Trick or Treat...or Trouble

So many of our prepared foods have nuts in them…cereals, breads, desserts, oriental foods, and others you would not even know about. And some are cut up so small that you can’t even see them. So what are parents to do, who want to protect their allergic children all year round but especially at Halloween?

Dr. Sean Cahill, associate professor of pediatrics at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, suggests the following:

• If you have a younger child, take nut-free candy to neighbors before Halloween and then take your child to those houses on the big night.


• When your child returns home from trick-or treating, immediately remove all treats with nuts or those that could cause a reaction. If in doubt, get rid of the candy.


• If you or anyone else eats a product with nuts, brush your teeth and wash your hands before hugging or kissing a child with a nut allergy.

So, what’s a good substitute to give to allergic children?  Try stickers, pens and pencils, plastic jewelry, coloring books and art supplies, small puzzles and small toys such as bath toys, toy cars, and figures of dinosaurs or whatever is the plastic rage at the moment. 

At school, volunteer to help at the party and provide the snacks so you can monitor the situation and resolve safety concerns.

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