| As your child grows up, you will want to keep them | | | | their allergy medicines or apply emollients before |
| safe, but it is also important that they don't feel | | | | going to bed |
| different or miss out on activities, you will need to | | | | Make sure your child knows what to do if they have |
| weigh up the pro and cons of every situation or | | | | an allergic reaction |
| occasion, for example, do you let your child have fun | | | | Let your child know that you are only a phone call |
| time at a party or on a day trip but run the risk of a | | | | away and make sure you can be contacted easily |
| reaction? Or do you say no? Your decision may | | | | that evening, don't keep checking up though- arrange |
| depend on how well you can predict the severity of | | | | to call once in the middle of the evening to check |
| the reaction or how easily you will be able to take | | | | everything okay |
| precautions.Your child having allergies causes problems | | | | Family holidays |
| for you with each decision. | | | | All holiday need good planning but even more so |
| Most serious allergic reactions happen out of the | | | | when your child has an allergy. A ` Holiday Campaign` |
| home, so keeping your child's medicines handy should | | | | report by Allergy UK in July 2007 found that over |
| be a matter of routine, remain vigilant, whatever the | | | | 50% of people have restricted their holidays because |
| activity or situation, especially with young children. | | | | of allergies and asthma with over 67% of people |
| Eating out | | | | experiencing an allergic reaction while away |
| Restaurants can cater for most food allergies, but | | | | There are many challenges to face in a foreign |
| eating out can be more difficult if your child has | | | | country, so some parents find it easier to holiday in |
| multiple allergies. | | | | Great Britain, however, all holidays can be problematic |
| Choose the restaurant carefully, e.g. no Oriental or | | | | if you don't take precautions |
| Indian food if your child is allergic to nuts, even going | | | | Plan ahead |
| out for tea can be a problem as cakes and biscuits | | | | Ask your travel agent if any hotels can cater for |
| may contain eggs, wheat, milk and /or nuts | | | | people on a restricted diet, if your child has multiple |
| At canteens and self-services counters there may be | | | | or severe allergies, self-catering may be the safest |
| no one to ask about ingredients, go at quieter, | | | | option |
| off-peak times and choose basic foods like a jacket | | | | Some bed and breakfast or holiday cottages can |
| potato | | | | cater for people with allergies, especially gluten or |
| Always ask to speak to the manager or chef when | | | | dairy, search for suitable places on the internet |
| you arrive and tell them about your child's allergy so | | | | Make sure you stay near medical facilities and check |
| that the food can be kept separate, warn them | | | | the location of the nearest GPs and hospitals when |
| about cross-contamination from utensils, spillages, etc | | | | you arrive |
| In the case of toddlers and very young children, | | | | Some airlines operate nut-free catering policies, while |
| most restaurants are happy for you to take your | | | | others don't serve peanuts but wont stop other |
| own snacks with you | | | | passengers from bringing snacks on board, speak to |
| Ask about everything you order, trust your instincts- | | | | the airline in advance to see what precautions they |
| if a meal doesn't look right, send it back for the chef | | | | take |
| to check, make it clear how dangerous mistakes can | | | | Confirm with the airline that you will be carrying |
| be | | | | adrenaline auto-injectors (epiPens or Anapens), and |
| With nut allergies, it may be better if everyone at | | | | get a letter from your doctor explaining why you are |
| your table is also nut-free to avoid problems with any | | | | carrying them, you may need to show this letter at |
| spillages | | | | security control or check-in |
| Get your child used to not eating certain foods when | | | | Let the cabin crew know about your child's allergy |
| they are away from home, e.g. ice cream | | | | when you arrive on the aeroplane |
| If you have young children, you may prefer to take | | | | Ask your child's GP or allergy specialist about any |
| your own booster seat as restaurants highchairs are | | | | apecial precautions you should take on holiday |
| not usually completely clean | | | | Ensure that your travel insurance covers allergy |
| If you find one restaurant is helpful, become a regular | | | | treatments, Asthma UK can provide you with details |
| there, ask for the same staff and order the same | | | | of insurance plans for people with asthma, if you are |
| food. | | | | travelling in the European Union, obtain a European |
| Birthday parties | | | | Health Insurance Card from your local post office |
