Halloween can be a frightful time for parents of kids with allergies and asthma. Nut-filled candy isn’t the only bogeyman that can ruin the fun. Allergy and asthma triggers can hide in other, unexpected places, too, from dusty costumes to leering jack-o-lanterns. When people think of Halloween-associated allergies, they focus on candy and often overlook many other potential triggers, said Dr. Steven McEldowney, of Allergy and Asthma Care of Blakeney. By planning ahead, you can ensure not only safe treats, but also safe costumes, make up, accessories, and decorations. Dr. McEldowney suggests watching out for these six sneaky triggers to keep Halloween sneeze-, wheeze- and reaction-free.

The new school year means new clothes, new classes, new teachers - and the same old misery due to sneezing and wheezing for children who have allergies or asthma. From the class hamster to dust mites residing in carpet to germs from cold and flu viruses, asthma and allergy triggers lurk throughout the classroom.

Considered the most allergenic of all pollens, ragweed pops up throughout the East and Midwest starting in mid-August. One plant alone can produce up to one billion pollen grains, and each grain can travel more than 100 miles. One in 10 Americans is affected by the sniffling, sneezing and itching of ragweed allergies. Dr. Steven McEldowney of Allergy and Asthma Care of Blakeney is an allergist, a doctor who specializes in treating people with hay fever, as well as asthma and other allergies. Dr. McEldowney and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) suggest those who suffer from hay fever follow these six steps for relief