When someone in the house gets sick, everything shifts—schedules, routines, and especially meals. But when you add food allergies into the mix, sick days become even more complicated. Jaxson tested positive for Flu A this week and we had to figure out how to keep things as safe and comforting as possible.

Finding Allergy-Safe Comfort Foods

One of the biggest challenges when Jaxson is sick is finding foods that are gentle on his stomach while also being free of his allergens. Some traditional comfort foods, like chicken noodle soup, often contain allergens like wheat, dairy, or soy. Instead, we rely on a few allergy-friendly staples:

✔ Broth-based soup – We look for brands we can trust and when it comes to stock, my go to is Kitchen Basics. They have simple ingredients like Honey instead of sugars. I use the chicken and beef stock!
✔ Mashed sweet potatoes – A soft, nutritious option that’s easy to eat.
✔ Smoothies – If Jaxson doesn’t have much of an appetite, a smoothie with fruit and milk or Chobani drink can be a great way to get nutrients in.
✔ Simple snacks – You guessed it, those fig bars came back for when he needed something light.

Medications & Allergies: Always Ask Medical Professionals!

A surprising challenge with sick days is finding over-the-counter medicine that doesn’t contain allergens. Some liquid medications have milk derivatives, artificial dyes, or flavorings that aren’t safe for many with allergies. There are also some prescription medications that may have allergens like Soy. Jaxson was prescribed Tamiflu and I made sure to ask his Pediatrician if it was compatible with his allergies. As a double check, I also asked the Pharmacist. After discussing with our allergist, we decided to pause his Xolair dose for a few days. With everything his body is already dealing with this week, we felt it was best not to add anything extra for now.

Other things to consider:

✔ Always double-check the labels—even on medications we’ve used before, since formulas can change.
✔ Ask the pharmacist for dye-free or allergen-free alternatives.
✔ Stick with brands we trust and keep a supply of safe options at home.

Keeping the House (and Twilight) in Check

When Jaxson is sick, we also have to be mindful of environmental triggers. Since he’s mildly allergic to our cat, Twilight, we take a few extra precautions:

✔ Keeping her off his bed – Normally, Twilight sleeps at the foot of his bed, but during a cold or flu, we encourage her to nap elsewhere.
✔ Running an humidifier – This helps with his congestion and sore throat. The one we have is an older model, but it is a cool mist humidifier with a humidistat. It turns on and off based on the maximum humidity in the room.
✔ Extra cleaning – More vacuuming, hand-washing, and wiping down surfaces keep germs and allergens from piling up.

Rest, Hydration, and Lots of Love

At the end of the day, sick days in an allergy household require a little extra effort, but the goal is the same: making sure Jaxson feels as comfortable as possible. Whether it’s keeping his meals safe, ensuring his medicine is allergen-free, or managing pet exposure, we’ve found ways to make it work. And of course, Twilight is always nearby, keeping a close watch on her favorite human—even if it’s from just outside the bedroom door!

Things I mentioned in this post:

Kitchen Basics Stock https://amzn.to/40Z8vji

Humidifier – this is similar to ours https://amzn.to/4hzoUlL

Motrin (Dye Free) – https://amzn.to/4137lnc

Disclosure: clicking on the affiliate links above will take you to Amazon. No pressure, just sharing the brands, but thanks for supporting my website!