Tanya's Top Twelve Tips

Dealing with food allergies?  Parents take note.

1. Alert any caretakers, classmates and their parents, friends, neighbors, relatives, teachers, and school staff about the allergy.
2. Carry an epi-pen at all times - or two, since it can sometimes take two doses to treat an attack.
3. Have an extra pair of epi-pens for school, day care, Grandma's house, etc...
4. Have your child wear a medical bracelet (or badge, sticker, temporary tattoo) http://www.allergicchild.com/allergy_related_products.htm
5. Read labels very very carefully.
6. Carry your own snacks and do not allow your child to swap or share snacks.
7. Talk to the child about their allergy. Of course, you don't want to overdo it. My daughter is hesitant to eat donuts because it has the word "nut" in it. But maybe this is a good thing.
8. Have your child re-tested periodically to see if there is any change. Some children do outgrow peanut allergies.
9. Read all about it. I found this to be one of the best websites on the topic. http://www.foodallergy.org/
10. Be careful when dining out. Many ethnic foods regularly use peanut ingredients without it being obvious.
11. Watch out for cross contamination - both in foods and on surfaces. People think I am OCD because I carry an obscene amount of purell and wet wipes to use in eating establishments.
12. Ignore people who roll their eyes about it. They'll get theirs. Totally kidding! I don't really believe my daughter has peanut allergies due to karmic retribution. I just try to use humor to soften things a bit. No hate mail, please.