Creative costumes. Spooky decorations. Fun-sized candy bars.
It’s almost time for Halloween, but for families of children with food allergies, the holiday can be a time of stress.
Dr. Ashley Ramos, a pediatric psychologist in the division of allergy/immunology and rheumatology at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s, says it’s “normal” for children with food allergies and their parents to feel anxiety around food-centered holidays like Halloween.
Trick-or-treat can be a big stressor for families of children with food allergies, Ramos says, but there are age-appropriate strategies parents can use. Young children may be happy to just visit a few houses, keeping the treats needing monitored manageable. If families are close to their neighbors, they may even be able to give those homes safe food or non-food treats to share when the child visits their door.
Non-Food Options
Focusing on the non-food parts of the holiday, like the decorations or costumes, is a good way to alleviate that stress, Ramos says. Families can paint or carve pumpkins or go for a hayride.
Dr. Jaclyn Bjelac, a member of the pediatric allergy staff at Cleveland Clinic and associate director of its Food Allergy Center of Excellence. adds “And, honestly, when I offer non-food treats, some of the big takers are kids with new braces, too,” Bjelac says. “Non-food is great for kids maybe with sensory issues, with food aversions, food allergies — it’s just a great way to be inclusive of people who maybe are choosing not to eat candy during this time of year.”
“So, really trying to hone in on those non-food aspects of the holiday that the child can experience and enjoy without having to worry about food can help them find traditions that work for their family,” Ramos adds.
Managing Food Expectations
“Managing food allergy around any kind of holiday, but especially our food-focused celebrations, can be a challenge, but preparation is always important,” Bjelac says.
As children grow older and venture further from home — with or without parents — Ramos suggests a “no eating while trick-or-treating policy.”
Children should also learn how to advocate for themselves in settings away from their parents or guardians.
Bjelac suggests they ask if a food is “safe,” because it “triggers an empathetic response in a way that you just don’t get if somebody says, ‘hey, does this have nuts in it?’”
Regardless, checking candy after trick-or-treating is an important step for managing food allergies around Halloween, including reading labels and making sure treats are still in their expected packages, Bjelac says. Some families have started doing something called a “switch witch,” trading unsafe or unwanted candy out for a small toy or other gift.
Ramos adds that some fun-sized candies have different ingredients than their full-size counterparts, so it’s important to check labels every time. Additionally, Bjelac noted that many small, “not labeled for individual sale” pieces of candy often don’t have their own ingredient labels, which can make them a risk.
“We have to remind kids that if we don’t have ingredients on the label, we have to assume it’s not safe,” Bjelac says.
Homemade foods should also cause pause. Families can talk to the person who made the food and examine labels for all ingredients. If that’s not an option, or if families don’t want to take the risk, avoiding homemade treats is suggested, as well.
Make a Plan
Accidents can always happen, so families should make sure they are comfortable with their “food allergy action plan,” Bjelac says, so they recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction and have treatments on hand, if necessary.
Overall, families have to make allergy management plans based on their own risk tolerance, Bjelac says, and in concert with their treating allergist. Reaching out to that professional should be step one if families have any questions.