Asthma & Allergies

Students with Asthma and/or Life Threatening Allergies require special written health care plans completed and signed by their health care provider and co-signed by their parent/legal guardian:

Asthma

Students with asthma require an Asthma Action Plan. The Asthma Action Plan helps to manage your child’s asthma. At school, the Asthma Action Plan tells school staff which medications to use to prevent and/or respond to asthma emergencies. Please note the following:

• This form must be completed by the child’s regular health care provider (doctor, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant).
• Entire form must be filled out, dated, signed and given to the school nurse along with needed medications and devices.
• The form is good for an entire school year.
• If appropriate for your child, he/she may self-carry and administer their own asthma medications at school if the School Medication Consent and Health Care Provider Order (bottom right of form) is completed and approved by your child’s health care provider and the school.

Life-Threatening Allergies

Life-threatening allergy management in school requires a team effort from the student, parent/guardian, healthcare provider, school nurse as well as school and transportation staff. As a result, the risk of severe allergy reactions in the school setting can be reduced, and a safer educational environment can be provided for students with life-threatening allergies.

Parents should provide age appropriate education to their child in the self management of his/her allergies. It is important that students take more responsibility for their food allergies as they grow older and are developmentally ready to accept responsibility. For example, students should learn to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction and notify school staff immediately if a reaction is suspected or they believe they may have come in contact with their allergen. Children should take as much responsibility as possible to prevent exposure to allergens, such as not trading or sharing food with others and washing their hands before and after eating.

Also, parents need to provide accurate emergency contact information and update as necessary and should notify the school nurse or designee of any change in your child’s allergy status or if any reaction occurs outside of school.

Students with life threatening allergies require the Life-Threatening Allergy Management Plan. The Life-Threatening Allergy Management Plan (LAMP) helps to manage your child’s life threatening allergic reactions. At school, the Life-Threatening Allergy Management Plan tells school staff what to do to prevent (such as avoiding the child’s allergens) and/or respond to life-threatening allergy emergencies. Please note the following:

• This form must be completed by the child’s regular health care provider (doctor, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant)
• The form must include your child’s up-to-date weight taken at the health care provider’s office to ensure correct medication amounts.
• The entire form must be filled out, dated, signed and given to the school nurse along with needed medications and devices.
• The form is good for an entire school year.
• If appropriate for your child, they may self-carry and administer their own medication if the Permission to Carry and/or Self-Administer Epinephrine, LAMP Form Pg.2 (VBCPS Health Forms) is completed and approved by your child’s health care provider and the school.

For more information, visit:

• http://www.foodallergy.org
• Food Allergy Support Group of Tidewater (FASGOT) http://www.fasgot.com/
• Epi-Pen https://www.epipen.com/en/about-epipen-and-generic/how-to-use-epipen

Frequently Asked Questions

Which form do I use if my child has both asthma and a life-threatening allergy?

Children with both asthma and life threatening allergies will require both forms.

Where can I get these forms?

Both forms can be obtained from your school nurse, or the Health Services webpage on vbschools.com.

How do I get my child’s health care provider to fill out these forms?

Your health care provider may suggest that these forms be completed during a visit to their office. Please allow sufficient time for your health care provider to complete these forms for your child.

My child needs medications for asthma and/or life-threatening allergies at school. What do I need to do?

Parents (or their adult designee) must bring all medications (i.e. Albuterol, Diphenhydramine and Epinephrine) to the school and given to the school nurse. All medications must be in original containers labeled clearly with their child’s identifying information by the pharmacy. Parents should also provide equipment labeled with their child’s identifying information to deliver certain medications, such as a spacer device/nebulizer. Medications should not be sent in with your child. Medications should also be brought to school prior to the start of the school year along with the completed form(s), but medications can be brought in at any time.

Do I also need the Request for Administration of Medication Form completed?

No. If your child has an Asthma Action Plan form and/or a LAMP form, they do not need an additional Request for Administration of Medication Form for asthma/life-threatening allergies related medications. However, if your child needs other medications for other conditions at school then that form must be completed

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If you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact your school nurse or the Health Services Office at 757.263.2025.