The Food Allergy War: Preparing for the Teen Years
Arm your child now because what my family has deemed the "independence
adventure" is right around the corner. This is actually an all-out war
against food allergies and it reaches dizzying heights as your child
hits puberty. The result can be pretty or pretty ugly depending upon
which road you've taken along the way and the weapons your child has
amassed during childhood. Regardless of your child's allergies and age,
this is what you need to be doing right now.
Weapon #1: Epinephrine: Get Some
It's not just for grown-ups, you know. That kindergartener is more
responsible than you think. If your child's doctor has written a
prescription, then fill it, keep it updated and CARRY IT! Know how and
when to use it, and train your child (see below) to do the same.
Weapon #2: Your Example: Make it Good
Underline, highlight and memorize this one. Your child is watching you.
If you let him eat a product that "may contain_______," then you're
setting the stage for failure. Your child will do the same thing someday
when you're not around. If you don't ask questions at restaurants, make
risky choices and don't walk away even when it's inconvenient and
uncomfortable, your child will do the same thing. Do you want that?
Forget about age 3; think about age 17.
Weapon #3: Educate Your Child
Don't sugar coat food allergies. Your child needs to know how serious
this issue is and how to arm himself. Be wise, of course, according to
your child's age, but don't wait until middle school to show junior how
to use an EpiPen. Even a toddler can practice with an EpiPen trainer.Get
books and CDs from FAAN and don't stop when you think he/she gets it.
There are plenty of resources for adolescents, pre-teens (my favorites
are Maya and ....and Food Allergy Fact or Fiction) and teenagers. Plan
your family vacation around a FAAN Teen Conference. No kidding. Do it at
least once. It's worth it.
Weapon #4: Educate Your Child's Friends
Those little people have power! Kids are fairly flexible, and often more
considerate than adults when it comes to protecting their peers. Start
in preschool educating your child's classmates and keep on going. Create
an atmosphere of peer advocacy. See 00 for more information on school
education. If you set the stage properly, your child will be comfortable
talking about his/her allergies and training friends independently by
the time junior high arrives.
Weapon #5: Emergency Protocol
What if your child gets hives after eating; what if you think your child
has ingested an allergen and has no symptoms; what if your child
suddenly gets a mysterious rash? What if the babysitter calls and is
unsure about whether your child is having a reaction? What if you think
your child is having a reaction but the symptoms are different than what
you've typically seen? What if, what if, what if? Now stop
hyperventilating and get a plan. Talk over these questions with your
child's doctor and write down instructions. Also, realize that
anaphylaxis can look like an asthma attack. So if your child has asthma,
talk about this with the allergist as well. Keep in mind, however, that
teachers and caregivers need simplicity. While you and your child should
understand what to do when all of those "gray areas," appear, try to
keep only A and B options open for others.
Weapon #6: A Plan: Have One
Planning ahead is something learned. Never "wing it" when it comes to a
day away from home. Pack food from home, snacks, meds and written
instructions and talk about the plan. Grocery shop and read labels
together. If you're eating out, talk about where, what safety measures
you've taken, etc. Let your child listen to phone conversations with
restaurants, or check menus online together. Discuss, talk, decide,
coordinate and collaborate. Include even your toddler in these plans.
Once your child is a teen, you should be able to ask, "What's your
plan?" and know that he/she has thought about these issues.
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