Make Halloween Fun and Safe for Kids with Food Allergies

By Dr. Manav Segal, Board Certified Philadelphia Allergist and Immunologist

While Halloween can be a spooky season, it can be particularly scary for parents with children who suffer from severe allergies to foods like peanuts, milk and eggs.

One of every 13 children in the U.S. has food allergies. A severe food allergy diagnosis once meant a paralyzing sentence for kids—and their families—who needed to avoid foods like peanuts at all costs: no vacations, no eating out, no birthday parties . . . and no Halloween treats.

The most common foods that trigger allergies in children include peanuts, tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc.), milk, eggs, soy and wheat. Sesame is also becoming a common allergen. Other ingredients, such as annatto (a seed that can be used as food coloring or to add natural flavor), can also result in allergic reactions. And they all can be found in candy.

For children who are severely allergic, a single bite of any food with these ingredients may cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, that typically affects more than one part of the body and can happen very quickly. Symptoms can include a lump or tightness in the throat, hoarseness, trouble breathing, wheezing, tightness in the chess, tingling in the hands, feet, lips or scalp, dizziness, confusion and shock. If your child who has food allergies experiences any of these symptoms, use your auto-injectable epinephrine and call 911.

What are the Options?

There is hope for individuals who suffer from severe food allergies. Previously, the only safe approach was strict avoidance. Today, thanks to a breakthrough treatment called Oral Immunotherapy, or OIT. OIT is a medical treatment guided by board-certified allergist with a payoff of freedom from food fear. In about 85% of cases, the immune system can be re-trained to tolerate the allergen.

How to Have a Safe Halloween with Food Allergies

Having food allergies doesn’t mean being left out of all the Halloween excitement. Here are ideas and reminders for a fun and safe holiday:

• Plan food-free Halloween alternative activities such as costume contests, games and pumpkin carving
• Don’t let your food-allergic child trick-or-treat alone
• Always make sure your child carries his or her auto-injectable epinephrine with them
• Verify that adults or friends with your child understand his or her food allergies and what to do in an emergency
• Teach your child how to politely say no to food that may not be safe, especially homemade items such as cookies and cupcakes
• Candy that is safe for most kids with food allergies should not be cross contaminated with common food allergens
• “Fun size” candy may contain different ingredients than regular size packages
• Enjoy Life and YumEarth are two brands that produce chocolates and candies that are free of the most common (top 8) food allergens
• Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, jellybeans, Skittles, Starbursts, and Life Savers candies are safe for most children
• Parents should check candy and sort into a “keep pile” and a “trade pile”
• Suggest that your child can swap the “trade pile” candy for a special treat and include your child in making a donation of the candy.

Teal is the New Orange – Make Halloween Inclusive for All

The Teal Pumpkin Project®, a project of the food allergy advocacy organization FARE (Food, Allergy, Research & Education), was developed to raise awareness of food allergies and make Halloween a more inclusive event. A teal-colored pumpkin has been designated as a symbol for non-food treats such as pencils, erasers, notepads, crayons, Lego® toys and more. Teal pumpkins are widely available at retailers such as Target and Walmart, or you can paint your own as fun project with your child.

With a little forethought and planning, children with life-threatening food allergies can enjoy celebrating a safe, fun and inclusive Halloween!

Dr. Manav Segal is a leading Philadelphia-area allergist and immunologist who treats asthma and allergies in children and adults, and provides breakthrough Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) to treat severe food allergies. Dr. Segal is Board certified by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American Board of Internal Medicine, and is Chief of Allergy & Immunology at Chestnut Hill Hospital.