Valentine’s day is quickly approaching. This means candies
and flowers galore. But, what if you live in Houston, Texas and have allergies?
There are some simple tips and tricks to get you through this holiday without
having an allergic reaction. After all, I bet the dinner you and your special
someone have planned at a romantic restaurant is way better than the hospital
food you’d have to settle for.
Check the label. Valentine’s candy may be processed at a
different facility than their regular-sized versions, don’t assume sometime is
safe to eat just because it has been safe to eat in the past. A little extra
work will save you aggravation later.
Bake your own treats at home, instead of buying something
from a Houston bakery. If you make something yourself, you can be sure it does
not contain anything you are allergic to. Valentine’s day is busy time of year
for bakers, while they can normally be trusted to follow your specific dietary
instructions they may miss them with so much chaos going on this time of year.
If you want to get in the holiday spirit, heart shaped molds can be purchased
online.
Don’t forget to talk to your date about your food allergy.
Kissing someone who had recently eaten something you are allergic to can put
you at risk of going into anaphylaxis. Always bring your epi-pen with you, even
on a date.
If you or your date has an allergy to pollen, consider
buying something besides long-stemmed red roses. Silk flowers provide the same
look as the real ones but are non-allergenic and have the added bonus of
lasting forever. There are countless other (and more personal gifts) to give
instead of flowers. How about a picture frame of a memorable date? Or a mug
with a meaningful television quote on it? The sky is the limit. And on the plus
side, thinking outside of the box is cheaper and more meaningful than a trip to
the Houston florists.
Having an allergy does not have to limit you. In fact, it
forces you to think beyond the cliché. If you have any questions about managing
your allergies, your Houston allergist is always available to answer questions.
They want you to have a safe and happy Valentine’s day.
