Friday, January 22, 2010

How To Protect Your Allergic Children

By Lakisha Cotta

You recently learned that you have food Allergic Children. Maybe you went into shock or denial at first. It is a common reaction, after all. However something happened recently that made you realize that you have to do something to protect your children better. It doesn't matter what happened, who it happened to, or even if it was just a nightmare! As long as you realize you can't deny the allergy any longer, you're making progress with dealing with the allergy. Here are some tips to help keep your child safe.

The first thing a parent of allergic children needs to do is to take a look at their kitchen. Any food that your child may be allergic to must be removed, especially if your child has a severe reaction - such as children who are allergic to peanuts. Even if there are no peanuts in the house, you should take a look at the ingredients in cereal, cake and bread mixes, and snack foods to make certain no peanut oil is an ingredient. While it will make going to the store last a little longer, it's not much of a sacrifice to protect your allergic children.

The net thing to consider is your child's daycare, school and babysitters. You need to make certain these people are aware of what your child can and cannot eat. While it's not easy to think of worst case scenarios, you should set out a plan of what to do in case your child has been given something that will be harmful for them. Make a list of what steps to take for your allergic children, who to call, where to go and what doctor to visit. Keep a copy of this list somewhere you will always remember, such as on the refrigerator or in a kitchen drawer, along with an Epi-pen or a dose of Benadryl.

Remember to include your friends and family on your plans to take care of your allergic children. The more people who know what to do in case of an emergency, and are aware of what foods may be dangerous to your child, the less chance there will be of accidental exposure. If you are traveling for the holidays or on vacation, don't be afraid to tell restaurants about your child's needs and restrictions. Many times they will have alternatives for your child's meal.

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