5 tips for food allergy-safe Halloween

Originally known as an American tradition, trick-or-treating on Halloween as well as Halloween parties have become a global phenomenon. Supermarkets around the globe are offering Halloween-themed candy, which usually contain multiple top food allergens like milk, nuts, or eggs. In allergic patients, eating these candies can lead to severe allergic reactions, for example hives, swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, and sometimes even anaphylaxis.

Dealing with food allergies around special occasions like Halloween can be difficult especially for allergic children and their parents or caretakers. However, with the right preparation, food allergy patients can enjoy a carefree Halloween night:

1.?????Stay informed

Parents, teachers, and caretakers should stay informed about potential food allergies of children attending Halloween related activities at school or Halloween parties in the neighborhood. Basic knowledge about allergic reactions and how to deal with them is very important to assure safe and carefree Halloween festivities.

2.?????Avoid cross-contamination

If you are preparing self-made allergy-friendly sweets (e.g., cookies, muffins, cupcakes, etc.), make sure to keep them in a separate container to avoid cross-contamination with unsafe foods. Extra tip: Avoid wearing latex gloves while preparing allergy-safe treats.

3.?????Read food labels

If you are going for store-bought Halloween candy and want to avoid certain food allergens (e.g., peanuts, milk, etc.) make sure to read food labels and ingredient lists carefully. The big 8 food allergens (milk, egg, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, and shellfish) must be marked on food labels in most countries. ??

4.?????Avoid face paint & masks

Allergy patients should avoid face paint or masks covering their whole face as part of their Halloween costumes. On the one hand, face paint and masks can make it harder to identify allergic reactions (e.g., a skin rash) when they occur, and on the other hand, they can make symptoms like shortness of breath or asthma even worse. However, as far as masks are concerned, we encourage everyone to follow local COVID guidelines and regulations.

5.?????Be prepared

When allergy specialists diagnose food allergies in their patients, they will prescribe suitable medication to deal with allergic reactions. If your child or a child you are taking care of has experienced severe allergic reactions to a certain food in the past, make sure they are carrying their prescribed emergency medication (e.g., adrenaline/epinephrine auto-injectors) with them before attending any Halloween activities.

Keep in mind: An accurate allergy diagnosis is key to enjoying food-related festivities like Halloween without much worry.

ALEX 2? determines important risk markers most likely responsible for severe reactions, indicates cross-reactivities, and identifies allergens that are primary food allergens, which leads to the diagnosis of allergic sensitizations to the big 8 food allergens and many more.?