Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) by Christy Johnson & Kerri Johnson

 Be a PAL: Protect A Life™ From Food Allergies is an educational awareness program designed to help parents and educators teach students what food allergies are and how to help their friends who have food allergies.

 The PAL program teaches five simple steps kids can take to keep their classmates safe: 1. Food allergies are serious. Don’t make jokes about them. 2. Don’t share food with friends who have food allergies. 3. Wash your hands after eating. 4. Ask what your friends are allergic to, and help them avoid it. 5. If a friend who has food allergies becomes ill, get help immediately!

 Foods that most often cause an allergic reaction: Peanuts Tree Nuts Wheat Soy Milk Eggs Fish/Shellfish

 More than 3 million kids in the United States have food allergies.  1 in every 25 children have food allergies  There is no cure for food allergies  The only way to avoid an allergic reaction, called ANAPHYLAXIS, is to stay away from the food with the allergen.

 Anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. The most common causes of anaphylaxis are food, medication, insect stings, and latex.

 Tingling, itching, or metallic taste in the mouth  Hives  Difficulty breathing  Swelling and/or itching of the mouth and throat  Diarrhea  Vomiting  Cramps / Stomach Pain  Paleness (loss of color)  Loss of Consciousness (unable to respond)

 If you notice any of the signs & symptoms of an anaphylaxis (allergic reaction): ◦ CALL FOR HELP! ◦ Get another student to go get the nearest adult.

 Your friend has a food allergy. As you walk out of the cafeteria, your friend say he has a stomach ache. You ask him to play with you at recess, but your friend wants to lie down instead. He says he feels like something is stuck in his throat.

 Get an adult right away!  Tell the adult your friend might be having an allergic reaction.

 In your class at school, you have a friend allergic to peanuts and a friend allergic to milk. Before school you ate peanut butter toast and drank a glass of milk.

 Wash their hands and face before leaving for school.

 A PAL Hero is someone whose actions help prevent a serious allergic reaction, or even save a life.  Just by looking out for our friends who have food allergies makes you a hero!

 REMEMBER…  If a friend who has food allergies is showing and signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, tell an adult immediately!  Tell the adult the student may be having an allergic reaction. Your quickness can help save a life!!

For more information about food allergies, contact: The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network Lee Jackson Hwy., Suite 160 Fairfax, VA Phone: (800) Fax: (703) Web site: