It's every parent's nightmare: Your family doctor has informed you that you have allergic children. It isn't uncommon, and many families have been where you are. The important thing is not to panic, and not to overreact. What you need to do is take a deep breath, calm down, and think rationally. Roughly 5% of children will be diagnosed with food allergies, and of these, some will outgrow their allergies by the time they enter school. But, until then, there are steps you can take to protect your child.
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.
And don't forget to get the help of your family and friends! After all, your allergic children will be attending family dinners and get-togethers, and it's easier for everyone if they know what your child can and cannot eat, and what to do in case of an emergency. If you are going on a vacation this summer, don't think you have to avoid going out to eat. Simply call ahead and tell the restaurant that you have allergic children and what they are allergic to. More often than not, these restaurants and hotels will be happy to do everything they can to make sure you and your family have an enjoyable time.
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.
And don't forget to get the help of your family and friends! After all, your allergic children will be attending family dinners and get-togethers, and it's easier for everyone if they know what your child can and cannot eat, and what to do in case of an emergency. If you are going on a vacation this summer, don't think you have to avoid going out to eat. Simply call ahead and tell the restaurant that you have allergic children and what they are allergic to. More often than not, these restaurants and hotels will be happy to do everything they can to make sure you and your family have an enjoyable time.
About the Author:
Allergic children should be attended immediately. If you are a parent of one, make sure you know the common allergies symptoms and treatments.
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