Halloween & Food Allergies
Ghosts, vampires and zombies aren’t the only aspects of Halloween that are scary. For parents of children who suffer from food allergies, trick-or-treating is an intimidating concept. Often, kids don’t know the ingredients in candies before they consume them, putting them at risk for an allergic reaction. This is especially scary because candy companies are not required to put a “may contain” section on their individual candy wrappers. If your child suffers from a severe food allergy, taking extra precautions on Halloween is necessary to ensure their safety. Here are a few things you can do this Halloween to protect your child without taking away any fun:
Be on the lookout for teal pumpkins. The Teal Pumpkin Project was developed by the Food Allergy Research & Education Administration to raise food allergy awareness this Halloween. If you see a teal pumpkin sitting on the porch of any house, it means that that home is providing allergy-free goodies this Halloween. This project is providing relief for parents everywhere who want their child to be safe without the disappointment of avoiding treats altogether! If you’d like to join the awareness movement, all you have to do is place a teal pumpkin in your yard or on your porch, and pass out allergy-free treats this Halloween.
Pre-plan your route. Although it may be time consuming, pre-planning your Halloween trick or treat route and giving your neighbors allergy-free treats for your child will protect them without limiting their fun! Just call up your neighbors, let them know what your child will be wearing, and drop off the treats ahead of time. This way, your child won’t feel like they are missing out on the joy of going door-to-door.
Start a new family tradition. If trick-or-treating has to be out of the question entirely, starting a fun new family tradition with the kids will still be a fun way to participate in Halloween activities. Create a fun scavenger hunt around town or in the backyard, and hide delicious homemade allergy-free treats that they will be excited to find. Creating this new family tradition will distract the kids from feeling a need to participate in trick-or-treating that could put them at risk.
Always have your Epi-Pen. Whether you’re going door-to-door, going to a fall festival, or participating in Halloween activities, it’s vitally important to take your Epi-pen with you everywhere you go. Even if your child’s allergy isn’t as severe as some, carrying this pen with you in case of emergencies could potentially save your child’s life. Being prepared is always better!
At Covenant Allergy and Asthma Care, we want your child to participate in the Halloween fun, while also staying safe. Adhere to these precautions, and you’ll have a safe and fun holiday with your child! For all of your Allergy needs, contact Dr. Raschal. Have a wonderful weekend!