ALLERGIES

OBJECTIVES

• The Participant will be able to– Describe common signs of allergic reaction– Recognize common causes and aggravating

factors in allergic reactions– Effectively implement Allergy Action Plan and

Individual Care Plan

Topics:

• Allergic reaction defined

• Causes of allergic reactions

• Aggravating factors in allergies

• Signs & symptoms of allergic reactions

• Managing allergies in child care

• Strategies for treating allergies including anaphylaxis.

An allergic reaction is an abnormal immune response to a substance that does not generally

cause a reaction in most people.

ALLERGIES

Symptoms of Allergies can be…

• Mild

• Moderate

• Severe

INGESTANTS: substances that enter the body by mouth

INHALANTS: the allergen is breathed in through the nose or mouth

CONTACT ALLERGIES: enter the body through the skin

CAUSES OF ALLERGIES

INJECTED: enter the body through puncture

FOOD

Milk

Wheat

Soy

Eggs

Fish & Shell Fish

Peanuts & Tree nuts

INGESTANTS

DRUGSINGESTANTS

PenicillinSulfaBarbituratesAnticonvulsants

INJECTED

Vaccines

Insulin

Antibiotics

Insect Stings

INHALANTS• Pollens• House dust mites• Molds• Animal dander and

saliva• Chemicals used in

industry

House Dust Mite

Contact Allergies

• An allergic skin reaction from contact with a substance that is usually harmless to others.– Metals– Skin care products– Medication– Latex

Weather Changes

Heat

Cold Infection

Second hand smoke

AGGRAVATING FACTORS

Conditions Aggravated by ALLERGIES

• Asthma

• Hay Fever

• Eczema

• Hives

• Contact Dermatitis

Avoidance

Medication

Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)

TREATMENT

Control of environment

Managing Allergies in Child Care

• Policy Considerations

• Individualized Health Care Plan

• Allergy Action Plan

ANAPHYLAXIS

Life Threatening Allergic Reaction

Anaphylaxis …test your knowledgeTruth? Or Myth

1.Anaphylaxis is Rare

2.The cause of anaphylaxis is always obvious

3.Anaphylaxis is always accompanied by hives

4.Anaphylaxis will subside in 1-2 hours

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

What You Should Do…

Anaphylaxis

Requirements for using Emergency Injectable medication

• Parent permission

• Physician written authorization,

• An individualized written health care plan

• One-on-one specialized training from the parent and/or health care provider

• Medication available during field trips

TREATMENTAnaphylaxis

Resources

• American Lung Association61 Broadway, 6th FloorNew York, NY 100061-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872)www.lungusa.org

• Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America1233 20th Street, NW, Suite 402Washington, DC 200361-800-7-ASTHMA (1-800-727-8462) or 202-466-7643www.aafa.org

• The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network11781 Lee Jackson Highway, Suite 160Fairfax, VA 22033-33091-800-929-4040www.foodallergy.org

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology555 East Wells Street, Suite 1100Milwaukee, WI 53202-38231-800-822-2762 or 414-272-6071www.aaaai.org

• Centers for Disease Control and PreventionNational Center for Environmental Health1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or 404-639-3534www.cdc.gov/nceh

• Medication Administration: An Instructional Program for Training

Unlicensed Personnel to Give Medications in Out-of-Home Child Care in Ohio Student Manual