HEALTHY FAMILY
Making Halloween Safe
and Fun for Kids with
Food Allergies
W For millions of kids
with food allergies,
the risk of exposure
to food allergens on
Halloween is high, from
accidental ingestion to
cross-contamination. 48
Washington FAMILY OCTOBER 2019
e’re approaching that hallowed
time of year that spooks par-
ents. Last-minute costume
scrambles, sugar-induced meltdowns, track-
ing teens’ whereabouts, and attempting to
monitor the candy calorie intake. But for
parents of kids with food allergies, there is
a different and extra reason to be frightful.

For millions of kids with food allergies,
the risk of exposure to food allergens on
Halloween is high, from accidental inges-
tion to cross-contamination. Six of the
top eight allergens are in high circulation
around Halloween. Wheat, milk, soy and
egg are used in many chocolates, fruit
chews and caramels and often, candies are
made with the same equipment used with
peanut or tree nuts.

The scare for children is very real.

According to Food Allergy Research &
Education (FARE), one in every 13 chil-
dren has a food allergy. Halloween, and its
guaranteed grab-bag of surprises, requires
parents of children with food allergies to
have a few more tricks up their sleeves
to ensure their kids can safely enjoy the
holiday. “Safe” and “fun” can co-exist at
Halloween. There are easy ways to plan
ahead and help avoid food-allergen related
surprises by incorporating new traditions
so parents and kids can enjoy the holiday
without any scary surprises. Here are some
tips to prepare for the best Halloween yet.

• Create a Halloween action plan with
your child’s allergist. Food allergies
are specific to each child and it’s
important to consult the medical
professionals who know your child’s
situation best. Review the plan, in
advance, with your family and friends
who plan to trick-or-treat with your
child so they can put on their capes
and help save the day.

• Spot the safe places. The Food Allergy
Research & Education’s (FARE) Teal
Pumpkin Project is a recent initiative
to help children and parents identify
neighbors who offer non-food treats.

Teal-colored pumpkins placed at the
doorsteps of homes serve as a “safe”
sign for trick-or-treaters. This indi-
cates homeowners have giveaways
that don’t include food — sending
a message that treats and surprises
come in more than candy packages.

• Get others involved to help foster a
more inclusive holiday. It’s a great
time to break out your DIY skills
and show others how fun and easy
it is to create a community that sup-
ports families with food allergies
and sensitivities. Host a “Trunk or
Treat” party in a community park-
ing lot and invite friends, neighbors
and family to deck out their cars and
load up their trunks with non-food
treats, like bubbles, glow sticks or
Halloween temporary tattoos.

• Develop a candy plan. Trick-or-treat
with your child and monitor what
they receive as you go from house to
house. Carrying around a bag full of
goodies can be tempting for kids, so
tuck a few “safe food” items in your
pocket to help deter your child from
reaching into their stash. When you
arrive home, create a candy exchange
game, so kids can trade in items that
may trigger their allergies, for other
candy or non-food treats.

• Watch for possible signs of an aller-
gic reaction. Keep an eye out for any
symptoms or any out-of-the-ordinary
behaviors — these could be early sig-
nals. If you think your child may be at
risk of suffering an attack, follow your
allergy action plan.

If you’re unsure if your child has a
food allergy, contact your doctor or
a walk-in clinic. Other providers, like
UnitedHealthcare’s “24-Hour Nurse,” can
help you decide which symptoms may need
a doctor’s eye.

Irene-Myers Thompson is the
wellness director for UnitedHealthcare
of Mid-Atlantic.

IMGORTHAND/E+/GETTY IMAGES
BY IRENE-MYERS THOMPSON