During the holiday season, we gather to participate in lifelong traditions and enjoy good company, family, and food. Our team at the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and holiday season. Because we want you and your family to be happy and healthy this time of year, our Board Certified specialists have provided some helpful allergy tips to keep everyone safe!

Recognize Allergies Can Be Serious

For people with allergies, refraining from eating certain foods and avoiding certain materials like latex is necessary and not an option. Those suffering from severe allergies can sustain extremely harmful side effects or allergy-related attacks if they are not careful about what they eat or what materials they are exposed to on a daily basis.

Communicate About Allergies

Whether you’re hosting a get-together or plan to be a guest, communicating about any allergies is important, especially for children. Hosting does give you control over what’s being served and the ability to plan allergen-free safe foods, so ask your guests if there are any allergy concerns. The same holds true for guests who plan on bringing their own foods or items to share.

Practice Safe Preparation

Always practice safe habits when preparing food and decorations for your celebration. This includes washing your hands and work station when handling foods. If you or any of your guests have latex allergies, be mindful of any decorations you use and use latex-free gloves when preparing and serving food. You should also check the labels of any ingredients you plan to use.

Avoid Cross-Contamination

For people with severe food allergies, cross-contamination can be enough to trigger a dangerous reaction. You can prevent this by washing your hands, utensils, and work station after eating or handling food. Prepare safe foods, seal them, and keep them separate before making foods with potential allergens. When serving, use separate utensils and be careful to not mix them. Labeling unsafe foods – such as those containing allergens like nuts, dairy, wheat, or shellfish - and keeping an eye on children with allergies can also help prevent cross-contamination.

Be Mindful of Children with Allergies

There is a lot of activity during holiday get-togethers, so it’s important to keep an eye on children who have allergies. Consider seating arrangements so that parents can keep an eye on children to avoid potential problems. If there is food around the house, use labels and keep unsafe foods out of reach of children. You can also encourage guests to wash their hands or use wipes after eating. Disposing of uneaten foods, dirty plates, and used napkins can also prevent children from touching or eating things they shouldn’t. If there are holiday celebrations at school, make sure to speak with teachers and school staff to ensure they are aware of your child's needs.

Mange Allergies and Asthma and Enjoy the Holidays

With the holiday season upon us, the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia hopes everyone stays safe and healthy. Our specialists are available during this time of year to help you better understand and treat any symptoms you may be experiencing so you can find relief and focus on enjoying time with family and friends

To learn more about our allergy and asthma services and how we can help you, contact us today. We offer same-day appointments and have multiple office locations around the Atlanta metro area.