Health Tip: Protect Against Peanut Reactions

(HealthDay News) -- If your child is allergic to peanuts or nuts, strict precautions can help prevent a life-threatening reaction.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions:

• Ban nuts from your home, or take precautions to avoid cross-contamination of foods.
• Avoid serving your child meals that you didn't make, or meals for which you haven't seen a complete ingredient list.
• Talk to all food service people in a restaurant about the nut allergy. Before you eat, make sure they're confident they can avoid cross-contamination.
• Prepare your child's snacks and meals for school, and for outings with friends.
• Have the child or caregiver carry an epinephrine pen. Prepare an action plan, in the event of anaphylaxis, for your child's teachers, principal or day-care workers.