How to Tell If Your Child Has Allergies or Just a Cold
Allergies can start in childhood or adulthood. Fall allergy season is in full swing in September. Check out these strategies to tell if your child has a cold or if the problem is allergies.
Keeping Halloween Safe for Kids With Nut Allergies
It’s October, and Halloween’s around the corner. You want your little one to join in the fun, but your child has a nut allergy. You think of all of the brands of candy that contain nuts or were processed in a factory that contains nut items, and it seems endless.
Our board-certified allergists with Advanced Allergy & Asthma are your partners in helping to keep your child with food allergies safe. We understand and treat food allergies as well as environmental and other types of allergies.
With proper planning, your child can enjoy Halloween just as much as others, regardless of food and other allergies. The following are useful tips to help you navigate Halloween and other holidays.
Pack the EpiPen
If you have a young child, make sure you have the EpiPen with you and your child when you go trick or treating. If you have an older child, ask to see the EpiPen before they leave the house to make sure they have it with them.
The Teal Pumpkin Project
Are you aware of the national initiative to keep children with allergies safe during Halloween? The Teal Pumpkin Project encourages families to offer safe treats or non-food items to trick-or-treaters. These families have a teal rather than an orange pumpkin visible at their doorway or a sign on a door or window.
Start the effort in your neighborhood by using a teal pumpkin and asking your neighbors to do so. You can even purchase safe treats or non-food items in advance for your neighbors to give to your child, making it easier for those who live close to you.
Enlist the support of others
Make sure your child’s teachers, the school nurse, and administrators know about your child’s nut allergy and have it on record.
If you have a young child, you can decide which homes to visit with your little one at Halloween. Your friends can be ready with a safe treat or fun item for your little one. You can inform your friends beforehand which treats are nut-free so that they can have those available for your loved one.
Offer non-food items
Your child will no doubt get a lot of candy at Halloween. Start a trend in your area by offering non-food treats. There are countless options. Visit a dollar store and choose from fun bracelets, necklaces, glow-sticks, rings, pencils, balls — you name it.
Make sure your child understands and follows the no eating while trick-or-treating rule
Your older child goes out with friends on Halloween. Talk to your child and their friends before they start. Ensure that everyone in the group knows about your child’s allergy and that no matter what anyone else does, your child can’t eat candy on the route. Explain the same to your younger child who’s with you so they know what to expect.
Inspect your child’s trick-or-treat items
When your child gets home, the first thing they’ll do is dump out the contents of their bag. Explain to your child before they go trick-or-treating that sometimes companies don’t include enough information on the wrapper to determine if the item contains nuts, so you’ll need to check those items.
Following these tips helps ensure your loved one enjoys the Halloween holiday. For all your concerns about allergies or asthma, contact Advanced Allergy & Asthma or request an appointment through our online portal today.
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