Asthma/AllergyChildrenInfants

Food-allergic children at Halloween

halloweenThe American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology offers tips for creating a safe Halloween for food-allergic children.

Highlights

  • Don’t allow your child to trick-or-treat alone.
  • Verify that adults or friends understand food allergies and what to do in an emergency.
  • Have your child carry emergency medication on Halloween night.
  • Before Halloween, distribute safe snacks to neighbors to give to your child.
  • Eat dinner before trick-or-treating to reduce urges to sneak a treat.
  • Trick-or-treat candies may have different ingredients the same brands in regular size.
  • Carefully check all treats’ ingredients. If in doubt about ingredients, throw the candy away.
  • Work with your child’s teacher to plan a school party involving non-food treats, such as stickers or novelty erasers.
  • Host a party that focuses on costumes, pumpkin carving, games and other Halloween-themed fun.

Medical News Today also makes recommendations.

10/24/09 21:02 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.