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Allergies and intolerances

Fish Allergy - starting school

6 replies

cheeseandjam · 30/06/2014 21:20

DD is due to start school in September and has a severe allergy to white fish. We have discovered that even the smell of fish is enough to start a reaction so I am nervous about her eating in a hall where every Friday they serve fish and chips. I mentioned it to her new teacher and she suggested that I sat with her on her first Friday to see if she reacts. This to me doesn't sound enough as I will be fretting that she will be sitting next to lots of people that will be eating fish. Can I take her home for lunch on this day? Anyone else done this?

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SarahS12345 · 01/07/2014 21:23

Sounds really stressful for you. And the school response does sound inadequate. Could they arrange a fish free table for children not having fish and chips? Or for her to eat a packed lunch somewhere else? Sad for your dd to not be with the other children but better than her risking a reaction?

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babybarrister · 01/07/2014 22:32

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cheeseandjam · 09/07/2014 20:48

Thanks for replies. Still very stressed as the head master thinks it would be good to try it out and see how she goes. As the smell in the supermarket sets off I am really scared of this suck it and see idea. Do you think I can insist that she goes home for lunch on a friday?

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Waltonswatcher · 11/07/2014 13:44

I think you can insist on whatever makes you and her comfortable .
The Head sounds doubtful , perhaps this is new for the school and allergies are an oddity for them currently.

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greenbananas · 12/07/2014 00:41

Of course you can insist she goes home on a Friday! If she is at serious risk of a reaction, then you can certainly demand that she is not exposed to this risk. Does she have an allergy specialist who could help by talking or writing to the school?

However, she may be able to stay in school. It is perhaps worth checking this out. Sitting with her (near the door) on a Friday lunchtime may not be a bad idea. If she does start to react at all, then the school are likely to take you seriously once they have seen this - but she may be okay in a big lunch hall which is well ventilated.

Ds1 has multiple food allergies, and we are lucky that his school take this very seriously. He is in reception. I had to bring him home for lunch until Christmas last year, while the teachers and support staff trained all the other children to have their hands wiped after lunch, and to wear cover-all aprons so that they didn't get smeared with yogurt and banana etc. Now that ds is allowed to stay in school for lunch, he has a support worker who sits next to him during lunch times.

One of his good friends in reception has a severe fish allergy. The friend's mum is Bangladeshi, and fish would be a main part of their family diet except that her little ds reacts to even the smell of her cooking fish in their home. This boy has never had a reaction in school, even on fish Friday, perhaps because the dinner hall is so big. However, she has never pushed for proper diagnosis and support, so he does't get the same level of support as my ds.

I wish you much luck with this. Don't be afraid to keep nagging the school, and I do think that calling the anaphylaxis campaign is s very good idea.

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Thumbwitch · 12/07/2014 01:09

I love it when people with no personal experience of allergies suggest you try it and see!

DS2 may have a shellfish allergy, we're still waiting for the appointment to check - when DH heard, his first reaction was "let's give him a prawn and see what happens" - er no, fuck off! He went from being sick the first time to being covered in big wheal and flare reactions the second time.

My Grandad had a shellfish allergy. I phoned a company that made glucosamine with chondroitin (from shellfish) and asked them if it was suitable for people with shellfish allergies - their customer service bod said "he could try them and see if he reacts" - brilliant advice, NOT.

However. Both these ignorant suggestions have involved actual ingestion of the dodgy substance.
Have you checked out the school hall where they eat? is there a part she could sit in that would be far enough away from the others without looking like she was completely segregated? although yes, she would still have to sit away from any child eating fish. I can sort of see why they want you to give it a go, because if she doesn't react then it's "problem solved"; but if she does react, wtf plan will they have in place for her? I think you should have an in-depth discussion with them about their allergy action plan for her. And if you're not happy with it then take her home for lunch on Fish Days (is it only ever on friday or might they randomly shove a fish day on another day as well?)

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