A little preparation can ensure your little ones don’t suffer from allergic reactions or asthma attacks during Halloween.

‘Simple tips from American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) could help plan Halloween parties and trick-or-treating better.’

Following are six tips from ACAAI to help plan Halloween parties and trick-or-treating.




BOO who? - Even though kids might think their costume won’t be complete without a cool mask, sometimes it’s better to skip it – particularly for kids with asthma. If a mask is a must, it should never be tight-fitting or obstruct breathing.
Scary makeup might be frightful to skin – The ingredients in some Halloween makeup can cause allergic reactions. If your child suffers from eczema or another allergic skin condition, beware. Consider using high quality hypoallergenic makeup – or wear a hat instead! If you’ll be using makeup, make sure to test it on a small patch of skin in advance to see if skin reacts.
Tricky treats – Kids with food allergies can find Halloween particularly frightful. There’s the chance they could accidentally eat something they’re allergic to and have a severe reaction. If trick-or-treating has you worried, consider starting some new traditions. Start a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood, have a Halloween-themed party and serve safe treats, or watch a scary Halloween movie with friends.
Arm against goblins! – If trick-or-treating is part of your plan, be well prepared. Parents of kids with allergies should carry a charged cell phone, emergency epinephrine and a bag of safe treats in case your child wants to munch along the way. Make sure kids with asthma are taking their controller medications and have a reliever inhaler with them. Their asthma could flare up after running through moldy leaves or a fog machine.
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Join the teal pumpkin brigade – Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) has a campaign to encourage awareness of food allergies. They suggest non-food treats and painting a pumpkin teal - the color of food allergy awareness - to place in front of your house. A teal pumpkin lets trick-or-treaters know you have non-food treats for those with food allergies. Consider these allergy-safe ideas even if your kids aren’t food-allergic.