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SEAIC Issues Halloween Guidance to Prevent Severe Allergy Reactions in Children

The advisory prioritizes rapid, practical steps to recognize anaphylaxis, administer epinephrine with an autoinjector, then contact 112.

Overview

  • Spain’s allergy society activated a seasonal notice for Halloween and All Saints, citing heightened risks from sweets, costumes and face paints for children with food or skin allergies.
  • Milk, egg and tree nuts are flagged as the most frequent candy allergens linked to severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, with some guidance also noting fruits as a risk.
  • Parents are urged to read labels, avoid unlabeled treats, carry known‑safe candies, keep wrappers for quick checks and ask hosts which foods are safe for allergic children.
  • To reduce cross‑contamination and skin flares, experts recommend separate clearly labeled containers, good hand hygiene, avoiding latex in food prep and makeup, and using cotton layers under costumes for atopic skin.
  • Caregivers should recognize warning signs, give intramuscular epinephrine with an autoinjector and then call 112, while children with allergies carry rescue medication and usual asthma treatment; dentists separately caution that sticky or acidic candies raise cavity risk.