by: Jenna Martin
As Halloween approaches, kids of all ages are busy feverishly selecting their latest Halloween costume, day dreaming about the endless supply of sugary goodness that awaits them, and deciding on how they are going to carve their pumpkin. And while the spirit of Halloween is in the air so too is the concern of parents of children with epilepsy on how best to keep their child safe while trick-or-treating as well as how to reduce the likelihood of seizures.
Photosensitivity Epilepsy & Halloween Safety
Cindee Boller’s youngest daughter Megan, age 12, has photosensitive epilepsy which is triggered by visual stimuli. “Since her diagnosis several years ago we’ve been able to redirect Megan away from places where there are strobe lights such as haunted houses without really calling attention to it,” said Boller. “Our goal is to make sure she has fun on Halloween without feeling self-conscious about her epilepsy or fearful that she might have a seizure around her friends.” Boller admits that this Halloween may prove to be more difficult. “Megan is at the age where she wants to be more independent, which is completely healthy and normal. But, because she has epilepsy which can be triggered by any of a number of stimuli either my husband or I have to be there with her while she is trick-or-treating even if we follow the teenage rule of walking eighty paces behind.”
Megan’s Halloween spirit seems no less hampered by her avoidance of haunted houses or other flashing lights. With her close friends by her side and their awareness of her seizures and potential seizure triggers she feels more confident in her ability to trick-or-treat just like any other kid her age. “If there is a strobe light at one of the houses in our neighborhood my friends will understand that I can’t go to that house to trick-or-treat and we will go to the next house. It’s really not a big deal,” said Megan.
It’s All About the Candy, But What About Dietary Restrictions?
Children with epilepsy on the ketogenic diet or Modified Atkins diet have special dietary restrictions according to Dr. Eric Kossoff, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Both diets significantly restrict carbohydrates, and chocolate bars and other candy given out at Halloween are about as pure carbohydrates as you can buy. The temptations of cheating can seem almost insurmountable to some parents and trick or treating might be completely avoided.
Kossoff knows all too well the challenges parents of children on these diets face during Halloween. “Many ketogenic diet centers will have special Halloween parties at the hospital or an outside location as it can be difficult for children. Also, many of our families at Johns Hopkins on both diets will make their own treats (keto-friendly) at home.” He also encourages parents to have non-food items as treats available at home such as games, toys, and money, thus taking food out of the fun factor equation. “It’s always nice to start new Halloween family traditions, such as dressing up, watching scary movies as a family, and going to farms for pumpkin picking and hay rides. Eating doesn’t have to be part of any of those activities.”
As a mother of a son on the Modified Atkins diet, Susan Littlefield has first-hand experience with using non-food items as treats on Halloween. “Our son actually goes trick-or-treating for candy and then we buy his candy from him and reward him with a new game that he wants. We also have a Halloween party each year which I think our son likes a whole lot more than candy, but every child is different.”
However parents of children with epilepsy on special diets choose to help celebrate Halloween, both Kossoff and Littlefield agree that candy is a big No-No.
Click here - Epilepsy .com
Going trick-or-treating?
For many people, autumn events like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, attend parties, and eat yummy treats. These events are also opportunities to provide nutritious snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety.
Below are tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.
 | Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible. |
 | Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. |
 | Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you. |
 | Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat. |
 | Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don't run from house to house. |
| Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation. |
 | Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible. |
| Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses. |
 | Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe. |
 | Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls. |
| Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers. |
| Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. |
 | Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes. |
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