Are you managing allergens correctly in your crèche?

What is an allergy?

An allergy is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to a substance that is foreign to the body. These substances are called allergens, and they are often proteins that occur naturally in nature or in food. An allergic reaction can show itself as a runny nose, itchy eyes or a skin rash.

There are many well-known types of allergies, such as house dust mites, pets or insect venom. Food allergies are another important category. The most common food allergens in children are: milk, egg, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustaceans (e.g. shrimp) and molluscs (e.g. mussels).

Symptoms of food allergies

Everyone reacts differently to allergies, but there are a few similar symptoms that can help you recognise an allergic reaction:

The most serious reaction is anaphylaxis. This reaction can develop very quickly into a life-threatening situation. If you notice the following symptoms, you should consider a possible anaphylactic reaction: a hoarse or wheezy voice combined with coughing, drooling or clutching the throat, unresponsiveness, fainting or turning blue. If you notice these symptoms, contact a doctor or the emergency services as quickly as possible. An anaphylactic reaction must be treated as quickly as possible by administering adrenaline.

Prevention is better than cure

It is always better to avoid an allergic reaction. You can do this by always checking food labels for the presence of allergens. It is essential not only to check whether the substance is listed among the ingredients on the label, but also to check whether the product may contain traces of the substance the child is allergic to. If in doubt, it is best not to give the product to the child, to avoid an allergic reaction.

Is a child with a food allergy present at your crèche? Then make sure everyone at the crèche is properly informed. A simple and clear way to do this is to display a photo of the child together with the allergens they are sensitive to. This warning can then be put up in the staff room and communicated to every member of staff. That way, everyone is aware and dangerous situations can be avoided.

AMNorman and allergens

AMNorman and Q-kids are experienced in dealing with allergens and the measures needed to prevent them. We offer various services to help ensure that your crèche is an environment free from allergic reaction risks.

The Q-kids manual is a straightforward manual for crèches, based on the self-control guide from Kind & Gezin. This clear, well-structured guide meets all the requirements of the FASFC.

We also offer various training courses focused on allergens, safety and hygiene in crèches.

Would you like a safe crèche free from allergic reaction risks? Sign up for our training courses now or order the manual.

Do you still have questions about allergens? Please do not hesitate to CONTACT our experts!