Sports and Group Activities for Children with Peanut Allergy

Before the activity

• Find out whether the activity involves group meals, snacks or craft materials
• Bring your own alternative food and drinking water, so you do not have to share food at short notice
• Check that emergency items are carried with you and are within their expiry date, and that the people with you know how to use them
• Talk to the teacher or coach in charge about the allergenic food and what to watch out for

Things to watch during the activity

Some people are more likely to react when they eat a particular food after exercise, or when they exercise hard straight after eating. So it is best to avoid trying a food that may cause an allergy right before or right after hard exercise. When activity levels are high, take care to drink enough and rest. If itching, raised patches on the skin, chest tightness or trouble breathing appear, stop the activity at once and tell someone.

After the activity

Once home, watch for symptoms that appear later, and note what was eaten and what activity was done that day. If anything unusual appears, see a doctor promptly and tell the doctor what happened, so that future arrangements can be adjusted.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions.