Managing your child’s food allergy this holiday season
Between holiday parties and school festivities, food and treats are all around this time of year, which can be extremely difficult to navigate if you have a child with food allergies.
As a pediatrician, here are my top tips to help manage food allergies so you and your family can enjoy every function that fills your holiday calendar:
1. Identify allergens
Teach your child to recognize and understand their allergens using age-appropriate language. For young children, this might mean explaining to them that a certain food can make them sick. Help your child begin to identify their allergen by pointing it out when you’re at the grocery store or other places where it might be present.
Because it can be difficult for children and adolescents to spot certain allergens, especially when they are cooked and baked into foods, teach them not to accept food from anyone besides a trusted adult who is familiar with their allergy. Make sure your child’s epinephrine device is always accessible and that adults caring for your child know where it is and how to use it.
2. Create a plan
In addition to partnering with your child’s school at the beginning of the year to develop a personalized Allergy Action Plan, feel free to revisit the conversation with their teacher as holiday celebrations approach. You can discuss what, if any, foods or treats will be served at school parties and ways your child can remain involved in celebrations.
If you are feeling especially worried about allergies being present at school functions, volunteer to help at the event or get involved in the preparations, including choosing what treats or non-food items will be enjoyed.
3. Accommodate allergies
Remind friends and family members about your child’s food allergy so they can make appropriate accommodations at parties. Consider asking them what they are planning for the menu and offering to bring an allergen-free dish for everyone to enjoy.
4. Volunteer to host
If it makes you more comfortable, consider hosting gatherings yourself. This way you know exactly what ingredients are in every dish and can have more confidence that your child will not be exposed to an allergen. You can also start holiday traditions that aren’t centered around food, such as going on winter hikes or participating in other physical activities.
How to talk about allergies over time
Regularly talk with your child about their food allergies as they grow up and gain more independence. Make sure they know they will not be left out of celebrations because of their allergies.
By helping your child understand their allergens and providing them the skills they need to safely avoid them, you’re setting them up to confidently and successfully navigate the world, food allergies and all.
Dr. Frances Kobiernicki is a pediatrician at Advocate Children’s Hospital.
Are you trying to find a pediatrician? Find one in Illinois or Wisconsin.
