Learn the ABCs of safeguarding your allergy kid.

As I’ve said on many occasions, we, as parents, are our children’s first and foremost educators. And it’s crucial to teach our kids about how to handle their allergies early on, so that good, safe practices are instilled in them before they enter their teenage and adult years, when we’re not there to supervise their every move.

How to do that? Well, it’s critical that we parents first understand how to do that, so I’ve come up with a few rules that correspond with the ABC’s to help. (Before you get overwhelmed, know that they stop at “E”!).

And they are:

A is for Avoidance. The first thing to know is to keep your child away from anything that contains their allergen.

B is for Be Aware. It’s critical to understand the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, so that you’re aware in the event one starts. (See my first blog post in the Severe Allergies 101 series for these.)

C is for Communication. Tell every adult and caregiver about your child’s allergy, so that they are aware and can help protect him or her.

D is for Doctor. If you suspect allergies and have not been to a doctor yet, make that appointment NOW!

E is for Emergency. When a severe allergic reaction starts, it’s an emergency. So be ready to ACT FAST. (This is when the Allergy Action Plan comes into play. Read about it here.)

This is just a glimpse at each of the letters. You can read the additional tips in the official document on the AllerMates website. Feel free to download copies (for free) for family, friends and caregivers, or to serve as a reminder for you. : )

Iris

P.S. Want more easy-to-understand tips for caring for your allergic child? Sign up for my newsletter, and I’ll get you up to speed!