The Allergy Card
One page a new babysitter, a grandparent, or a party host can actually read in the doorway: what he's allergic to, what "safe" means in your house, where the epinephrine is, and who to call. Fill it in below and print it. Nothing you type here leaves this page: it's not saved, not emailed, not sent to us.
The card preview after this form updates as you fill it in.
Allergy card
- Allergens
- not filled in
- Also avoid
Common cross-reactions, not separate diagnoses. Treat them as unsafe unless the allergist has cleared them.
- Also avoid (not an allergy)
- Gluten. Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are not IgE allergies: no anaphylaxis risk, no epinephrine. Avoidance still needs to be strict.
- Safe
- not filled in
- Watch for
- not filled in
- Epinephrine
- not filled in
- Emergency contact
- not filled in
If a reaction looks severe or you aren't sure: use the epinephrine first, then call 911. Do not wait to see if it gets worse.
Check every label, every time. · checkeverylabel.com ·
Two conversations the card doesn't cover
The card carries the facts. These carry the moment the facts have to come up out loud.
Telling a party host
"Quick heads up before Saturday: he has food allergies, [allergens]. We'll bring all his food and snacks, and he won't be eating anything there, so please don't feel like you have to make anything allergen-free for him. The only ask: let me know if any of those will be on the table, so we know to stay alert."
Correcting a grandparent or relative
"I know it feels like overkill. It isn't. One bite of the wrong thing is an ER visit or worse, and 'a little won't hurt him' is exactly how it happens. So nothing goes in his mouth that I didn't send or clear, and that includes the visits where he begs and you want to say yes. I need you on this every single time. He can't check labels yet. You and I are what he has."
This is a starting point, not a substitute for your child's written emergency action plan from your allergist. Print the card, keep it with the epinephrine, and give a copy to anyone watching him.