Allergy Awareness at Rising Stride

by | Oct 19, 2026 | Early Education

Did you know? 1 in 13 children in the U.S. has a life-threatening food allergy.

The most common food allergies are peanuts, tree nuts (i.e., walnuts, pecans, and almonds, including almond milk), milk, eggs, wheat, sesame, soy, fish, and shellfish. There is no cure.

A food allergy happens when the immune system mistakes something in the food as harmful and attacks it. It can affect the whole body, not just the stomach. A severe food allergy may be considered a disability if a medical professional diagnoses and documents the allergy to cause a reaction that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

The Power of Community to Improve Food Allergy Care

Food allergies aren’t managed in isolation — they’re shaped by where you live, access to allergy-friendly food, and the people around you. Preventing allergic reactions (such as anaphylaxis, a rapid and severe reaction) takes more than avoiding food allergens. It takes a community.

Your community of support includes everyone who influences your child’s health and well-being: family and friends, your health care team, school staff, local neighbors, advocates, and lawmakers. When that community shows up for your child, the difference is real. You can experience:

  • Easier food allergen identification and avoidance
  • Healthier, more inclusive spaces at home, school, and work
  • Access to more treatment options
  • Stronger protections and policies that improve quality of life

 

Raising Awareness

It was designated as such in 1884 by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to promote respiratory and immune health. This organization aims to educate the public about risk factors, symptoms, and treatment.

For children, the most common allergens are milk, followed by eggs and peanuts. The most important tip for parents who have children with diagnosed allergies is to always read the label of items purchased from the store. Product ingredients can change without notice, so never assume something is safe for you until you check. If in doubt, seek substitutions or alternatives.

Support at School

Our top priority is to keep children safe.

If a child has a food allergy or disability, a medical authority must state the specific ingredients or foods, along with alternate feeding instructions needed for the child. These restrictions are documented on ALLERGY AND DIETARY RESTRICTION LISTS at each school, which are displayed for staff schoolwide in a designated area that also protects confidential information.

As part of our child allergy procedure, the staff at each school should be reviewing each seasonal menu with the parents of students who have food allergies to determine what substitutions are needed. If you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to school leaders.

Want to learn more? Here are some additional resources to explore:

Asthma Signs and Symptoms

While it can be hard for parents to pick up on the signs that a child is suffering from asthma, it’s important to get in touch with your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns about a lingering cough or trouble breathing. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the signs and symptoms of allergies can include:

  • Coughing, especially at night
  • A wheezing or whistling sound, especially when breathing out
  • Trouble breathing or fast breathing that causes the skin around the ribs or neck to pull in tightly
  • Frequent colds that settle in the chest
  • Any of these become worse with irritants in the air (like smoke or strong smells or allergies like pollen, pet dander, or dust mites)

Asthma can usually be diagnosed with a medical exam. Get in touch with your pediatrician if your child is experiencing any of these signs or symptoms. There are many options for treatments to make breathing easier and to help control asthma symptoms for children.

Allergies in Children

While allergies do not cause asthma, allergies can make symptoms worse if a child already has asthma. Common allergens and irritants are pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold. These are known as hay fever, rhinitis, or nasal allergies Allergies can also be categorized as food allergies.

Food Allergies

Allergies are different from food sensitivities or intolerances. Children with food allergies have an immune response to certain proteins in foods. Food allergy symptoms can be more severe than the symptoms of food sensitivities or intolerances.

One of the possible effects of a food allergy is called anaphylaxis. This is a severe allergic reaction that affects the entire body. It can include a wide range of symptoms that appear quickly. The following symptoms may be signs of anaphylaxis especially if they appear suddenly after exposure to a possible allergen:

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Wheezing or coughing
  • Tightness in chest
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Tight feeling in throat
  • Swelling of the lips or tongue
  • Rash, redness, or hives and/or pale and bluish skin
  • Weak pulse
  • Sneezing
  • Stuffy or runny nose