This document provides an overview of caring for children with allergies, anaphylaxis, and seizures. It discusses common allergens like food, pollen, and insect stings. Allergic reactions can range from mild symptoms to the life-threatening condition of anaphylaxis. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. The document emphasizes developing individualized action plans, recognizing symptoms, and following plans to properly treat allergic reactions.
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Caring for Children with Allergies, Anaphylaxis and Seizures
1. “I feel funny”
Caring for Children with Allergies, Anaphylaxis
and Seizures
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Presented by:
Child Care Nurse Consultant
September 2018
2. Disclaimer
This training is not:
A substitute for written individual special needs care plans
Verifying competency in epinephrine administration or
anti-convulsant medications
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3. Learning Objectives
At the end of this training, you will be able to:
Identify common allergies
Recognize and respond to allergic reactions
Recognize common seizure types and their possible impact
on children
Recognize when a seizure is a medical emergency
Learn how to develop a special needs “action plan”
Know appropriate first aid
Provide support to children with special medical needs
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5. What is an allergy?
Allergies are among the most common chronic conditions
worldwide
Body’s immune system mistakes an otherwise harmless
substance as an invader
The immune system overreacts to the allergen by
producing Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies
IgE antibodies travel to cells that release histamine
causing an allergic reaction
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6. Allergy Exposure
Allergy exposure can occur through:
Touching or contact with the allergen (environmental
allergy, food allergy, bee/wasp stings)
Breathing in the allergen (environmental or food
allergy)
Ingestion (food allergy)
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7. Allergens
A number of different allergens are responsible for allergic
reactions. The most common include:
Pollen
Dust
Food
Insect stings
Animal dander
Mold
Medications/Drugs
Latex
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8. Poll Question 1
How can allergy exposure occur?
a) Touching or contact with the allergen
b) Breathing in the allergen
c) Ingestion
d) a and c
e) All of the above
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9. Food Allergies
One in every 13 children has a food allergy!
The 8 most common food allergies are:
Milk
Egg
Peanut
Tree nuts
Soy
Wheat
Fish
Shellfish
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10. Food Allergies
Any food can cause a food allergy.
Other foods that can cause allergic reactions include:
Fruits
Seeds (sesame, sunflower, poppy, etc..)
Corn
Meat
Gelatin
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12. Food For Thought - A Day in the Life of a
Food Allergy Mom video
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13. Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction typically triggers symptoms in the
nose, lungs, throat, sinuses, ears, lining of the stomach or
on the skin.
For some people, allergies can also trigger symptoms of
asthma.
In the most serious cases, a life-threatening reaction
called anaphylaxis (an-a-fi-LAK-sis) can occur.
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14. Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life threatening allergic reaction
that affects the entire body
Symptoms can begin within minutes to several hours after
exposure to the allergen
The most common anaphylactic reactions are to foods,
insect stings, and medications
Every 3 minutes a food allergy reaction sends someone to
the emergency room
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15. Anaphylaxis Symptoms
Symptoms of Anaphylaxis
MOUTH itching, swelling of lips and/or tongue
THROAT* itching, tightness/closure, hoarseness
SKIN itching, hives, redness, swelling
GUT vomiting, diarrhea, cramps
LUNG* shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing
HEART* weak pulse, dizziness, passing out
Only a few symptoms may be present. Severity of symptoms
can change quickly.
*Some symptoms can be life-threatening. ACT FAST!
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16. How do you know that a child is having
an allergic reaction?
Itching and redness
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17. How do you know that a child is having
an allergic reaction?
Hives
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18. How do you know that a child is having
an allergic reaction?
Facial (lip) swelling
Facial (eye) swelling
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19. What a child might do when having an
allergic reaction…
Signs of an allergic reaction in children can include:
Putting their hands in their mouths
Pulling or scratching at their tongues
Slurring their words
Their voices may change (e.g., become hoarse or squeaky)
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20. How a child might describe an allergic
reaction…
A child might use words like these to describe a reaction:
"This food is too spicy."
"My tongue [or mouth] is hot [or burning, tingling,
itching]."
"It feels like something’s poking my tongue."
"It [my tongue] feels like there is hair on it."
“I feel funny."
"There’s something stuck in my throat."
"It feels like a bump is on the back of my tongue [throat]."
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21. How a child might describe an allergic
reaction…
A child might use words like these to describe a reaction:
"My lips feel tight."
"It feels like there are bugs in there." [to describe itchy ears]
“My eyes are burning [or itchy].”
“My skin feels itchy.”
“My stomach [or tummy] hurts.”
“My chest is tight.”
“Something is wrong” or “Something bad is happening.”
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22. Poll Question 2
What might be signs of an allergic reaction in a
child?
a) Putting their hands in their mouths
b) Pulling or scratching at their tongues
c) Slurring their words
d) Their voices may change (e.g., become hoarse or
squeaky)
e) All of the above
September 2018 22
23. Allergic Reaction – What do I do?
Three questions to ask yourself:
Is the allergic reaction mild?
Does the child have a diagnosed allergy?
Is there an Action Plan?
When in doubt… Call 911!
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24. Refer to the Action Plan!
