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Community Corner

For kids with food allergies, Halloween can be especially frightening

By: John Zora, M.D., Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic

Kids love Halloween — the candy, costumes, haunted houses, pumpkin carving — and all the ghoulish fun that comes with it. But for kids with food allergies (1 in 13 nationally, approximately 15 million), it can be a tough holiday, creating a feeling of exclusion from the festivities and solitude from their friends. But that doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of ways to fully participate in, and safely enjoy, the holiday.

Year-round vigilance is required to avoid an allergic reaction from a food allergen, and it’s even more important on a day loaded with all types of candy that can have danger lurking just beneath the wrapper. Halloween candy can include the most common food allergy culprits — milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat — so advance preparation is necessary to keep your ghouls and goblins safe while they enjoy the fun.

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“Parents that have a child with a food allergy know to carefully inspect Halloween candy, but they may overlook other common holiday items that can cause allergy and asthma symptoms,” said allergist Stanley Fineman, MD, of Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic, and past-president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. “There are several steps parents should take to ensure their child remains healthy and symptom-free no matter the season.”

Here are a few tips for ensuring a safe Halloween:

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· Carefully read all the ingredients in a piece of candy before eating. Be aware that the mini-versions of a candy are sometimes prepared on different machinery and could have come in contact with nuts or other allergens. They can also have slightly different ingredients.

· Enforce a “no eating while trick-or-treating” rule so you have time to review all food labels.

· Carry your epinephrine auto-injector (Epi Pen or AuviQ) while trick-or-treating; also consider carrying handy wipes for your little Snow White’s hands.

· Give neighbors safe Halloween treats in advance to hand out to your food allergic child.

· Prepare a container filled with safe treats in advance, and then swap it for the treats collected.

· Plan an alternate activity, such as a party or scavenger hunt around the neighborhood for safe treats.

· Trade unsafe candy for allergen-safe treats or age-appropriate non-food items once your children return home. Non-food ideas include coloring books, storybooks, pencils, stickers, stuffed animals, toys, cash, and play dough.

Remember to focus on the FUN not the food.  Happy Halloween!

Dr. Zora practices at the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic Alpharetta office. For more information, visit www.AtlantaAllergy.com.

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