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Plan Ahead to Protect Your Child With Food Allergies

Food allergies can be especially dangerous, especially for young children. As a parent of a child recently diagnosed with an allergy, you want to do everything in your power to protect your child. The best way to protect your child is to plan ahead. Whether you're sending your child off to school for the first time or heading out of town on vacation, learn some strategies you can practice to keep your child safer.

Ask Questions

Never be afraid to ask questions. You should ask questions no matter where you are. From a backyard party at a friend's house to a restaurant, if you do not know precisely what ingredients are in a dish — ask for clarification. You don't want to find out after the fact that the meal included an allergen. 

You should also ask about substitutions. For example, some restaurants prepare dishes with artificial crab meat, which is a combination of different types of fish. Just because you think an ingredient is one thing, it doesn't mean it actually is. 

Know What Treatments Work

Ensure you know what treatments work best for your child. To ensure you're on top of this goal, you need to visit an allergist, like those represented at http://www.oakbrookallergists.com. Don't just assume your child is having an allergic reaction to a particular food and decide on your own treatment. An allergist will test your child for the food allergy, and based on their body's response, prescribe a specific treatment. 

For some people, an oral medication might be suitable, and for other children, an injection treatment is necessary. Learn what treatments work for your child so that in the event of a reaction, you're prepared to handle the matter right away. 

Make Prep Cards

If your child has severe food allergies, such as those that cause an anaphylactic reaction, you should consider making prep cards. Prep cards can be as small as a business card and should contain a list of all your child's food allergies. 

The card should also include information about any required preparation guidelines, such as not preparing the food in the same area as the allergen as to avoid cross-contamination. When you visit a restaurant, you can hand the card to the waiter, who can take it back to the kitchen staff, who can ensure your child's meal is prepared with safety in mind. 

You can never do too much when it comes to protecting your child. Speak with an allergy professional who can assist you with additional planning and treatment tips. 


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