Helping Your Child Navigate Food Allergies When You Aren't With Them
Being a parent makes the world a whole lot scarier to begin with, so adding in that your child suffers from food allergies can be outright terrifying. Thoughts race through your head as they become more independent and you aren’t there as much to protect them from the dangers of accidentally consuming their allergen.
Thankfully there are a few procedures you can put into place to teach your little one to practice caution and to be aware of how to handle their allergy.
The first method of defense is awareness. Everyone, and I mean everyone needs to be aware of and reminded of your child’s food allergy. The more eyes and ears on the allergy, the more people who can prevent any contact with the allergen from happening. Always submit the allergy to the school, tell your child’s teachers, aides, principles and whoever else is in contact with your child about the allergy.
Purchase a food allergy awareness bracelet. It could be a good idea, if your child is comfortable with it, to have them wear a bracelet indicating their food allergy so anyone you may not have contacted the allergy about can be made aware. These bracelets by Allermates are fun and comfortable for everyday wear!
Teach your child. It is important to teach your child all about their allergy and how to handle allergic reactions. Doing so alongside a registered dietitian can be beneficial for providing the most accurate and crucial information in a fun and understandable manner.
Advocate for more awareness. Food allergy awareness not only in schools but in all aspects of life is so important! Advocating for allergy-free foods in schools, first aid certification courses being taught, and teaching other children the severity of food allergies and how to help in the event of an allergic reaction, is what can save lives.
There are many things that can be very scary about your child’s food allergy but by taking the proper precautions and educating your child on their food allergy, you are creating a safe and supportive environment where your child can be a kid without fear of their allergy controlling thier life.
For more detailed information and support on food allergies, send an email to nutrikaywellness@gmail.com to sign up for a session today!