The final few days of the school year are in reach – or they’ve recently passed. The calendar may finally be less busy, or, perhaps, it’s now full with a different kind of activity from camps to trips to playdates. Either way, the shift in routine doesn’t change the need for allergy awareness and preparation. It might just change some aspects of your usual management plan a bit.
Whether this is the first time you’ve approached a summer with food allergies, or just the most recent time, creating a checklist can be helpful. You can start with the items below.
Sun Protection
Remember, allergens can show up in all sorts of unexpected places. Although you can find plenty of options for sunscreen free of the top 9 allergens in most places, there may be some that you’ll need to avoid. Take the time to research the ingredients of common brands and make a list of safe options for you or your family.
Post-Sun Skincare
If you’re looking to moisturize your skin after a long day outdoors, be sure to verify that the lotion you're grabbing is free of your allergens. Tree nut oils, dairy, soy, and even wheat can be common ingredients in skincare products. Read your labels. Look for brands that are free of your allergens.
(By the way, are your lips feeling a bit dry from the sun and outdoor fun? Our lip balm might be right up your alley. Check it out here.)
On-the-Go Snacks, Drinks, & Meals
It might be summer, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your go-go-go pace has slowed. You’re on the run to different destinations than you did during the school year, but you’re still on the go. Stock up on easy to grab-and-go snacks, drinks, and quick meals. Extra points if you find items that can survive the heat of being left behind in the car or the dampness of sitting in a cooler of defrosting ice packs.
You’ll find some recipes to get you started here: Grab & Go Allergy Friendly Snacks, Hit the Trail, and Summer Meals.
Grab & Go – Med Pack Edition
We simply can’t say it often enough – you should always have your auto-injector with you at all times. When you’re at the beach. When you’re at the amusement park. When you’re hiking the trails. When you’re in the kayak. When you’re in the yard, the pool, at camp, and everything else in between.
Sure, lots of summer activities are easier to enjoy when we’ve got our hands free. Don’t forget to take along your auto-injectors though. You’ll find a wide array of options for carrying cases from insulated bags (like the sort originally designed for diabetic individuals to keep their insulin at the right temperature on the go) to small neoprene sleeves that slip on your ankle or buckle around your waist. If your allergy action plan includes any other medication, make sure you’ve got that on hand as well.
While we’re on the subject of your auto-injector, let’s talk about heat. Epinephrine is sensitive to light and extreme temperatures. Your auto-injectors should be kept at room temperature. The temperature inside your car at any time of year, but especially the summer months, can get too extreme. Don’t leave them in the car.
Ask The Questions
There will be playdates with new friends and old friends. There will be ice cream trucks and quick trips for a sweet treat at the county fair. There will be day trips with camp. There will be lots of activity and opportunities for your allergic child (or you!) to experience things that are outside your normal day-to-day menu and activities. Ask questions. Ask to read labels.
Even if you’re holding up the line at the ice cream truck checking out the ingredient lists of the Sonic the Hedgehog ice pop – read the label. Read it every time. If you’re eating out, follow the same common sense guidelines you do the rest of the year. If you’re attending a summer cook-out, bring along an allergy-friendly dish to share and pack some extra options for the allergic person in your family.
Have Fun
Just like any other time of year, a little preparation can go a long way to keep you safe and let you jump into the fray of normal activity. Don’t let your allergies hold you back. Read labels. Bring your auto-injector. Know your allergy action plan. Ask questions. And have fun.
