Don’t Let Halloween Allergens Cause a Fright

Though Halloween is a fun and exciting time for many children, it can pose a few risks to those who have skin or food allergies.

Over 50 million people in the United States experience allergies every year. If your child is one of them, let’s examine a few of the ways you can keep them safe while still having fun on Halloween.

Halloween Allergy Triggers

Treats

One of the biggest concerns of parents of children with food allergies is that they might get exposed to allergens while trick-or-treating or at a Halloween party and experience allergy symptoms. To prevent this from happening, you can:

• Speak with any teachers, parents, or other adults in charge of any Halloween function beforehand and inform them of your child’s allergies.
• Make a rule with your child that they are not allowed to eat any candy or other treats until they get back from trick-or-treating and you can go through their bag together to determine what is safe and what isn’t.
• If your child has severe food allergies or allergies to many different kinds of foods, it may be better to forgo trick-or-treating and replace it with another fun Halloween activity like carving pumpkins, watching a scary movie or going to the Family Night Corn Maze at Fordyce Farm.

Costumes

Costumes can contain common allergens which can cause rashes and other reactions in children who have sensitivities. These allergens include:

• Latex– Found in masks, body suits, and a liquid version is sometimes used in body paint.
• Nickel– Used in accessories like swords, tiaras, magic wants and more. Nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, which is an itchy, red rash that can cause discomfort.
• Fragrances and dyes: Various fragrances and dyes can be found in makeup designed for face painting. Some of which have the potential to cause an allergic reaction. If you know your child has skin allergies, consider either skipping the face paint or doing some research on the ingredients included in each brand.

Be Prepared in Case of an Allergic Reaction

If your child has an inhaler for asthma or an EpiPen in case of severe allergic reactions, make sure to bring it with you when you go trick-or-treating. If they attend a Halloween event without you, make sure another adult is there who can hold on to their medication and administer it if needed.

For more information about allergies or to schedule an appointment for your child with one of our specialists, call Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery today.

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