer stored in clearly-labeled freezer bags. Label information includes Child's name, Teacher's name, contents, and the adjective "dairy-free."
(Nowheymama tip: After baking cupcakes, peel back one side of the cupcake paper, slice the cupcake two-thirds of the way across, as you would a sandwich roll, and spread icing in the center of the cupcake. Rewrap in cupcake paper and place in freezer bag.)
Mama's Purse:
Benadryl with cup
EpiPen
Hydrocortisone
Fruit snacks
Granola bar
Church Allergy Kit
Church Allergy Kit (good for any extracurricular activity location)*
All of the following items are kept in one large, clearly-labeled plastic container that is stored in a locked office when not in use. It is brought out on Wednesdays and Sundays, when Child is present.
Benadryl with clearly-labeled dispensing cup
Hydrocortisone, also labeled with directions
Various shelf-stable dairy-free snacks
*There is no EpiPen in this allergy kit because the doctor prescribes only two: for home and school. Mama is either in the building or nearby with her cell phone and EpiPen. If Mama is away, her EpiPen is given to someone else.
More Tips:
"Unappealing" adjectives like "dairy-free" and "wheat-free" plastered all over the storage containers seem to keep food thieves away.
We put dye-free liquid Benadryl in all of our kits. We tried the Benadryl quick-dissolve strips, but they taste like mint, which Child doesn't like, and you need scissors to open each individual strip. Not very handy in the heat of the moment. I just saw an ad last night for the Benadryl pre-filled single-use spoons. Those seem like they might be a reasonable alternative to put in Child's backpack or perhaps in the Allergy Kits. I'm interested in seeing them up close.
EDITED TO ADD: The Benadryl Perfect Measure Spoons are excellent and mess free. They would also be great in these kits.
Awesome! Thanks for all the info.
ReplyDeleteThat's really handy to know - we have to take The Baby in for food allergy testing soon. Oh boy.
ReplyDeleteBeck,
ReplyDeleteFood allergy testing - yuck. Skin tests?
What a great resource!
ReplyDeleteMy mom was a kindergarten teacher and there was an incident where a child with a peanut allergy was in severe distress because he was having a reaction outside at recess and the epi pen was inside on the teacher's desk. He survived, but from that day on, the child (and every other child with allergies) wore a brightly coloured "fanny-pack" with the epi pen at all times.
Youn sound incredibly orgaanized. But this is a life threatening situation, so I suppose i'd rise to the occasion too. TFH went through a round of skin-prick tests last summer - many nuts and fish are off limits anymore. Sadly, pine nuts is one of the worst. :(
ReplyDeleteLori D - That is *exactly* what I would like the school district to do! This year is 1/2 day Kindergarten, and we're lucky to have a teacher who carries an EpiPen Jr. with her at all times in case of emergency. (Wonder how she got a prescription for that?!) Anyway, I worry about next year with all-day school and more classes (gym, music, etc.)
ReplyDeleteTFM - I try to be organized about allergies. About the rest of life? Not so much. I heart pine nuts.