Preventing Allergic Reactions at Daycare Centers in The Woodlands

The number of children diagnosed with food allergies is on the rise. Approximately two children in every classroom have food allergies, according to the nonprofit Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). And allergies can affect young, healthy kids. Several swim team members in The Woodlands, the Shenandoah Sharks, have been impacted by food allergies, so the team raised more than $6,000 for FARE at their annual fundraiser, per a Hello Woodlands article.

According to FARE, a startling 42% of children with food allergies have experienced a severe allergic reaction. Not only are severe reactions scary for a child, but they can become a life-or-death situation where every second counts. Given the growing prevalence of children with allergies, it is important for daycare centers in The Woodlands to proactively prevent allergic reactions in local children. Our daycare injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm share key information for parents in The Woodlands to keep little ones safe.

What Are the Top 5 Ways Daycare Centers in The Woodlands Can Prevent Allergic Reactions?

Prevention is always the safest and best approach for pediatric allergic reactions, especially at daycare centers in The Woodlands. Daycare laws, also known as minimum standards, recognize the rising number of children with allergies and define clear methods and procedures for local facilities to follow to keep children safe. Also, a child’s allergy can range from weak to severe, and a daycare center’s response after exposure to a known allergen can be critical for the child’s survival.

The top five ways daycare centers in The Woodlands can effectively prevent children from experiencing allergic reactions:  

1. Compile comprehensive allergy lists for each child by identifying the foods, chemicals, and other materials to avoid in the classroom, and post the list in a visible spot.
2. Create a food allergy emergency plan prepared by a child’s doctor.
3. Ensure all caregivers and staff at the daycare center in The Woodlands complete annual training to recognize signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction.
4. Prohibit the use of allergenic foods and products without parental consent. For example, banning students from bringing popular peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or trail mix to class is a common practice when a child in a classroom has a known nut or peanut allergy. In addition, teachers and caregivers in The Woodlands should properly label and store any potentially sensitive items in the class.
5. Verify all caregivers and staff members at the daycare center in The Woodlands are well-versed in administering an EpiPen, understand the administration of other medications, and know when to call 911 during a child’s severe allergic reaction.

Our daycare injury lawyers have helped a family hold a daycare center accountable after their child experienced a severe allergic reaction and the caregivers were not trained in how to respond or use a life-saving EpiPen.

What Are Common Child Allergens at Daycare Centers in The Woodlands?

The majority of allergens that cause children to experience severe reactions at daycare centers in The Woodlands include:

• Food: Kids are most allergic to eggs, milk, peanuts, sesame seeds, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
• Chemicals: Dyes, cleaning products, laundry detergents, and pesticides.
• Medications: Aspirin, insulin, penicillin, antibiotics used to treat infections that contain sulfonamides, and barbiturates that are commonly used to relieve anxiety and prevent seizures.
• Pollens and Grasses: Depending on the season, pollens and grasses can cause extreme irritation, especially in the nose, throat, and eyes.
• Synthetic materials: Latex, polyester, rayon, nylon, spandex, and rubber can provoke an allergic reaction.

How Can Daycare Centers in The Woodlands Safely Manage Allergy Medications?

As mentioned in the list above, environmental factors in cities in the Houston area, including The Woodlands, trigger seasonal allergies for many adults and children. Therefore, it’s important that daycare centers in The Woodlands provide proper training to all staff and caregivers ahead of peak allergy season, which runs from mid-February through June, according to an article in the Houston Chronicle.

Training should cover knowing how to administer medications to little ones who are excessively sneezing, sniffling with a runny nose, or have itchy eyes. The minimum standards allow caregivers in The Woodlands to administer medications intended to treat allergies like Claritin, Zyrtec, Benadryl, and other child-friendly over-the-counter or prescription decongestants with permission from a parent. Authorization must be in one of the following ways:

1. A handwritten authorization with a signature and date  
2. An electronic format, such as DocuSign or a PDF, that can be viewed and saved
3. Verbal consent over the phone, allowing daycare staff to provide a single dose of medication

However, the minimum standards make an exception in an emergency at the facility in The Woodlands, such as a child experiencing a severe allergic reaction. In those situations where mere seconds can mean the difference between life and death for a little one, prior authorization for essential medications like an EpiPen is not required.

Seeking Justice After Your Child Experiences an Allergic Reaction at a Daycare Center in The Woodlands?