October 26, 2022
Follow common sense tips to let them howl the night away
October 26, 2022– If you have a teenager in the house, long gone are the days when they started planning their Halloween costumes on the first day of school. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want to have a good time when Halloween rolls around. And that’s also true for teens who suffer from allergies andAsthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterized by recurrent breathing problems. People with asthma have acute episodes where the air passages in their lungs get narrower, and breathing becomes more difficult. Sometimes episodes of asthma are triggered by allergens, although infection, exercise, cold air and other factors are also important triggers." rel="tooltip">asthma.
Teens usually know the drill when it comes to handling their food allergies, seasonal allergies or asthma. Teenagers also don’t want to miss out on the fun if there are parties to be had or events to attend. And there’s no reason a teen with allergies or asthma should have to miss anything. Providing your teen with common-sense guidelines regarding what they can eat and what they need to steer clear of means they can join the fun and be wheeze and sneeze-free.
Here are four tips from American College ofAllergies are inappropriate or exaggerated reactions of the immune system to substances that, in the majority of people, cause no symptoms. Symptoms of the allergic diseases may be caused by exposure of the skin to a chemical, of the respiratory system to particles of dust or pollen (or other substances), or of the stomach and intestines to a particular food." rel="tooltip">Allergy, Asthma and Immunology to help your teen with allergies or asthma take part in the Halloween fun.
- Stay smoke free – in all forms– Your teen with asthma knows they shouldn’t smoke cigarettes and shouldn’t be around second-hand smoke because smoking can trigger an asthma attack. Do they also know they should avoid smoke machines, bonfires and fireworks for the same reason? If your child decides to attend a party where there will be a bonfire, let them know to sit upwind from the fire to avoid the smoke. They should also carry their rescue inhaler in case they begin to wheeze or feel other asthma symptoms coming on.
- Scary sounds shouldn’t be from candy wrappers——你的孩子知道foods they’re allergic to, but a few reminders around Halloween can’t hurt. People enjoy the “fun-size” treats, but many aren’t labeled for allergens, and if there’s no label, it isn’t safe for your teen with food allergies. If they are headed to a party, suggest they bring their own safe treats, or bake something they know is allergy-friendly to bring. Encourage your teen to host a Halloween party. They can control the food served and know that all the treats are allergen-free.
- Help your teen get his “ghoul” on– They may not admit it, but teens like to wear costumes too. Unfortunately, some Halloween makeup contains ingredients that cause allergic reactions – especially for those withAn inflammation of the skin, usually causing itching and sometimes accompanied by crusting, scaling or blisters. A type of eczema often made worse by allergen exposure is termed "atopic dermatitis."" rel="tooltip">eczemaor other allergic skin conditions. Do a little research and see if you can find high quality hypoallergenic makeup. Test any makeup your teen wants to use on a small patch of skin first to see if there is any reaction. If your child has a latex allergy, make sure they check for latex in any costume they plan on purchasing.
- Preparation is key to fun– Your teens may consider themselves “almost adult,” but they still need to be prepared for asthma and allergy emergencies. They should always carry needed medications including their rescue inhaler. If they have a food allergy they need twoEpinephrine is a naturally occurring hormone, also called adrenaline. It is one of two chemicals (the other is norepinephrine) released by the adrenal gland. Epinephrine increases the speed and force of heart beats and thereby the work that can be done by the heart. It dilates the airways to improve breathing and narrows blood vessels in the skin and intestine so that an increased flow of blood reaches the muscles and allows them to cope with the demands of exercise. Epinephrine has been produced synthetically as a drug since 1900. It remains the drug of choice for treatment of anaphylaxis." rel="tooltip">epinephrineauto-injectors and their cell phone in case an emergency arises. They should make sure any friends they regularly hang with are aware of their allergies or asthma so if they start to have a reaction, the friend can help.
If allergies or asthma are holding your teen back, it’s time to take control. See an allergist for expert care and relief. UseACAAI’s allergist locatorto find an allergist in your area.
About ACAAI
ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administerImmunotherapy is a form of preventive and anti-inflammatory treatment of allergy to substances such as pollens, house dust mites, fungi, and stinging insect venom. Immunotherapy involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic. The incremental increases of the allergen cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the substance, perhaps by causing production of a particular "blocking" antibody, which reduces the symptoms of allergy when the substance is encountered in the future." rel="tooltip">immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visitAllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us onFacebook,PinterestandTwitter.
