Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids. Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to help ensure they have a safe holiday.

All Dressed Up:

·         Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

·         Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.

·         Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.

·         When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.

·         If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.

·         Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.

·         Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.

·         Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

Carving a Niche:

·         Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.

·         Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.

·         Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

Home Safe Home:

·         To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

·         Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

·         Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.

·         Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

On the Trick-or-Treat Trail:

·         A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

·         If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.

·         Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

·         Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:

·         Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.

·         Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.

·         If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.

·         Never cut across yards or use alleys.

·         Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom).

·         Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.

·         Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!

·         Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

Healthy Halloween:

·         A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.

·         Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.

·         Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.

·         Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx

When to Suspect an Allergy

Here are some common clues that could lead you to suspect your child may have an allergy:

·  Repeated or chronic cold-like symptoms that last more than a week or two, or develop at about the same time every year. These could include a runny nose, nasal stuffiness, sneezing, throat clearing, and itchy, watery eyes.

·  Recurrent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory symptoms may be a sign of asthma. Coughing may be an isolated symptom; symptoms that increase at night or with exercise are suspicious for asthma.

·  Recurrent red, itchy, dry, sometime scaly rashes in the creases of the elbows and/or knees, or on the back of the neck, buttocks, wrists, or ankles.

· Symptoms that occur repeatedly after eating a particular food that may include hives, swelling, gagging, coughing or wheezing, vomiting or significant abdominal pain.

·   Itching or tingling sensations in the mouth, throat and/or ears during certain times of year or after eating certain foods, particularly fresh fruits.


Common Allergies on the Homefront

·         Dust mites (dust mites are microscopic and are found in bedding, upholstered furniture and carpet as well as other places)

·         Furred animal allergens (dogs, cats, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, etc.)

·         Pest allergens (cockroaches, mice, rats)

·         Pollen (trees, grasses, weeds)

·         Molds and fungi (including molds too small to be seen with the naked eye)

·         Foods (cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish)

How to Manage Allergic Nasal Symptoms

·         Nasal allergy symptoms can be caused by a variety of environmental allergens including indoor allergens such as dust mites, pets, and pests as well as outdoor allergens such as pollens.  Molds, which can be found indoors and outdoors, can also trigger nasal allergy symptoms.

·         Allergy testing should be performed to determine what, if any, of these environmental allergens your child is allergic to.

·         An important step in managing allergy symptoms is avoidance of the allergens that trigger the symptoms.

·         If your child is allergic to pets, the addition of pets to your family would not be recommended. If your child has allergy symptoms and is allergic to a pet that lives with your family, the only way to have a significant impact on your child’s exposure to pet allergens is to find the pet a new home.

·         If your child is allergic to pests, professional extermination, sealing holes and cracks that serve as entry points for pests, storing foods in plastic containers with lids and meticulous clean up of food remains can help to eliminate the pests and reduce allergen levels.

·         Dust mites congregate where moisture is retained and food for them (human skin scales) is plentiful. They are especially numerous in bedding, upholstered furniture, and rugs. Padded furnishings such as mattresses, box springs, and pillows should be encased in allergen-proof, zip-up covers, which are available through catalogs and specialized retailers. Wash linens weekly and other bedding, such as blankets, every 1 to 2 weeks in hot water. (The minimum temperature to kill mites is 130 degrees. If you set your water heater higher than 120 degrees, the recommended temperature to avoid accidental scald burns, take care if young children are present in the home.)

·         If your child is allergic to outdoor allergens, it can be helpful to use air conditioners when possible. Showering or bathing at the end of the day to remove allergens from body surfaces and hair can also be helpful. For patients with grass pollen allergy, remaining indoors when grass is mowed and avoiding playing in fields of tall grass may be helpful. Children with allergies to molds should avoid playing in piles of dead leaves in the fall. Pets tracking in and out of the house can also bring pollen and mold indoors.

Medications to Control Symptoms

Your child's allergy treatment should start with your pediatrician, who may refer you to a pediatric allergy specialist for additional evaluations and treatments.

·         Antihistamines – Ones taken by mouth can help with itchy watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing, as well as itchy skin and hives. Some types may cause drowsiness.

·         Nasal Corticosteroids - Highly effective for allergy symptom control and are widely used to stop chronic symptoms. Safe to use in children over long periods of time. Must be used daily.

·         Allergy Immunotherapy - Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, may be recommended to reduce your child's allergy symptoms. Allergy shots are only prescribed in patients with confirmed allergy. If allergen avoidance and medications are not successful, allergy shots for treatment of respiratory allergies to pollen, dust mites, cat and dog dander, and outdoor molds can help  decrease the need for daily medication.

·         Ask your doctor about additional therapies.

Managing Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis):

·         Steroid creams are very effective. When used sparingly and at the lowest strength that does the job, they are very safe.

·         Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory creams or ointments can be used for itching and redness and decrease the need for steroid creams.

·         Antihistamine medication may be prescribed to relieve the itching, and help break the itch-scratch cycle.

·         Long-sleeved sleepwear may also help prevent nighttime scratching.

·         Soaps containing perfumes and deodorants may be too harsh for children’s sensitive skin.

·         Launder new clothes thoroughly before your child wears them. Avoid fabric softener.

·         Use laundry products that are free of dyes and perfumes and double-rinse clothes, towels and bedding.

·         Lukewarm soaking baths are good ways to treat the dry skin of eczema. Gently pat your child dry after the bath to avoid irritating the skin with rubbing. Then, liberally apply moisturizing cream right away.

·         Eczema, particularly when severe, may be associated with food allergies (e.g., milk, egg, peanut).


© 2012 - American Academy of Pediatrics

Abstracted from Allergies and Asthma: What Every Parent Needs to Know, 2nd Edition.  For more information on allergies and asthma, visit the AAP Section on Allergy and Immunology web site at www.aap.org/sections/allergy.