Educational program for children with peanut allergy.

Abstract

The best approach to managing peanut allergy is to educate patient and family. We developed specific consultation for children with peanut allergy. We follow a structurized program in a pedagogical manner. The objectives of this program are to encourage appropriate understanding, recognition of the signs of allergy, and if it is necessary, to teach how to inject oneself with an epinephrine injection. The aim of these sessions is to improve knowledge on basic allergy, recognition of hidden foods, on reading labelling, on recognition of earliest signs and finally on use of epinephrine as a rescue treatment. Behaviour in restaurant and most of all at school is also precised. The interview began with the parents and children, followed by discussions and pedagogical games. Our subjects experiences, described below, suggest that these educational programs are beneficial. As the others chronic pathologies, patients with this program seem to have less allergic reactions, and are able to respond with the appropriate behaviour when symptoms appear. Three months later, we conduct the efficiency of the treaning.