The Tricks to Treats

An all-ages guide to ensuring that food-allergic ghosts and goblins have a spookily great Halloween.

1. Have a nice dinner first. On a full stomach, there will be less temptation to sneak a piece of candy.

2. Stash a few pieces of safe candy (Tootsie Rolls are peanut-, nut- and gluten-free) in your pocket. When the other kids inevitably indulge along their route, your child will have something safe to enjoy and won't feel left out.

3.Keep the essentials with you. Don't leave home without a cell phone, flashlight, wet wipes and, of course, the epinephrine auto-injector and an emergency dose of Benadryl (diphenhydramine) in a chewable, liquid, or meltaway form in case of accidental ingestion of a food allergen.

4. Consider supplying a few neighbors with pre-filled sealed treat bags. When your child rings the doorbell, the neighbor can pass out the safe loot and you'll be certain that he'll get to keep some of what he has collected.

5. Choose costumes with gloves if your child is extrememly contact-sensitive.

6. At home, pass out low-cost toys or trinkets.

Different approaches may need to be used for different ages:

0-2 year-olds: It's a treat just to answer the door and pass out trinkets.

2-4 year-olds: Make sure your child knows that all candy should be checked for safety by a parent. We prefer that even young kids be trained from the start to not dive into the goodies before they are checked (not only for allergy reasons but to make sure they are sealed, wrapped candies that have not been tampered with).

5-8 year-olds: Use the "Trade Up" tactic. Buy a variety of safe candy, as well as a few inexpensive toys. When your child returns home from trick-or-treating, trade unsafe candy for safe candy, toys and trinkets.

8 and up: Cash is king at this age. Trade their unsafe candy for nickels, times, quarters or even dollars. Some kids might be more excited by a larger-ticket item, like a doll or game that can be traded for an entire bag of candy.

Siblings: Offer to trade siblings' candy too or consider saving a stash in a safe place and promise to take your non-allergic child on a "peanut date" where they can indulge in the forbidden candy without endangering their brother or sister.

Source: Allergic Living, Fall 2011

Don't Scare Up Other Allergies On Halloween Night

Halloween can be a frightening time for those with allergies. And it's not just peanuts in candy that put trick-or-treaters in danger.

Allergy--and asthma triggers--may be lurking among your Halloween goodies and decorations, warns the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

"When people think of Halloween-associated allergies, they focus on candy and often overlook many other potential triggers," said Myron Zitt, M.D., former ACAAI president in a released statement. "By planning ahead, you can ensure not only safe treats, but also safe costumes, makeup, accessories and decorations."

To keep your gasps of horror from turning into gasps for breath or spine-tingling scares into skin-itching nightmares, look out for these other six potential culprits, says the ACAAI:

Ghastly gelatin -- The gelatin found in gummy bears or other candies might be a potential, though less common, allergy trigger.

Nightmarish nickel accessories -- Watch out for nickel in costume accessories, such as tiaras, magic wands, cowboy belts and pirate swords. One of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, nickel can cause some to break out into an itchy rash.

Cobwebbed costumes -- If you are reusing an old costume, wash it first. Halloween costumes packed away since last year can harbor dust mites, which trigger asthma and allergies.

Menacing makeup -- Cheap Halloween makeup may include preservatives that can cause allergic reactions. Opt for high quality theater makeup instead. It might take a few days for an allergic reaction, such as a rash or swelling, to appear. Test the makeup on a small area of skin before the big candy-grabbing eve.

Frightful fog -- Fog, real or man-made, can trigger asthma in some.

Perilous pumpkins -- Pumpkin allergies, though rare, can cause everything from itching to chest tightness and can happen suddenly, even if you haven't had a problem before. Pumpkin picking might trigger allergy and asthma for some, as pumpkin patches are often moldy and dusty. Consider buying a pumpkin from a grocery or discount store. (Or wash your pumpkin at the farm before bringing it home.)

By keeping these things in mind, your Halloween will be fearsome for all the right reasons.

Have A Safe (and Spooky) Halloween

Halloween is a challenge for many parents of children with food allergies. With all the candies being distrubted it is a time that we all need to be extra careful to avoid an allergic reaction.

