Awareness of Students with Diverse Learning Needs,
What the Teacher Needs to Know, Volume 1

An allergy is an overreaction in the body to a usually harmless substance called an allergen. The most common allergens are pollen, dust, insect bites, moulds, fur and feather bearing pets and a variety of foods.

Allergens enter the body through the nose, eyelids, bronchial passages, digestive system or even the skin. Subsequently these allergens stimulate the body to produce allergic antibodies which prefer to coat certain cells in the lining of the respiratory tract, skin and the gastrointestinal tract. When one of the allergens again enters the body, the reunion of the allergen and the allergic antibodies stimulate these cells to release certain chemical mediators such as histamines which in turn cause the symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, hives, itchy eyes and wheezing that are associated with allergic reactions.

Recent studies show that one in every five school children has a major allergy. The tendency to become allergic is usually inherited, and will remain throughout the person's life. As children mature, they may outgrow certain sensitivities or the allergy may be controlled. With help from parents, physicians and school staff, the child will learn where the limits are to pursuing a normal lifestyle.

Allergies can be controlled and a child should not routinely display the symptoms and behaviours described below. If the child does, the teacher should talk with the parents about it. If the child is not allergic at home, look at the school environment. If the child is allergic at home as well as at school, the parent may wish to seek additional medical help.