University life challenging for students with food allergies

A study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting found most US colleges don't have integrated systems in place to support food-allergic students.

While many colleges offer support for students with food allergy in the dining hall, the same support doesn't carry over to organised sports, dormitories or social events, leaving students scrambling to inform all the various departments of their needs, according to food allergy researcher Ruchi Gupta, MD, ACAAI member and lead author on the study.

The study found that while students don't want to be defined by their allergies, they value feeling safe, and are willing to work with school officials in education about allergies. Peers of food allergic students believe the stress caused by food allergies could be significantly reduced by creating and engaging a community of support through peer training, awareness and increased epinephrine access.

Also at the ACAAI meeting, allergist David Stukus, MD, and ACAAI Fellow, presented on how allergists can help safely transition a student with food allergies to college.

"Teenagers with food allergy are the age group at highest risk for life-threatening food allergy reactions. This is mostly due to not having their epinephrine with them at all times, but they also face social pressures that cause them to not speak up when dining with peers," he said.

"Effective self-management of food allergies requires an understanding of the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction," said Dr Stukus. "College students with food allergies must know how and when to use epinephrine auto-injectors, how to read labels and what to communicate to food handlers. They must also have epinephrine available at all times in case of accidental ingestion leading to a severe allergic reaction."

"Parents tell us they need to educate everyone, literally everyone — professors, other students, the librarian and the person putting food on your kid's plate," said Dr Gupta. "Giving a student support from peers, staff and the college itself is critical in providing a safe and positive environment."