CHILD ALLERGY
Allergy in child help and answers...
Allergy
By Vanessa Rasmussen, © 2006-2008, All rights reserved.
Website
An
estimated 40-45 million Americans (15-20% of the population) have some type
of allergy and, in most people; these allergies first appear during infancy
or childhood. Allergies are the leading cause of poor health in children.The tendency to develop allergies is inherited
from parents. If one parent is allergic (has hay fever or allergic asthma)
the chance of a child having allergies is about 40 percent. If both parents
are allergic, the chance increases to nearly 75 percent. In some cases, there
is no evidence of a hereditary nature of the allergy.
Children's allergies can make life miserable.
They are caused by many different factors, from pet hair to pollen and dust.
Children's allergies can cause runny noses, itchy eyes and bouts of sneezing,
not to mention throat irritation.
The following are some pointers on potential
problem spots for children with allergies and quick tips to help children
and their parents effectively manage allergies.
- If allergy to foods such as milk, eggs or
peanuts is suspected, testing can be done by skin or blood tests at any
age. Skin testing can also be done for asthma and hay fever. The need for
testing depends on the extent and severity of the symptoms.
- Ninety-five percent of children's food allergies
are due to cow's milk protein, egg whites, wheat proteins, soy beans, shellfish,
fish, peanuts, and tree nuts (like walnuts). Other common allergens include
corn, peanut butter, citrus fruits, chocolate, and food additives.
- Allergies often cause nasal congestion which
hampers breathing patterns of children leading to various other defects.
Early treatment of the allergies causing the nasal congestion may prevent
these problems.
- Some of a child's first allergens are milk
and other food products as well as indoor allergens such as pets, household
dust mites, and molds.
- Once a child gets older, exposure to outside
allergens, like tree pollen, weeds, or grasses, increases their chance for
seasonal allergies because they spend more time outdoors.
- Sometimes allergic children are overactive
which takes a toll on their schoolwork. When a child's allergies are properly
treated, symptoms, behavior and school performance can improve.
- There are a number of OTC antihistamines
available in the market which can be given to children. Make sure that you
don't exceed the recommended dosage and age appropriate medicine is given.
Some of these drugs might have a sedative effect on children.
Remember, there are three basic steps in dealing
with any children's allergies:
- Identify the cause of allergy
- Avoid the relevant allergens
- Treat the symptoms
Copyright 2001, 2006-2008. All rights reserved. Any reproduction of this article in
whole or in part without written or verbal permission is strictly prohibited.
For information about reprinting this article, contact the copyright owner:
Vanessa Rasmussen, Ph.D,
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"I'll show you the fast and easy way to get rid of the following types of
allergies, no matter how long you have had them: hay fever, dust mites, pet
allergies, pollens and molds, sinusitis, hives, insect bits and stings. So you
too can get out there and LIVE your life...without the irritation and discomfort
allergies create..."
Allergy Help
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