| All children love a birthday party, but food allergies, | | | | Pack your essentials |
| latex allergy, eczema or even dust allergy can affect | | | | If you are travelling abroad you may be able to buy |
| their enjoyment | | | | a translation card to explain your child's condition in |
| When you reply to the invitation, mention that your | | | | the country's native language, translation cards are |
| child has an allergy, some parties may cause more | | | | available from Allergy UK and Kidsware, if you are |
| problems than others, e.g. arts and crafts parties for | | | | travelling to a country whose language isn't covered, |
| children with an allergy to glue or paint | | | | find a reputable translation agency to translate |
| Children with food allergies can feel left out if they | | | | phases such as ` My child is severely allergic to...` |
| cant eat the same food as their peers, ask what | | | | Pack supplies of food to eat at the airport or on the |
| food they will be serving as you may find that your | | | | journey in case you are delayed, also pack some for |
| child will be able to eat some of it, if not, bring your | | | | the holiday and journey home, the less shopping you |
| own alternatives, e.g. nut-free chocolate spread | | | | have to do while away, the better. If you do buy |
| sandwiches, dairy-free ice cream or wheat-free | | | | abroad, check the labels carefully-even well-known |
| cakes | | | | brands may contain different ingredients in another |
| When you arrive at the party, remind the parents | | | | country and may be produced in a different factory |
| about your child's allergy and, in the case of food | | | | If your child has house dust mite allergy, pack |
| allergies, double-check the food on offer, remember | | | | anti-allergy bedding |
| that food intended for the parents may not be | | | | Ensure you have enough medicines for your holiday |
| suitable for your child | | | | plus some extra, as getting replacements may be |
| Teach your child to ask about the ingredients before | | | | difficult abroad, keep the medicines out of the heat |
| they eat the party food and to only eat wrapped | | | | and cold and store them carefully |
| items they have eaten before | | | | Make sure your child wears medical ID jewellery, as |
| Always make sure your child has a supply of | | | | this is an internationally recognised way of notifying |
| medicines with them and that they, or a responsible | | | | foreign doctors that your child has an allergy or any |
| adult, know how to use them | | | | medical condition |
| If your child has dust allergy, remind them not to sit | | | | Children's holiday camps |
| on the floor | | | | As your child gets older, you will want them to have |
| If you are worried, stay at the party but keep in the | | | | the same experiences as their peers, holiday camps |
| background, or lave your child under the watchful | | | | and adventure holidays can give your child |
| eye of another trustworthy adult | | | | self-confidence and new skills, and help them meet |
| Sleepovers | | | | new friends |
| Sleeping over at a friend's is a big step in | | | | Allergy camps |
| independence, but also a big worry for parents, by | | | | Asthma UK`s Kick Asthma Adventure Camp is the |
| the time your child is old enough to go to a | | | | only camp in the UK that caters especially for children |
| sleepover, they should be ready to take some | | | | with allergies, asthma or eczema, this week long |
| responsibility for their allergy management | | | | adventure holiday is supervised by fully trained |
| Make the first sleepover at your house or at a good | | | | volunteers and supported by healthcare professionals, |
| friend's house not far away, keep the sleepovers | | | | it has an educational message as well as physical and |
| small at first, with only two or three children | | | | social activities, as there are sessions on managing |
| If your child is allergic to house dust mites, they wont | | | | medicines and coping with an asthma attack, it is |
| be able to sleep on the floor, their bedding needs to | | | | suitable for children from six to 17 years and is held in |
| be clean and dust-free, so keep a spare set of | | | | a variety of locations around the country |
| anti-allergy bedding covers for sleepovers | | | | With any holiday are outing of any kind it is always |
| Provide clear instructions for the other parents about | | | | best to be well prepared for any situation and if you |
| your child's allergies and triggers, but don't worry | | | | need further advice it is always best to ask a |
| them unnecessarily about the responsibility | | | | healthcare professional.Having allergies causes |
| Discuss your child1`s evening routine with the other | | | | problems but none that cannot be sorted out for |
| parents, for example your child may need to take | | | | you. |