Food Allergies

Question 1

“The smell of peanut butter will cause an allergic reaction in someone with a peanut allergy”

Answer 1

Myth

Question 2

Practically any food can cause a reaction. Life threatening reactions can occur with milk, eggs, wheat and others.

Answer 2

Fact

Question 3

“My kid would have a severe reaction, his numbers are off the charts”

Answer 3

Myth

Question 4

“You will experience a severe allergic reaction if the food that you are allergic to touches your skin.”

Answer 4

Myth

Question 5

Healthy skin is a good barrier. Although local skin reactions do occur, isolated contact with intact skin is very unlikely to cause an anaphylactic reaction. More severe reactions can occur if the allergen then gets in the mouth, eyes or nose.

Answer 5

Fact

Question 6

“’Nut-free’ schools are safest ”

Answer 6

Myth

Question 7

Advisory statements don’t mean anything. They’re just there to protect a company from liability.

Answer 7

Myth

Question 8

Food allergens are not eliminated by hand sanitizing gels.

Answer 8

Fact

Question 9

Comprehensive policies that include prevention and preparedness strategies that apply to all allergens are critical and cannot be replaced by attempts at specific allergen restriction.

Answer 9

Fact

Question 10

Specific IgE testing cannot be used to predict the severity of an allergic reaction. There is currently no testing that can make this prediction.

Answer 10

Fact

Question 11

Food allergens are not eliminated by heating

and drying.

Answer 11

Fact

Question 12

The smell of peanut butter is caused by pyrizines, which are not proteins. In most cases it is the proteins that trigger allergic reactions.

Answer 12

Fact

Question 13

The cafeteria is the riskiest place in school

Answer 13

Myth

Question 14

It is safest to avoid foods with advisory statements for your food allergens. Studies demonstrate that some items have detectable allergens.

Answer 14

Fact

Question 15

Close to 10% of those requiring epinephrine in MA schools were staff or visitors

Answer 15

Fact

Question 16

The epinephrine needle is huge

Answer 16

Myth

Question 17

Data suggests upsizing auto-injectors at 55 lbs

Answer 17

Fact

Question 18

“High heat eliminates allergen”

Answer 18

Myth

Question 19

Any staff member who might interact with children with food allergies or be asked to help respond to a food allergy emergency should be trained.

Answer 19

Fact

Question 20

The classroom is the most common place for symptoms of allergic reactions to begin

Answer 20

Fact

Question 21

There are cases when school resources and layout support having epinephrine auto-injectors “carried” by students. In some cases these students are not developmentally capable to self-inject.

Answer 21

Fact

Question 22

If a student self carries they must self-administer

Answer 22

Myth

Question 23

All anaphylactic reactions are visible on the skin.

Answer 23

Myth

Question 24

Give Antihistamine first

Answer 24

Myth

Question 25

Epinephrine is the choice of medication for anaphylaxis

Answer 25

Fact

Question 26

Only students will experience allergic emergencies

Answer 26

Myth

Question 27

You need to call an ambulance because epinephrine is dangerous.

Answer 27

Myth

Question 28

“Only staff that directly work with students need to be trained”

Answer 28

Myth

Question 29

10 to 20 % of anaphylactic reactions have no skin reactions.

Answer 29

Fact

Question 30

Calling an ambulance is important because if it was a bad enough reaction to need epinephrine and more treatment may be necessary.

Answer 30

Fact