Health Tip: Protect Against Peanut Reactions

Suggestions to avoid deadly food allergy problems

January 21, 2011 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- If your child is allergic to peanuts or nuts, strict precautions can help prevent a life-threatening reaction.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions:

Ban nuts from your home, or take precautions to avoid cross-contamination of foods.
Avoid serving your child meals that you didn't make, or meals for which you haven't seen a complete ingredient list.
Talk to all food service people in a restaurant about the nut allergy. Before you eat, make sure they're confident they can avoid cross-contamination.
Prepare your child's snacks and meals for school, and for outings with friends.
Have the child or caregiver carry an epinephrine pen. Prepare an action plan, in the event of anaphylaxis, for your child's teachers, principal or day-care workers.