Staying Safe with Epilepsy on Halloween!

Halloween is coming up soon and many people are excited to carve pumpkins, put on fun costumes and go trick-or-treating. However, if you have epilepsy, Halloween can sometimes be challenging and maybe even a little bit scary. But there’s no need to be scared, just check out our tips below!

Take your Medications:

• Since missed medication is one of the main triggers for seizures, it is important to remember to take your medication
• Even though Halloween can be a little chaotic and it may be easy to forget to take your medication, you should take your medications on time and as prescribed to you by your doctor

Get Enough Sleep:

• Since sleep deprivation is one of the main triggers for seizures, it is important to get enough sleep
• Even though Halloween can be a lot of fun, try not to deter too much from your regular sleep routine

Avoid Triggers:

• It is important to try to avoid known triggers for your seizures
• For example, if you have photosensitive epilepsy, avoid going to places that use strobe lighting or flickering or flashing lights, such as haunted houses
• You should also avoid alcohol and drugs as these are known to exacerbate seizures

Trick-or-Treating:

• Be sure to trick-or-treat with an adult who is aware that you have epilepsy and knows what to do if you have a seizure
• You can also get an older child who knows you have epilepsy to be your “buddy” and stay with you while you trick-or-treat

Reduce Stress:

• Sometimes, Halloween can be stressful, which is known to exacerbate seizures
• Prevent stress by keeping to local areas and well-known environments and avoiding unfamiliar places

Medical Identification and Safety Devices:

• Medical identification can be helpful because that way the others around you will be aware that you have epilepsy
• Safety devices, such as seizure monitors, may be helpful as well, so that your caregiver will be notified if you have a seizure
• You can also try creating a card that explains that you have epilepsy, what to do if you have a seizure and contains other pertinent information, such as your emergency contacts, your medication list, etc. and keeping it with you while trick-or-treating

Dietary Therapy:

• If you are on a dietary therapy like the Ketogenic Diet, you may not be able to partake in eating candy
• Try making keto-friendly treats at home instead of trick-or-treating
• You can also still go trick-or-treating but at the end of the night, you can “trade” your candy with your parents for non-food items, such as games and toys

We hope that everyone has a fun and enjoyable Halloween this year!