Here are some tips to help keep everyone safe and still have a good time:

-Keep the emphasis on the fun, rather than the candy.

-Check with your child's teacher to ensure that you are made aware of any food-related celebrations taking place at school.

-Stock up on safe treats and inexpensive trinkets to trade for any "forbidden" candies that your child might collect.

-Start a tradition by allowing kids to leave their unsafe candies out for the "Good Witch" to collect and leave behind small gifts and safe treats.

-Make it a rule that no candies will be consumed while your child is trick-or-treating. If possible, talk to your child's friends in advance about not encouraging him or her to eat any candies collected until a trusted adult checks the ingredient label.

-Consider makingsmall and safe "goody bags" for neighbors to give to your child. Deliver the bags in advance and describe your child's costume to your neighbors. Encourage your child to trick-or-treat at the houses in which you've delivered the bags.

-Forgo trick-or-treating, and have a Halloween party instead, featuring safe and delicious treats.

-Remember that a candy that has been safe for your child in the past may now have different ingredients. Read the label, every time.

- Avoid candies with a precautionary statement (ie, "May Contain") if your child's allergen is listed.

We wish you a happy and safe Halloween!

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network 2011. Having a Spooky- and Safe - Halloween

Helpful Hints for Safe Trick-or-Treating

From the community

Trick or Treat? Food Allergies and Halloween Candy

By Victoria Gestner Oct. 6 at 2:01 p.m.

Candy – commonly a big part of Halloween – can be a challenge for those with food allergies. But just because you have a food allergy doesn’t mean you can’t partake in the fun this month.

If you have food allergies, you simply need to exercise caution and make different choices when celebrating the holiday. Several of the most-common food allergens – milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts (almonds, cashews and walnuts) – are found in beloved Halloween candies. The FDA requires food manufacturers to include these allergens on food packages, but it’s really our responsibility to take action and avoid risks as well.

Here are some helpful tips from Midwest ENT Consultants, to help keep children safe when it comes to Trick-or-Treat time!

- Since peanut allergies are on the rise with children (these allergies have nearly doubled in the last 10 years), stray away from candy that contains peanuts, has traces of peanuts or has been processed in a facility with peanut products.
- Depending on the particular allergy, some safe candy options could include Smarties, gum, mints, hard candy, Tootsie Rolls or jelly beans.
- Consider making a "safe" treat bag and delivering it to your neighbors prior to trick-or-treating time. That way, they can give it to give your child when they ring the doorbell!
- Make it a rule that no candy will be consumed while trick-or-treating or before an adult can check the ingredients.
- Try avoiding candy altogether and pass out non-food items and low-cost trinkets such as stickers, fake tattoos, pencils or coins.
- Make the holiday about costumes, cards and spooky stories, and NOT about the food and candy. Plan a Halloween party where you have the control instead of trick-or-treating.
- Remember that food allergies are really serious and can even lead to severe life-threatening reactions. Those with a known food allergy or history of food reaction – including hives, trouble breathing, throat swelling or anaphylaxis – should always carry a twin pack of epinephrine injector pens (EpiPens) in case of an emergency.

If you suspect your child may have food allergies, a quick blood test called a RAST for IgE antibodies is commonly used to determine if an allergy exists. If an allergy does exist, our nurses can advise what foods and food classes to avoid and what to do in the event of an emergency to avoid an unwanted frightful Halloween.

Beware of ghosts & goblins AND HALLOWEEN ALLERGIES

Halloween allergy and asthma triggers, and how to avoid them

Oct 14, 2011 6:00 AM

For millions of children with asthma and allergies, and their parents, Halloween can be a frightful time of year. Not only because of the usual suspects—candy and treats—but some more unexpected culprits as well. Costumes, makeup, and other accessories can bring on dangerous allergy and asthma symptoms, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. But fear not—be smart and consider these important tips on how to help your little ghost or goblin stay wheeze and sneeze-free on Halloween night.

