Avoid Halloween Horrors

For the three million children with food allergies, Halloween spooks are not limited to vampires and witches. Candies containing peanuts or chocolate can be just as frightening.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) offers a checklist for parents to help navigate the dangers of trick-or-treating with food allergies. The checklist is available for free download at www.aaaai.org.

According to the AAAAI, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, and soy are the most common food allergies to affect children. Any or all of these ingredients can be found in candy bars and other sweet snacks. A single bite of these foods can cause a life threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis in some children.

All it takes is just a little preparation and creativity to plan Halloween festivities that are fun and safe for children. Tips offered in the AAAAI checklist include:
• Accompany younger children as they trick-or-treat, or be sure they are supervised by a responsible adult who knows how to handle an emergency allergic reaction.
• Insist that older children trick-or-treat with friends who are aware of the food allergies and can assist in an emergency.
• Be sure your child carries an emergency medication, such as epinephrine auto-injector.
• Before Halloween, distribute safe snacks to neighbors and request that they are handed to your child.
• Work with your child’s teacher to plan a school party involving non-food treats, such as stickers
or novelty erasers. Or, pack treats from home that other students can give to your child.
• Consider participating in a charity trick-or-treat event to raise money for a good cause, rather than collect candy.
• Visit the AAAAI web site, www.aaaai.org to download a complete checklist and access other food allergy resources.