Health Tip: Inform Your Allergic Child

If your child has a food allergy that's severe enough to make the child sick if the food is eaten, the child has to learn about the allergy and what can be done to prevent symptoms.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers these suggestions:

• Make sure all family members, teachers and caregivers understand your child's food allergy, that the child cannot have even the smallest amount of that food, and the severity of the allergy.
• Teach your child about the allergy so he or she can avoid harmful foods.
• Work with a registered dietitian to make sure your child eats a nutritious, safe diet.
• Check all food labels to make sure there aren't any ingredients that could make your child sick.