A Happy — and Safe — Halloween for Kids With Food Allergies

Teal pumpkins are sharing the stage with classic orange varieties this Halloween. They signify to trick-or-treaters that a home is “food allergy-friendly” and offers non-food treats separately from candy.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 out of 13 children have food allergies, some that cause life-threatening reactions. The Teal Pumpkin Project, created by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a non-profit engaged in food allergy advocacy and research, has transformed the holiday around the world, helping communities make the day fun and stress-free for kids avoiding certain allergens.

Easily Hidden Food Allergens

There is no such thing as “allergy-free” candy, according to candyfacts.org. Allergens hide in many Halloween-themed food and non-food products:

• Candy corn often contains egg whites.
• Candy “minis” may have different ingredients than their larger counterparts.
• Licorice typically contains wheat as a binding ingredient.
• Dark chocolate often contains traces of milk.
• Make-up products or face paints may contain food allergens as ingredients.
• Some brands of moldable clay contain wheat.

How Do Food Allergies Feel

Allergic reactions to food can range from a mild itchy mouth to severe, life-threatening symptoms. It typically takes a few minutes to two hours after eating the offending food to experience a reaction. The most common food allergy signs include:

• Tingling or itching in the mouth
• Hives, itching or eczema
• Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body
• Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting

Tips for Safe Trick or Treating

For parents whose kids have experienced any of these symptoms, Halloween can be harrowing. Many candies are off-limits as they include allergens or are risky because of possible cross-contamination during manufacturing.

This means children with allergies need to pay even more attention than usual on Halloween, Dr. Clifford W. Bassett, board-certified allergist and immunologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group and author of The New Allergy Solution, told TODAY.com.

Dr. Bassett’s suggests setting these rules for a safe Halloween:

• Teach kids how to scrutinize labels.
• Refuse candy without packaging.
• Enforce a “no eating while trick-or-treating” rule so parents can review food labels.
• Send kids off with safe snacks they can munch on.
• Always have an epinephrine auto-injector available, if prescribed.

Join the Teal Pumpkin Project

Create a safe and “food allergy friendly” Halloween with a few simple steps. Place a teal pumpkin outside your home in a high visibility area, like the front steps or porch. Consider displaying a Teal Pumpkin sign to indicate that non-food treats are available. Keep non-food items in a separate bowl from food treats. And consider adding your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project Map to help trick-or-treaters plan their routes.

Stocking up on non-food items kids will love as much as candy is a no-brainer. FARE suggests offering glow sticks, bracelets or necklaces, pencils, pens, crayons or markers, bubbles, bouncy balls, coins, spider rings, mini notepads, playing cards and stickers.

At the end of the day, Halloween is about having fun. Remind kids that candy doesn’t need to be the focus to have a great time.

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If you think your child has a food allergy, schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified allergy providers. They perform different types of precision testing to determine whether a particular allergen is at play and provide a customized treatment plan, so your child stays comfortable and healthy.