Navigating Halloween When Your Child Has Allergies
Being a parent of a child with allergies can be taxing, and holidays like Halloween can make navigating and avoiding allergens even more stressful.
There are so many festive events, such as Halloween parties in the classroom, both at school and then in extracurricular activities and after-school sports. When you combine them with the inevitable candy that comes from trick-or-treating, helping your child avoid their allergens can start to feel like a Herculean task.
With Halloween quickly approaching, the pressure to create a fun and memorable day for your child while staying safe and healthy can be daunting. However, with a little planning it is possible. As with many things in parenting, preparation is key.
We sat down Dr. Tania Elliotta board-certified allergist and immunologist, and mother of four, to learn how to best approach Halloween and trick-or-treating if your child has allergies.
Read on for tips on trick-or-treating safely, how to ensure your kids’ treats are free of allergens, being prepared for allergic reactions, and more.
Psst… These are the best places to trick or treat on Long Island this year!
What are the most common food allergies parents should keep in mind on Halloween?
The most common food allergens around Halloween are peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy and sesame.
What steps can parents take to ensure Halloween treats are safe for their children to eat?
Read the labels carefully before your child eats anything. You can also check sources like FAREs (Food Allergy Research and Education) website and apps such as Spokin. It’s safest to avoid homemade treats if there isn’t an ingredient label you can check.
For kids with severe allergies, things like classroom parties and other Halloween fun can be difficult if they can’t eat what other kids are eating. How can parents deal with this?
Food allergies can definitely make Halloween even scarier than usual.
Talk to the school in advance to make sure everyone is aware of your child’s allergies. Make sure their teachers and other school staff are trained to recognize symptoms and signs of anaphylaxis how to use an EpiPen.
Make sure there is an EpiPen for your child at school. If you can, offer to provide the Halloween treats yourself for the entire class to ensure they are absolutely allergy-free.
How can parents safely introduce new sweets to young children?
As long as the food doesn’t contain something they are allergic to, there is no reason to be afraid. Delaying the introduction of foods can even lead to the development of more food allergies.
For example, this is why it is recommended to introduce peanuts at 4 to 6 months of age, rather than waiting until 2 years of age. Aside from allergies, the biggest safety risk with candy for all children is the choking hazard. So make sure you avoid small candies that are the size of a grape or smaller.
If an allergic reaction were to occur during Halloween festivities, what should parents do? How can they prepare in advance?
Keep an EpiPen on hand at all Halloween events your child attends. Make sure it is not expired and that you know how to use it. Create an action plan for anaphylaxis This explains what you should do if your child has an allergic reaction. Make sure all supervising adults have a copy.
Psst… Are you ready to make this Halloween the best one yet? View our all-inclusive Halloween guide! From 10 last-minute costumes and local shops to pet parades and the best places to trick or treat in New York City, we’ve got you covered!
Kaitlyn Riggio