Anaphylaxis Action Plan
Food Allergy Action Plan
Both forms are available for free download on the
Healthy Child Care Iowa website
https://www.idph.iowa.gov/hcci/products
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25. Action Plan
An Action Plan may include these medications
Topical Antihistamine
Inhaler (if allergy triggers asthma symptoms)
Nebulizer (if allergy triggers asthma symptoms)
Epinephrine
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26. Treating Mild or Moderate Allergic
Reactions
Symptoms of an allergic reaction can affect different parts
of the body. Mild to moderate symptoms include:
Nose: itchy/runny nose, sneezing
Skin: a few hives, mild itch
Gut: mild nausea/discomfort
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27. Treating Mild or Moderate Allergic
Reactions
Available Treatments
Refer to the Action Plan!
Antihistamines are appropriate for a single mild symptom, such
as a few hives. They cannot control a severe reaction and are
no substitute for epinephrine. If symptoms multiply or worsen,
give epinephrine
Antihistamines, known as H1 blockers, reduce or block
histamines/ chemicals your body releases when it comes into
contact with an allergen
Examples of Antihistamines include diphenhydramine
(Benadryl®) and cetirizine (Zyrtec®)
Antihistamines may be topical or oral
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28. Allergic Reaction-Be Aware!
Anyone having an allergic reaction should be watched closely
for changes
Remember that allergy reactions are unpredictable
The way that your body reacts to an allergen one time cannot
predict how it will react the next time
Stay with the child and alert his or her parents or emergency
contacts
Symptoms can also worsen quickly, progressing to the life-
threatening condition anaphylaxis
Epinephrine is the only treatment for anaphylaxis!
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29. Epinephrine
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for life-threatening
allergic reactions
A delay in administering epinephrine can be life-threatening
Immediately call 911
After epinephrine is given emergency care is required
One dose of Epinephrine lasts approximately 20 minutes
A second dose may be needed
Only give a second dose if directed by the 911 operator or EMS
Give the used epinephrine (and the second unused dose if
available) to the EMS personnel
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32. For more information
Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)
https://www.foodallergy.org
Information and resources on food allergies
Posters
Videos
Be a PAL (support for children) program
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Caring for Children with Allergies, Anaphylaxis and Seizures (HCCI September 2018, revised for virtual training 05/01/2020)
Insert your name
Notes:
Child Care Nurse Consultants (CCNC) are available to train child care providers/staff on a child’s special needs care plan (action plan) and medications/treatments to be given.
Encourage participants to contact you for specific training on individual care/action plans
Encourage participants to take the 2-hour Medication Administration Skills Competency course for additional training on the administration of medications in child care.
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*All photos purchased and used with permission from istock. Photos are non-transferable and cannot be copied. Please do not copy and use photos in this presentation for personal or professional use. To purchase photos or for more information go to https://www.istockphoto.com
Notes: Allergies are among the most common chronic conditions worldwide. An allergic reaction begins in the immune system. Our immune system protects us from invading organisms that can cause illness. If you have an allergy, your immune system mistakes an otherwise harmless substance as an invader. This substance is called an allergen. The immune system overreacts to the allergen by producing Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These antibodies travel to cells that release histamine and other chemicals, causing an allergic reaction.
Source: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies
Notes: Allergy exposure can occur through touching or contact with the allergen, breathing in the allergen or through ingestion. Examples of environmental allergies are pollen, dust, mold, latex, pet dander. People can also be allergic to bee/wasp stings. Ingestion of certain foods and medications can also cause an allergic response.
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Answer d. all of the above
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Source: Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) https://www.foodallergy.org/common-allergens
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Notes: Food allergy is more common in children than adults. Often children will “outgrow food” allergies with age. However, food allergy can sometimes become a lifelong concern. According to the CDC the prevalence of food allergy may be increasing in the United States and in other countries. Food allergies can greatly affect children and their families’ well-being.
Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/foodallergies/
2.32 minutes This video is a production of FARE. The video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continu e=27&v=sMEvRVKOEc8
The following slides show what a provider might see when a child is having an allergic reaction. Point out and discuss what they might see.
Notes: Hives can start with a few red spots and can spread quickly
Notes: Precious time can be lost when adults do not immediately recognize that a reaction is happening or don’t understand what a child is telling them.
Signs of an allergic reaction in children, especially very young ones, can include:
Putting their hands in their mouths
Pulling or scratching at their tongues
Slurring their words
Their voices may change (e.g., become hoarse or squeaky)
Source: https://www.foodallergy.org/life-with-food-allergies/newly-diagnosed/how-a-child-might-describe-a-reaction
Notes: it’s important to act fast when you see a child with an allergic reaction. Three questions to ask yourself:
Is the allergic reaction mild?
Does the child have a diagnosed allergy?
Is there an Action Plan?
Notes: Children with a diagnosed allergy should have an “Action Plan”. It is important to ask the child’s parent to have the child’s doctor complete the action plan with specific instructions what to do and how to mange the child’s allergy while in your care. The Anaphylaxis Action Plan is for all types of allergic reaction (non-food). The Food Allergy Action Plan is specific for food allergies.
Notes: After viewing the video, participants should practice using an Epi Pen trainer and Auvi-Q trainer (if available)
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Notes: Time for questions. Remember, if the provider is caring for a child with an action plan and has specific training needs on medications/treatments, schedule a time to review that child’s action plan and for follow-up/additional training.