Halloween & Food Allergies

10/26/2022

For families whose children have Food Allergies, Halloween can be a time of fear, exclusion, and frustration. Parents can play an active role in protecting their children and other children on Halloween while still allowing them to take part in the festivities.

Here's how:

• If your child is contact allergic, create a costume of non-allergic materials to cover them up (including wearing gloves).
• If you're dropping your child off at a Halloween party...make sure the host knows about any allergy concerns (you may want to provide a written list of problem foods).
• Check all food labels. Halloween candy often contains common allergens like peanuts, tree nuts, milk and egg.
• Take a good look at the loot when you get home and remove any offending candy. And be particularly mindful of the minis, as they can occasionally contain different ingredients than a regular-sized candy.
• When trick-or-treating, carry your child's emergency medicines.
• Bring wipes to clean those little hands after every stop.
• Look for Teal Pumpkins. The Teal Pumpkin Project raises food allergy awareness by offering the option of non-food trinkets and toys in a separate bowl to make Halloween safer and more inclusive for all trick-or-treaters. Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep signals that, in addition to candy, you offer non-food trinkets and treats that are safe for all trick or treaters.

What to look for if you think your child may be having an allergic reaction:

• Hives (reddish, swollen, itchy areas on the skin)
• Eczema (a persistent dry, itchy rash)
• Redness of the skin or around the eyes
• Itchy mouth or ear canal
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Obstructive swelling of the lips, tongue, and/or throat
• Trouble swallowing
• Shortness of breath or wheezing

Get tested for environmental, skin and food allergies or learn more about controlling allergy symptoms from the expert Allergists/Immunologists of ENT and Allergy Associates. Our board-certified allergists / immunologists are physicians who are specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric and adult allergic diseases and immune deficiencies. Our allergists work hand-in-hand with our ENT specialists to provide patients with the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical care. Many of the common disorders that are treated by the ear, nose and throat specialist are complications of allergic disease. Our ENT and allergy physicians work together as a team to provide faster diagnosis and comprehensive treatment so that patients benefit from this close collaboration.