What’s Your Rule About Epi-Pens?

[littlemissmuffet]

I accepted a child into care and mom did not tell me until their first day that they have a peanut allergy and also an epi pen! Not happy about this.

We discussed the issue and kid is seeing an allergist and has had peanuts recently without an allergy issue. Mom says they have never used the pen and have not had any allergy issues/hives/etc for over a year (kid is 3) but that the doctor insists that they have an epi pen just in case. I have told mom that I do not guarantee a peanut free home and that I do not have any experience with epi pens.

Kid is not scheduled to come on a permanent basis for another week and half (finishing out the time in the current childcare arrangement).

What would you do?

I ALWAYS ask during an interview if a child has any allergies, special dietary needs, etc.
However, it was really irresponsible of this parent not to mention such an important aspect of this child's life to his future CARE PROVIDER!

I would have to term, I don't take children with serious/potentially fatal allergies.

[itlw8]

also it is my understanding if an epi pen is used the next step is call the amblance. so you need permission to do so and a statement saying the parents will pay for it The epi pen only gets you until you can get medical care.

[KDC]

I have a son with a minor peanut allergy. (on a scale of one to five, it was about a 1). As long as he doesn't eat peanut butter directly, or anything made with peanuts, he's pretty much fine. (made on same equipment or in same factory is just fine). I have other kids that eat peanut butter around him, and it doesn't bother him one bit. The severity of the allergy depends on each time it happens and the kid. So if they had one reaction and had just a few hives, benedryl probably took care of it... but that's not always the same for the second reaction and until it happens, you just don't know? I don't think the parents would intentionally hide it, if it's so minor --they probably just thought it's not a big deal, they're just used to it and it didn't occur to them to mention it earlier.

If it really does upset you, or you feel you can't handle it, I'd tell the parents right away to be fair to them. It would have been helpful for you to know earlier to help in the decision making process to determine if they were a good fit, some parents just don't see our side. Good luck!

[cheerfuldom]

I ALWAYS ask during an interview if a child has any allergies, special dietary needs, etc.
However, it was really irresponsible of this parent not to mention such an important aspect of this child's life to his future CARE PROVIDER!

I would have to term, I don't take children with serious/potentially fatal allergies.

I did ask if there was any special needs or medical concerns and was told no. The mom said she totally forgot about it till the morning of the first drop off because they have never used the pen and have not had any reaction issues for a year.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I love Epi Pens. You never know when you will need it. If the child is allergic to peanuts, the child is then potentially allergic to other foods items.

Store the Epi Pen out of reach of children because they can and will stab themselves with it if it is left around. I have heard horror stories.

Are you not required to take First Aid and CPR training? We were shown how to use an Epi Pen in First Aid class. They are extremely easy to use.

[cheerfuldom]

I love Epi Pens. You never know when you will need it. If the child is allergic to peanuts, the child is then potentially allergic to other foods items.

Store the Epi Pen out of reach of children because they can and will stab themselves with it if it is left around. I have heard horror stories.

Are you not required to take First Aid and CPR training? We were shown how to use an Epi Pen in First Aid class. They are extremely easy to use.

I am not required to do anything because I am unlicensed. However, I do take a First Aid CPR class and will be having a refresher course in the next few weeks. The last class I took was by the Red Cross but did not discuss epi-pens....which I guess was a huge miss on the teacher's part because I have now heard that it should be a regular part of first aid training.

[BumbleBee]

I am not required to do anything because I am unlicensed. However, I do take a First Aid CPR class and will be having a refresher course in the next few weeks. The last class I took was by the Red Cross but did not discuss epi-pens....which I guess was a huge miss on the teacher's part because I have now heard that it should be a regular part of first aid training.

This year was the first year that my first aid training included epi-pen use.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I am not required to do anything because I am unlicensed. However, I do take a First Aid CPR class and will be having a refresher course in the next few weeks. The last class I took was by the Red Cross but did not discuss epi-pens....which I guess was a huge miss on the teacher's part because I have now heard that it should be a regular part of first aid training.

Oh no! Well that is good you'll have a refresher course (whether you keep a child with a peanut allergy or not) that will include the EpiPen. happyface

[momma2girls]

There is a huge responsiblity on the daycare for this type or any allergy. I am a nurse and depending on the severity, I myself wouldn't want this responsiblity. There is so much out there now, even if you have any thing with nuts, or just plain peanut butter in your house. If someone comes into your home and ate peanut butter cereal, or anything nuts, that also can be very dangerous. I have peanut butter items in my cupboards, freezer, and cereal. If you have never dealt with peanut butter, and nut allergies, please be cautious!! There are labels on everything you will need to read. Many of them say made in peanut lines or peanut factories. Good luck!!

[Willow]

I did ask if there was any special needs or medical concerns and was told no. The mom said she totally forgot about it till the morning of the first drop off because they have never used the pen and have not had any reaction issues for a year.

That's bologna.

I don't think any mother with half a brain would merely "forget" a detail like that.


It reads intentional, and that wouldn't fly with me. I'd have sent them on their way the moment she finally chose to disclose it.



My son has had kids in his class with peanut allergies. My son couldn't even have peanut butter toast in the morning for breakfast because even arriving an hour later if they caught wind of his breath they'd have a reaction that would send them to the hospital. Trying to find just snacks for him to bring was nearly impossible, even things manufactured in a plant that may have been exposed to the dust were out, which is about everything shy of just plain old raw fruits and vegetables. Even those we had to be sure weren't stored next to anything that could have been a trigger food. Just forget trying to ever send him cold lunch from home....oy. The last two school years we've pretty much had to become peanut free in our own home just to keep them safe there.

I was sympathetic to the child but it was incredibly frustrating for our family.

