The “trick or treat” season is coming and there is nothing more exciting for children than donning a unique costume and going around the neighborhood with other kids in scary, fantastic, or funny outfits.
The spooky Halloween season is a time for kids to have fun and be frightened at the same time. But if you are a parent of a kid with food allergies, there is a different to be scared.
Halloween is a high-risk festivity for children with mild or severe allergic reactions to food. If there are kids all around, there will also be candies and treats. And you cannot be sure that the neighbors’ bags of sweets are allergen-free. Most sweets and chews are loaded with peanuts, tree nuts, milk, soy, wheat, and other allergy triggers. According to the Canadian government, around 6% of children suffer from allergies. That’s also approximately 6% of the adult population worrying about what allergen bombs are there on their kids’ treats.
But just because your child has food allergies doesn’t mean that your child should skip all the fun. You can do protect your child against anaphylactic reactions while letting him enjoy this special time with friends. Here are five tips:
1. Talk to your child. Call it the “special Halloween plan”.
Days before the trick or treat activity establish the rule that he will only be allowed to go join if he promises to wait until he gets home before tasting any of the candies. By this time, your child has already understood the effect of some food of ingredients – that he can get rashes, itches, and can have difficulty breathing if he is not careful. Sit down with your kid and let him understand the importance of the rule and also emphasize the despite having allergies, he can still enjoy the holiday with his friends if he follows the special Halloween plan.
2. Pack some homemade treats for your child.
Of course, it will be difficult to keep an eye on your kid while he is on the streets. Sometimes, he can get hungry or be tempted to eat some of the sweets because other kids are doing it too. Instead of solely relying on your child’s ability to resist the temptation to eat sweets, prepare him before you send him out to the candy-filled battle field. Pack homemade treats for your child or candies that you are sure are allergen-free. Tell him that the neighbor’s sweets go in his pail and his safe treats are inside his pocket or small sling bag.
3. Let your kid carry an epi-pen.
The thing with allergic reactions is that they happen fast. In cases of emergency, it is never a mistake to be extra prepared. Let your child carry two EpiPens in his bag. If your child is old enough, teach him how to use it. If an adult or an older teenager is accompanying the group of children your kid is part of, make sure that he or she knows how to see the symptoms of allergic reactions in your kid. You can also train your child’s older companion to administer the epinephrine shots. Carrying two EpiPens will also make a difference, just in case the first dose is not enough to stop the anaphylaxis or if the first injection malfunctions.
4. Carefully choose your child’s costume.
Dress your child in creative costume that will make it easier for others to spot the first signs of allergies. Where do your child’s allergic reactions occur first? Common allergic reactions will usually manifest on the face and mouth area. Sometimes the rashes can appear on the arms and body. Your child will usually notice if he feels itches. A batman costume is okay since the mouth and neck area are still exposed for everyone to see. A spiderman costume, on the other hand, is a hard pass because it covers everything from head to toe. For your child to enjoy his costume, let him list 5 kinds of outfits that he wants to wear on Halloween. From his list, carefully choose your child’s Halloween outfit.
5. Sort the treats with your child.
So your kid has successfully returned with a pail full of sweet stuff. He faithfully went with the special Halloween plan and ate one homemade candy you packed for him along the way. What remains now is sorting the pile of candies. You can do this the next day, since a night of roaming around the neighborhood is sure to exhaust a child. But whenever you choose to check the goodies, make sure your kid is there. This is crucial so that he will be familiar with the candies he is allergic. You can also let him help out and teach him how to read the labels of the treats. It’s a good parent-child bonding time.
With these simple tips, you can ensure your child’s safety while letting the kid enjoy the Halloween holiday.If you do not have a doctor for your child’s allergies yet, consider getting one. Call an online doctor Ontario for possible treatment and management of your child’s food allergies.