Treats: Peanuts, tree nuts, milk and eggs are common ingredients in chocolate and other confections. For kids with food allergies, eating these Halloween treats can bring on a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. But candies containing gelatin, such as gummy bears are potential triggers, too. For children prone to food allergies, have some non-candy treats on hand, such as stickers, pencils and small toys, be wary of “fun size” candy which may contain different ingredients than regular size packages, and teach your child to politely say no to food that may not be safe. Verify that adults or friends accompanying your child understand his or her food allergies and what to do in an emergency. And always make sure your food-allergic child carries their EpiPen with them.

Costumes: Thinking of re-using last year’s Halloween costume or taking a hand-me-down? Here’s something to consider: Halloween costumes packed away in a box for months can be laden with dust mites, which could trigger an allergic or asthmatic response. Be sure to wash the dusty and hand-me-down costumes in hot water. Or spring for a new costume. And, whenever possible, watch out for nickel in costume accessories, from cowboy belts and pirate swords to tiaras and magic wands. Nickel can cause allergic contact dermatitis, making for an itchy, bumpy, uncomfortable kid.

Makeup: Cheap Halloween makeup may include preservatives that can cause allergic reactions, such as a rash or swelling. Opt for higher quality theater makeup, and test the makeup on a small area of your child’s skin well in advance of Halloween.

Pumpkins: Pumpkin allergies, while rare, can cause itching, chest tightness, and other symptoms, and they can appear suddenly, even if you haven’t had a problem before. If you think you might be allergic, beware of pumpkin carving and pumpkin. And keep in mind that pumpkin patches are often moldy and dusty, allergy and asthma triggers for some.

Decorative contact lenses: If your Twilight fan is asking for colorful, vampire-inspired contact lenses, consider this warning from the Food and Drug Administration before saying “yes”. An eye doctor must measure each eye to properly fit the lenses and evaluate how the eye responds to contact lens wear. A poor fit can cause serious eye damage, including cornea scratches and infection, conjunctivitis (pink eye), decreased vision, and even blindness. Never buy the lenses from places that sell them without a prescription, such as street vendors, salons, novelty stores, and the Internet.

Fog: If you’re planning on using a fog machine at your Halloween party, keep in mind that fog can trigger asthma in some sufferers.

Sources
Don’t Let Allergies, Asthma Haunt Halloween Fun [American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology]
Avoid the Danger of Anaphylaxis this Halloween [American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology]
Decorative Contact Lenses: Is Your Vision Worth It? [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]

Food Allergy Basics

A food allergy occurs when a person's immune system identifies proteins in a food as an allergen and begins to produce antibodies - called Immunoglobulin E or IgE - against that food (e.g. nuts or milk).

These antibodies attach themseleves to mast cells in the body, and when the person again eats the allergenic food, the proteins from it become attached to the IgE antibodies. This causes the mast cells to release histamine and other powerful chemicals. It is these chemicals that cause the symptoms of allergy.

The symptoms: Not everyone will get all symptoms, and reaction severity varies widely. The symptoms may include:

-Tingling in the mouth

-Swelling of the tongue and throat

-Itchy skin, hives or skin redness

-Breathing difficulty, wheezing

-Abdominal cramps

-Vomiting

-Faintness due to a sudden drop in blood pressure

-In a severe anaphylactic reaction, the allergic person can lose consciousness and is at risk of death.

Anaphylaxis- This is a serious form of allergic reaction that occurs rapidly and can be fatal. Symptoms may involve the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, the skin and or the cardiovascular system. It is essential that those with food or insect sting allergies carry an epinephrine auto-injector, so treatment can be given promptly while arranging to get to emergency care (call 911 for ambulance).

Source: Allergic Living, Fall 2011.

5 facts about Ragweed

Fast Facts about fall's nastiest weed.

1. There are dozens of varieties of ragweed, but common and giant ragweed are the biggest culprits.

2. Ragweed pollen can travel; it has been measured in the air 400 miles out to sea and two miles up in the atmosphere.

3. A ragweed plant lives only one season, but produces up to 1 billion pollen grains.

4. People with ragweed allergy may also get symptoms when they eat cantaloupe and banana. That's an allergic cross-reaction.

5. Some people relocate to get away from ragweed, and while that often helps for a few years, it's common to develop allergies to plants in the new location within a few years.

Source: Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America