Spring has sprung, and Easter is almost here! While Easter is the time for family gatherings, pretty pastels, eggs, candy, and bunnies for allergy sufferers this can be a bad combination. Allergies can quickly turn a fun, family holiday into a life-threatening nightmare. Allergies can be a nuisance or dangerous depending on the individual, so it should never be taken lightly. Typical allergy attack symptoms include sneezing, hives, rashes, itchy, watery eyes, wheezing and can lead to asthma or anaphylaxis in severe cases. While allergies can be very serious, there are steps you can take in order to minimize the chances of an allergy attack and have an allergy-free Easter. Nobody likes to have allergies, and there are many triggers that can cause an allergic reaction, especially during spring. Check out these 7 tips in order to ensure that you and your loved ones have a safe and allergy-free Easter.
1. Be cautious with food items
Many people can be allergic to eggs, milk, wheat, peanuts, and even chocolate! So be sure that all food items are free of allergy causing ingredients, or fill the basket with non-food items. You can add in books, sporting goods, stickers, novelty items, or toys.
2. An egg alternative
If someone has an egg allergy, they can still enjoy the creative side of the holiday. Instead of dying and decorating regular eggs, decorate eggs that are made out of wood or plastic instead! In addition, use natural dyes if someone has sensitivities to food coloring.
3. Know your flowers
While many love to bring inside a beautiful bouquet of flowers, know which flowers to bring in and which ones to leave outside. Some of the top flowers for allergy sufferers are hosta, tulip, iris, begonia, geranium, periwinkle, tulip, hydrangea, rose, daffodil, zinnia and lily flowers.
4. Watch out for pets
While bunnies and other animals are cute, they can cause an allergic reaction in many individuals. Most are allergic to the dander and saliva, so stay away from any animal that is known to cause allergies and be sure to always wash your hands after handling.
5. Be mindful of the pollen
Easter egg hunts are a lot of fun, unfortunately, for someone who is allergic to pollen and other elements from the outdoors, outdoor fun can quickly turn to a miserable experience. Pollen counts are highest between 5 am and 10 am, so be sure to schedule the hunt for the afternoon.
6. Close those windows
While fresh air inside the house, keep those windows closed this Easter holiday. Spring’s most pervasive allergen, tree pollen, is everywhere during springtime. So while it might be tempting to crack a window, keep them closed in order to prevent pollen from polluting the space.
7. Be prepared
Sometimes despite attempts for an allergy-free Easter, emergencies do happen. If someone has severe, life-threatening allergies an epinephrine autoinjector or an EpiPen should always be carried. You never know when an allergic reaction will strike, so it’s best to always be prepared.