Pollen allergies

Spring can often be a trigger for pollen allergies.

Allergies caused by pollen are only one type of allergies that we may find ourselves managing and treating.

Approximately 18% suffer from some sort of pollen allergy.

A staggering 80% of those with Asthma also most likely suffering from a form of allergy as well.

This often makes their asthma hard to manage and control and why when there are large weather events there is the warning to stay indoors as pollen can trigger asthma attacks.

When we care for children it is important to be up to date with the latest research and information surrounding treatment, management and diagnosis of allergies.

Each child will be slightly different. When it comes to allergies it certainly is not a one size fits all approach.

It’s key to be aware that services maintain up to date policies, are readily available to and followed by all educators.

Whilst review of policies is ongoing, spring is a perfect reminder for a service to ensure that a review of policies for managing allergies and individual management plans have been conducted and updated.

It is important for services to have formulated and implemented an allergy policy.

This helps to reduce the risk of exposure to allergens as much as practicable.

First and foremost it is important to have a diagnosis as it is important to ascertain the triggers and then to manage or treat.

Treatment may mean medication to reduce the symptoms, although medication does not cure the allergy. Should a child attend the service and require medication a medication form need to be completed.

Medication (including prescription, non-prescription, over-the-counter and homeopathic medications) must not be administered to a child at a service without the authorization of a parent/guardian or person with the lawful authority to consent to the administration of medical attention to the child. Be aware that in the case of an anaphylaxis or asthma emergency, medication may be administered to a child without authorization following the direction of the child’s medical plan.

In this circumstance, the child’s parent/guardian and/or emergency services must be contacted as soon as possible (Regulation 94).

Medication must have the original pharmacist label that includes the pharmacists phone number, the child’s full name, name of the health care provider prescribing the medication, name and expiration date of the medication, the date it was prescribed or updated, and dosage, route, frequency, and any special instructions for its administration and/or storage. Over-the-counter (OTC) medication must have the child’s full name on the container, and the manufacturer’s original label with dosage, route, frequency, and any special instructions for administration and storage, and expiration date must be clearly visible.

Tips for reducing the hazards can include strategies such as:

• Upon enrollment and annually review with families any medical information on a child including allergies. Any medical information should be supported by documentation from a health professional (e.g. pediatrician).
• Meet with the family to discuss strategies to minimise the risks.
• All staff should receive training in identifying, managing and preventing allergic responses including recognize and respond to a mild, moderate or severe allergic reaction, including training in the use of adrenaline auto-injector devices every 1–2 years.
• There should be general preventative measures in place, with all staff aware of, regarding minimizing the hazards and risk of exposure to allergens. Each service will have their own implementation and management in relation to this and it is key to be aware of when you are starting at a new service.
• Service implementation of age-appropriate education of children with severe allergies and their peers such as washing hands before and after eating, not sharing food.

Should a child require a more consistent awareness of an allergy that has been diagnosed and has medical practitioner documentation a service requires an ASCIA Action Plan. This is a medical management document that is developed in collaboration with the child’s parents and prepared and signed by a medical practitioner. It includes the child’s name and photograph, confirmed allergies, symptoms of mild, moderate and severe reactions and clear instructions of action to take when an allergic reaction occurs.

There are plan templates to be completed by a medical practitioner depending on the allergy.

ASCIA Action Plan For Anaphylaxis For Use With Epipen® Adrenaline Auto-injectors (for people with severe allergies, includes instructions on how to give EpiPen®)

ASCIA Action Plan For Anaphylaxis For Use With Anapen® Adrenaline Auto-injectors (for people with severe allergies, includes instructions on how to give Anapen®).

These are medical documents that can only be completed and signed by the patient’s treating medical doctor and cannot be altered without their permission. The templates are available from http://www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/anaphylaxis-resources/ascia-action-plan-for-anaphylaxis As part of the process for the ASCIA Action Plan they must be placed in an area that can be easily and quickly accessed when an emergency response is required. This has at times raised the question in regard to privacy for the child and family as it contains personal information, therefore, always check (& document) with the family of the child/ren in relation to any potential concerns as to the location of the allergy action plans placement. Additionally, remember that a copy of an ASCIA Action Plan for anaphylaxis should also be kept with the EpiPen® or Anapen® at all times so that the plan is always at the scene of an emergency along with the medication.

We briefly discuss allergies (as we recommend if you require more information to always seek medical professional advice or in terms of regulations in child care ), more in relation to anaphylaxis and food allergies- https://www.seriouslykids.com.au/?s=allergy

Although the best source of information and up to date research, should you be looking for a more in-depth and from a medical professional body would be from https://www.allergy.org.au/