Preparing patients with food allergy for college: Practical advice and resources

Background: Food allergy is a life-threatening chronic medical condition, with ∼8% of children currently affected. There is minimal research investigating the high-risk college population, who has been shown to engage in more frequent risk-taking behaviors, including carrying their emergency medication less than 50% of the time. It is therefore vital to summarize advice and resources for students beginning college. Methods: We performed a narrative literature review by searching PubMed using various search terms such as college, food allergy, and accommodation. Results: First, research has shown exceptionally low rates of students reporting their allergies; barriers to notification, including the lack of a common point of contact, should be addressed so that students can receive appropriate dining accommodations before arriving on campus. Second, when considering that 28% of students have an allergic reaction in the dining hall since starting college, it is imperative that they investigate what, if any, accommodations exist in their dining halls, e.g., allergy-free stations. Students can also consult dining staff to detail specific ingredients in dishes they are uncertain about. Third, nearly 40% of students did not consistently carry their emergency medication, so students should work with their physicians to create medication plans before arriving on campus. Fourth, students should identify stakeholders they can look to for support, including family and friends, their allergist, mental health professionals, or roommates. Students should reach out to roommates before moving in and let them know about dietary needs while educating them about signs and symptoms of reaction and how to use epinephrine devices. Conclusion: Although transitioning to college can be challenging for students with food allergies, both universities and students can take proactive measures to help ensure a safer and smoother experience.