Home Live Well Blog Family and You Curious About Teal Pumpkins? They’re for an Allergy-Free Halloween. Curious About Teal Pumpkins? They’re for an Allergy-Free Halloween. Halloween should make you think of kids, costumes, and candy — not a trip to the emergency room. 10/12/2021 But for children with severe food allergies, a fun-size candy bar could be life-threatening. Which is why you may see teal pumpkins by doors this Halloween, and even choose to set one out yourself. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that nearly five percent of children under the age of 5 suffer from food allergies. They also found the number of food allergies in children under 18 increased 18% from 1997 to 2007. The most common allergens are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. Reactions often appear within minutes. There are treatments for the most common symptoms, such as hives, wheezing, and stomach pain. Severe allergies, though, can affect breathing and blood circulation – what’s called “anaphylaxis.” It can lead to coma or even death if it’s not treated immediately with epinephrine (often injected with an “epi pen”). Having children with food allergies takes vigilance. Families often limit what foods come into their homes or where their children eat. But trick-or-treating is another story. Teal Pumpkin = Allergy-Free Halloween The Teal Pumpkin Project®, developed by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), is a movement to create happy, safe Halloweens for all children. It encourages offering non-food items on Halloween. Placing a teal pumpkin outside your house marks it as safe for food allergy sufferers. You can also register your house on the FARE website and download free resources – like sign, flyers, and stickers – to help alert trick-or-treaters. There are plenty of fun giveaways that don’t involve food. Many are available for a low cost at discount stores or online. Here are some non-food options, courtesy of FARE: Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces Bubbles Halloween erasers or pencil toppers Mini slinkies Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers Bouncy balls Finger puppets or novelty toys Spider rings Vampire fangs Playing cards Bookmarks Stickers Use care: some non-food items, such as moldable clay, may contain wheat allergens. Consider latex-free items to protect against potential latex allergies. Even if you “go teal,” you can still offer candy for trick-or-treaters without allergies. Store the sweets away from non-food items to avoid possible contamination. Clearly label each area if you’re letting children choose their own treats. More Resources for Food Allergies: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Cleveland Clinic Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Why ConnectiCare Find a Doctor Our Plans Resources Live Well Individuals and Families Medicare Advantage Medicare Supplement Media Center Pharmacy Blog ConnectiCare Centers Contact Us Legal Information Careers Glossary Access the ConnectiCare portal Sign in Legal Nondiscrimination Policy Important Legal Notice Site Requirements Privacy Policy Interoperability Information LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE: Español Português Polski 中文 Italiano Français Kreyòl Ayisyen Русский Tiếng Việt العربية 한국어 Shqip हिंदी Tagalog λληνικά ខ្មែរ ગુજરાતી ©2021 ConnectiCare. All Rights Reserved. Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be substituted for regular consultation with your health care provider. If you have any concerns about your health, please contact your health care provider's office. Also, this information is not intended to imply that services or treatments described in the information are covered benefits under your plan. Please refer to your Membership Agreement, Certificate of Coverage, Benefit Summary, or other plan documents for specific information about your benefits coverage.