What to Do When Your Child is Glutened at School: 5-Step Plan

When your child is glutened at school, immediately assess symptoms, contact the school nurse, document the incident, provide comfort measures, and follow up with both school staff and your healthcare provider. Quick action can minimize discomfort and help prevent future accidents.

5-Step Immediate Action Plan

Step 1: Assess the Situation (First 10 minutes)

Check for Immediate Symptoms:

• Stomach pain or cramping
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache or fatigue
• Mood changes or irritability

Ask Key Questions:

• What did they eat and how much?
• When did they eat it?
• Are they feeling sick right now?
• Do they need to use the bathroom?

Stay Calm:

• Your child is watching your reaction
• Reassure them that accidents happen
• Focus on feeling better, not blame

Step 2: Contact School Staff (Immediately)

Call the School Nurse:

• Explain what happened and current symptoms
• Request they monitor your child
• Ask about their gluten exposure protocol
• Confirm they have emergency contact information

Notify the Teacher:

• Inform them about the incident
• Request extra bathroom breaks if needed
• Ask for understanding if your child seems tired or cranky
• Discuss modification of activities if necessary

Document Everything:

• Time of exposure
• Food item consumed
• Staff member who provided information
• Your child's immediate reaction

Step 3: Provide Immediate Comfort (Next 30 minutes)

Hydration is Key:

• Encourage small sips of water
• Avoid large amounts that might cause more nausea
• Electrolyte solutions if vomiting occurs

Comfort Measures:

• Apply gentle heat to stomach if cramping
• Encourage rest if possible
• Provide reassurance and emotional support
• Allow access to safe comfort foods if hungry

Monitor Symptoms:

• Watch for worsening conditions
• Note new symptoms that develop
• Be prepared to pick up child if needed

Step 4: Decide on Pickup (Within 1-2 hours)

Consider Picking Up If:

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Severe stomach pain
• Child requests to go home
• Symptoms interfere with learning
• Fever develops

Child Can Stay If:

• Mild symptoms that are manageable
• Child wants to remain at school
• Symptoms are improving
• School nurse is comfortable monitoring

Communication with School:

• Let them know your decision
• Provide clear instructions for symptom changes
• Confirm emergency contact availability

Step 5: Follow-Up Actions (Same day and beyond)

Medical Follow-Up:

• Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms are severe
• Document symptoms for medical records
• Discuss any new medications or treatments
• Schedule follow-up if symptoms persist

School Communication:

• Request a meeting to discuss the incident
• Review 504 plan if applicable
• Update emergency action plans
• Provide additional staff training if needed

Managing Symptoms at Home

Digestive Support

• Bland foods: rice, bananas, toast (gluten-free)
• Avoid dairy temporarily if lactose intolerant
• Small, frequent meals rather than large ones
• Probiotics to restore gut health

Emotional Support

• Validate their feelings about the incident
• Reassure them about their safety
• Discuss strategies to prevent future accidents
• Consider counseling if anxiety develops

Recovery Timeline

• Symptoms typically last 2-7 days
• Digestive symptoms usually resolve first
• Fatigue and mood issues may linger
• Complete healing can take weeks to months

Preventing Future Incidents

School Communication Improvements

Update Emergency Plans:

• Clear protocols for gluten exposure
• Staff training on recognizing symptoms
• Updated contact information
• Backup emergency contacts

Educational Materials:

• Provide fact sheets about celiac disease
• Share age-appropriate books for classmates
• Offer to speak to the class about gluten-free needs
• Create visual aids for food identification

Child Advocacy Training

Teach Your Child to:

• Always ask about ingredients before eating
• Politely decline unsafe foods
• Immediately tell an adult if they ate something questionable
• Recognize their body's warning signs

Role-Play Scenarios:

• Practice saying "I can't eat that" confidently
• Rehearse asking teachers for help
• Practice explaining celiac disease simply
• Build confidence in self-advocacy

Backup Plans

Always Have Ready:

• Safe snacks in classroom
• Emergency contact plan
• List of symptoms for staff
• Clear pickup procedures
• Alternative meal options

When to Seek Medical Attention

Call Your Doctor If:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Persistent vomiting (more than 24 hours)
• Signs of dehydration
• High fever (over 101°F)
• Blood in stool
• Extreme lethargy or confusion

Emergency Room If:

• Severe dehydration
• Uncontrollable vomiting
• Signs of severe allergic reaction
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe abdominal distension

Documentation for Future Reference

Keep Records Of:

• Date and time of exposure
• Specific food consumed
• Symptoms and duration
• Treatment provided
• School's response
• Recovery timeline

Use This Information To:

• Update medical records
• Improve school protocols
• Track symptom patterns
• Support insurance claims
• Educate new staff members

Building a Support Network

Connect With:

• Other parents of children with celiac disease
• School counselors for emotional support
• Healthcare team for medical guidance
• Local celiac disease support groups

Remember, accidents happen even with the best precautions. Focus on learning from each incident to improve safety measures while supporting your child's physical and emotional recovery. Your calm, prepared response helps your child develop confidence in managing their condition.