Trick-or-Treat Food Allergy Safety - Medical Monday

Trick-or-Treat Food Allergy Safety – Medical Monday

Monday, October 26, 2009 5:47

Posted in category Kid's Health, Nutrition

If you’ve got a child with food allergies, holidays provide special challenges. Treats are abundant, and everyone and their uncle is handing them out to your child everywhere you go around Halloween. So, how do you keep your child with food allergies safe and happy for trick-or-treating?

Review the Rules

If they are old enough to understand, remind your child which foods are safe, and which are not. If there are candies or treats that they should be sure to avoid, discuss that. Tell them to bring their loot to you, so you can be sure to remove anything that might be harmful. Also let them know what to do if they do eat something that they might be allergic too. If there are older siblings, remind them of the rules as well.

Read Labels

When you check over your kid’s Halloween candy, remember to read labels. Formulations change pretty frequently, so you ehould even check things you should even check foods that have been safe in the past. Remove anything that doesn’t have an ingredient list.

Keep Your Epi-Pen or Allergy Medication Handy

Remember that accidents happen, and be prepared as usual with your child’s epi-pen, or whatever medication your doctor recommends for an allergic reaction. If your child does eat something they are allergic to, follow whatever instructions your doctor has given you for dealing with a reaction.

Keep Safe Treats on Hand

Keep some safe candy, treats or small toys on hand to replace anything you have to confiscate. Halloween and other upcoming holidays will be more fun if your child with food allergies doesn’t feel constantly left out! If you have the chance, you can even make up a few treat bags to drop with friends or neighbors, so you’ll know that at least a few people on your trick-or-treat route will have surprises that your child can keep and enjoy.