If I were a parent of such a child I'd likely acquire a nanny for them to be sure the environment was kept safe and controlled as opposed to leaving such a potentially fatal affliction in the hands of someone who has far too many children to be worrying about if a speck of peanut or tree nut dust is floating through the air.

It's just too much to ask imho, and surely not one of those things one would or should ever just drop in a providers lap on the day care is to begin.

[WImom]

The parents should have a practice epi that you could borrow to practice. I have two DCK's with nut allergies here.

[momma2girls]

That's bologna.

I don't think any mother with half a brain would merely "forget" a detail like that.


It reads intentional, and that wouldn't fly with me. I'd have sent them on their way the moment she finally chose to disclose it.



My son has had kids in his class with peanut allergies. My son couldn't even have peanut butter toast in the morning for breakfast because even arriving an hour later if they caught wind of his breath they'd have a reaction that would send them to the hospital. Trying to find just snacks for him to bring was nearly impossible, even things manufactured in a plant that may have been exposed to the dust were out, which is about everything shy of just plain old raw fruits and vegetables. Even those we had to be sure weren't stored next to anything that could have been a trigger food. Just forget trying to ever send him cold lunch from home....oy. The last two school years we've pretty much had to become peanut free in our own home just to keep them safe there.

I was sympathetic to the child but it was incredibly frustrating for our family.

If I were a parent of such a child I'd likely acquire a nanny for them to be sure the environment was kept safe and controlled as opposed to leaving such a potentially fatal affliction in the hands of someone who has far too many children to be worrying about if a speck of peanut or tree nut dust is floating through the air.

It's just too much to ask imho, and surely not one of those things one would or should ever just drop in a providers lap on the day care is to begin.

I agree totally on this one!!

[momofsix]

I accepted a child into care and mom did not tell me until their first day that they have a peanut allergy and also an epi pen! Not happy about this.

We discussed the issue and kid is seeing an allergist and has had peanuts recently without an allergy issue. Mom says they have never used the pen and have not had any allergy issues/hives/etc for over a year (kid is 3) but that the doctor insists that they have an epi pen just in case. I have told mom that I do not guarantee a peanut free home and that I do not have any experience with epi pens.

Kid is not scheduled to come on a permanent basis for another week and half (finishing out the time in the current childcare arrangement).

What would you do?

It sounds like mom is working with an allergist, they are allowing him to be exposed to nuts, he hasn't reacted when exposed for at least a year. The epi-pen is really there for a "just in case". To me that's not a big deal. (it sounds like it's not a big deal to mom or the allergist) She can bring in their "practice" pen for you to show you how to do it...it's very simple to do.
I've had 3 kids in the last 5 years with nut allergies. They are not the type that can't even have it in their environment or they become deathly ill. They just get itchy throats and eyes, maybe a rash. I avoided nut products for all daycare meals and snacks just because it was easiest and it wasn't hard at all. I still read the labels before I buy things because sometimes a company will change things-but generally once you've got your menu down you're good. (I still have peanut butter etc. for my own family and it has never been a problem. )
Serious allergy...I would really be concerned, but this sounds like it was mild and he's growing out of it.

[cheerfuldom]

It sounds like mom is working with an allergist, they are allowing him to be exposed to nuts, he hasn't reacted when exposed for at least a year. The epi-pen is really there for a "just in case". To me that's not a big deal. (it sounds like it's not a big deal to mom or the allergist) She can bring in their "practice" pen for you to show you how to do it...it's very simple to do.
I've had 3 kids in the last 5 years with nut allergies. They are not the type that can't even have it in their environment or they become deathly ill. They just get itchy throats and eyes, maybe a rash. I avoided nut products for all daycare meals and snacks just because it was easiest and it wasn't hard at all. I still read the labels before I buy things because sometimes a company will change things-but generally once you've got your menu down you're good. (I still have peanut butter etc. for my own family and it has never been a problem. )
Serious allergy...I would really be concerned, but this sounds like it was mild and he's growing out of it.

yes I think this is more the case. Mom was not worried at all about my peanut plentiful house....did not ask or demand that we go peanut free. Said there have been no reactions for a solid year even when given peanut item and they have never used the pen. to me it sounds like an alarmist ped from something that happened a long time ago....but mom does have a checkup appt. already with the allergist. She knows that I am not making any special accommodation for this child and do not have any medical training outside of basic first aid. I have not had any other issues with this family regarding the interview or first day so I guess maybe I am naive but I am not seeing this as a red flag.....

but you all have given lots of feedback which I will surely be thinking over. I do know that I absolutely would not take a child with any severe allergy into care but I dont think that is the case here. The only other possibility is that mom is the best liar ever and willing to put her child in dangers way in order to get her into daycare....

[Unregistered]

I have already told mom that I will not be altering anything here in order to accommodate a peanut allergy, that is something that does not work for my program and is too much of a liability for me to promise that. I have 5 daycare kids total plus a very active household (family and friends over in the evenings and weekends) and I absolutely would never guarantee that I could keep a peanut free home. Kid eats breakfast and dinner at home, and is sent a sack lunch for daycare so mom provides food in that regard.

She said she understands that and considering the past year (no allergic reactions even when big sibling gave kid peanuts on accident), she is fine with the arrangement in my household.

I will have her sign a medical permission form/release regarding the epi pen use in case of emergency.

anything else I am missing?

You should term.

Despite you attempting to cover your liability bases you still have no education on caring for an allergic child.

Children die fom lack of education and training all the time.

If a child is in your care and you can't care for them properly in an emergency then you have no buisness caring for them at all.

Not your fault but stay with what you know or get educated.

Shame on mom for putting such a serious issue on you.