Does your child with a food allergy or asthma have an action plan?

As children with allergies and asthma head off to school, you'll need to be thinking about their medical supplies in addition to their school supplies. It is also important that the school and your child know how and when to use these medications.

So how do you put together an action plan that covers daily management and emergencies?

Medications. For those with food allergies, make sure your child's medications and epinephrine autoinjectors are not expired and are ready to go. If possible, give the school medications that won't expire until after the school year ends. If your child won't have an epinephrine autoinjector on hand at all times, be sure there's one available in the school nurse's office, and any after-school locations. Label them with your child's name and your emergency contact information. Children who are prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector should also have a written allergy action plan for school. For a child with asthma, rescue medication may be needed at school in the case of a flare up.

Reaching out to the school. Explain your child's allergies to the classroom teacher and school nurse, and discuss how serious some allergic reactions can be. At the same time, make sure to be fair and reasonable (don't make demands that aren't necessary) to ensure a cooperative relationship. If you can, offer to help with celebrations so treats will be safe for your child. In the case of asthma, you could also provide a written action plan which lists triggers and what medications should be given depending on the severity of symptoms. In both cases, the school should know when to seek emergency care.

Keeping in contact. Don't hesitate to touch base with the teacher occasionally to see how things are going. Encourage your child's teacher and nurse to call you with questions about ways to make things safe and inclusive for your child. If there will be cooking going on, provide ideas, and possibly ingredients, to make safe foods. Consider providing bowls, spoons, and other supplies for your child to limit the risk of cross-contamination.

Talking to your child. No matter how cooperative the school and teacher are, the most important preparation you can do is with your child. With time and education, kids will be able to take more responsibility for their safety. Frequently review with children what they are allergic to and which foods can and can't be eaten. Remind your child to never accept food from someone else or eat something if its safety is unclear. This may mean only eating foods you packed from home or you have approved in advance. Teach children to wash their hands before and after eating, and after playing outside.

Review signs of an allergic reaction (rash, difficulty breathing, vomiting) and make sure your child knows to tell an adult when they're not feeling well. If your child is in charge of carrying their own epinephrine autoinjector, make sure he or she practices how to use it. Frequently review your child's allergy action plan with him or her. For a child with asthma, go over the action plan, how to avoid triggers, how to identify early symptoms of a flare-up, and how to treat them to prevent the flare-up from getting worse.

With these suggestions, your school and child should be equipped to manage his or her food allergy or asthma throughout the year.

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