Halloween and Food Allergies

When I was young Halloween was a time to dress-up and be someone else, go to parties and eat lots and lots of candy. Now we are trying to learn how to navigate this holiday with a food allergy. It hurts my stomach to know that people will be try to give my child things that could send her to the hospital or even kill her.

Teal Pumpkin Project

FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) has promoted their Teal Pumpkin Project, where you paint a pumpkin teal and place it on your front porch along with a printable poster that states that you have non-food treats available. For more information please click on FARE Teal Pumpkin Project.

Some non-food item gifts can come from the Dollar Store, Oriental Trading Co., and the craft store. From rings, glow sticks, stickers, rubber snakes and spiders, and even festive cups, and pencils.

Having a Good Time Safely

I have been reading some wonderful comments from parents who take their allergic children out trick-or-treating. No one wants to feel left out and these parents have developed strategies to let their kids have a good time. The first was to wear gloves, or incorporate gloves into the costume. Second always carry your child's epinephrine auto injector. Third don't let them eat anything until they get
home.

You can always say, "No, thank you. I have an allergy." Or should you chose to accept candy there are so many more options. You can go through you child's candy and allow them to have the safe items. Some dentist offices offer a candy swap where they pay you for candy and they usually pass out new tooth brushes. You can pass it on to you friends at work, and buy safe candy on clearance. Or you could trade for cash, toys or anything else your child enjoys.

I told my husband that I planed on baking safe cookies so she can come home and have something she enjoys.

Our First Year Out

This will be our first real Halloween out enjoying the festivities. Year one we passed out candy at the door, and last year we only went to friends and family who knew about our allergy and they all had safe snacks for our daughter. This year we wanted to try the Halloween Party at the grade school. They take pictures, have a costume contest, games and activities for the little ones. Hoping for a great time, let you know how it turns out in.