Help for Managing Your Child’s Food Allergy
Being a parent to a child with food allergies can be incredibly worrying. Atlanta parents who have gone through the food allergy testing stage will have a clear understanding of their child’s allergies.
It is normal to be anxious about what you feed your child, and to spend longer than usual checking food ingredients. When your child is away from you and the home, the problem is then amplified. For instance, if your child is on a trip or doing a school activity, you may not be able to personally monitor them.
Tips for Protecting Your Child from a Food Allergy Reaction
Planning and communication are central to coping with your child’s food allergies. Make sure you are fully prepared by using the following tips – do not leave things to chance.
Create an Emergency Plan
An emergency plan is crucial when time is limited. If your child experiences anaphylaxis, you want any teachers or supervisors to know what action to take. Create a step-by-step process that details what to do. Include a medical pack that has an EpiPen® and any other medication your allergist has provided.
Make Your Own Food
While many food products list ingredients that could cause allergies, it will not always be so obvious. Your child may be offered homemade cooking, or items that have been made alongside allergens. If it’s possible, consider pre-preparing food for your child that you will know is safe. You could also create a list of potentially dangerous foods that might possibly contain traces of an allergen.
Communicate With Your Child
Start communicating with your child about their allergies from an early age. When they’re away from home, they may be faced with offers of treats that are hard to turn down. Clear communication will help a child understand the dangers of particular foods, without making them unreasonably distrustful of all foods.
Speak to People in Authority
Try to speak to any authority figure who is responsible for your child’s care in advance. Whether a teacher, camp supervisor, relative or friend, look to open lines of communication about the food allergy. Even those with the best intentions can make mistakes if they aren’t fully informed. Try to make the information you provide as simple as possible, and explain the procedures involved with EpiPen injections and other medication.
Consider Safe Treatment Options
If you want to keep your child as safe as possible, explore food allergy treatment. Oral immunotherapy treatment (OIT) is an effective method for desensitizing the immune system to allergens. OIT has been proven to build tolerance levels to allergens, allowing your child to live freely without the danger of severe allergic reactions.
Expert Treatment for Your Child’s Food Allergy
Chacko Food Allergy Treatment Center works with adults and children to treat their food allergies. For allergy testing and treatment, request an appointment online in one of our clinics in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Druid Hills, Duluth and Johns Creek, or call 678-668-4688.
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