Updated December 14, 2014.

Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.

“It’s the thought that counts,” is a timeless sentiment I promote during the holidays and at celebrations when it comes to gift giving and receiving. If you’re giving a gift to someone with a food allergy, you not only want to be thinking about whether said gift is needed, would be liked, or even wanted, you also need to consider the safety of the gift, too. There are lovely gifts like children's books and kitchen gadgets that are safe, useful and pleasing.

When giving a gift, the last thing you want to do is create more stress for your recipient, or worse, a food allergy reaction. Believe it or not, there are some gifts that shouldn’t be given, especially to someone with a food allergy. Here are 6 potentially dangerous gift ideas you'll want to avoid giving your host, friend, or family member with a food allergy:

Food, homemade or other: Unless you are super-tuned in to your gift recipient’s food allergy and can cook, bake, or buy around it, stay away from the idea of food as a gift. That includes chocolates, homemade cookies, bars and cakes, as well as commercially-prepared gift baskets. These often contain a myriad of food allergens like milk, egg, and nuts, and who knows about any cross-contamination in the making of it. One exception to this rule is a vegetable or fruit basket, free from nuts or other food additions.

Candles: Some candles are soy-based, and considered desirable for their clean burn. They also tend to be free of a sooty residue.

However, if you’re allergic to soy (depending on sensitivity level), paraffin wax candles may be a better choice. Be sure to check the ingredients on the label to find out about any potential food allergens. While not a food allergy, some individuals may be sensitive to the fragrance of a candle, which can set off asthma and other symptoms (headache, sneezing, trouble breathing, etc).       

Body lotions, creams, gels and oils for the skin: While these are a great option for moisturizing skin and making it smell nice, body lotions, like sunscreen, may be made with nut-based oils. Read the complete list of ingredients and steer clear from any unrefined nut oils. While refined, or purified, nut oils generally do not cause a problem, always err on the side of caution. Common names for food, like brazil nuts, may be expressed as their Latin name (Bertholletia excelsa) on the ingredient list in cosmetic products, especially those made in European countries.

Perfume, toilet waters, and Eau de Cologne. The fragrance in perfume can trigger an allergic reaction including headache, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, wheezing, and more. Contact dermatitis—or developing a rash when skin and perfume, food, or other substance come in contact with each other—is a fairly common sensitivity among individuals, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. About 2 million Americans suffer from cosmetic contact dermatitis. Some children with dermatitis also have a food allergy.

Hair care products: Shampoos, gels, sprays and other hair care products may contain food ingredients, particularly those products that focus on “natural” ingredients rather than chemicals.   Watch out for almond oil, milk or egg derivatives in shampoos, and macadamia nut oil in hair straightening balms.

Bath soaps: Soaps may contain food allergens such as sesame seed oil.

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Resources:

American Academy of Dermatology

The Anaphylaxis Campaign 2014, UK Fact Sheet on Cosmetics