Mother pleads for parents to ensure nuts aren't accidently carried into school grounds

Leanne Cappello's eight-year-old, Zara, suffered the reaction triggered from an unknown source on her first day of Year 3 on Tuesday.

Ms Cappello said Zara is allergic to peanuts, pistachios and cashews, and that the frightening experience is a timely reminder for anyone entering the school grounds to ensure they are not inadvertently carrying traces of such products with them.

She said receiving the phone call that her daughter had suffered an attack was terrifying.

"We're still not entirely sure what happened, except that it was a contact reaction where she either touched something or something was transferred onto her hands and then she rubbed her eyes," Ms Cappello said.

"As a result, her eyes puffed up and became red and itchy.

"My guess is that another child might have had peanut butter for breakfast or otherwise, and accidentally carried traces into the school grounds.

"The school did a wonderful job acting promptly and followed all protocols correctly. I'm very grateful for that," she said.

It was the first time Zara had suffered a reaction at school and Ms Cappello hopes it will be the last.

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With many children suffering any number of allergies, Ms Cappello is urging parents, guardians, caregivers and students to think carefully about what they are packing for their lunches and bringing to school.

"Those who don't have a child with a peanut allergy sometimes don't realise how serious this is. This was a contact reaction - it could have come from anywhere. Yet it was still life threatening. People who are allergic react very differently when exposed to nuts and/or other products," Ms Cappello said.

"I personally love nut products but I only have them at work and I always have to be careful to ensure I don't have any on me when I go home.

"Zara's school have measures in place to ensure it doesn't happen, such as being equipped with things like Epipens and other medications which are quickly replaced when they come close to their expiry.

"But schools can only do so much. When it comes to people coming onto the grounds, it's out of their hands and that's why it's so important to raise this awareness and encourage people to think carefully. Especially with school having just resumed," Ms Cappello said.