Allergy - Allergic to Valentine’s Day

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.

Food Allergies in a School Setting

Managing your child’s food allergies at a Houston, Texas school does not have to be the hair pulling experiencing it used to be.

·         Familiarize yourself with the schools current procedure for treating an allergic reaction

·         Provide the school with a copy of your child’s food allergy & anaphylaxis emergency care plan, created with the help of your child’s allergist. The plan should contain:

o   A list of all foods your child is allergic to

o   A list of all possible reactions

o   How each symptom should be treated

o   Contact information for your child’s allergist, other medical professionals your child sees and you

·         Provide the school with at least one (preferably two) epinephrine auto-injectors and any other medications used to treat an allergic reaction

o   If your child is able, they should carry an epinephrine auto-injector in their backpack. Texas public schools allow children to receive written permission to carry an epinephrine auto-injector, you should check with your child’s Houston school to confirm their policy

·         Meet with members of the school, such as the school nurse, teachers and administrators to discuss the severity and proper treatment of your child’s food allergy

·         Meet with the director of the food program at your child’s school to determine if your child will need to bring their lunch ever day or if a special lunch can be made for them

·         Meet with your child’s teacher to discuss strategies to avoid an allergic reaction in the classroom – this will be covered on next week’s blog post!