Got Allergies?

Written by Mary Bunn

This article is courtesy of ParentLife.

“Ah-chooh!” Your 5-year-old sneezes for the tenth time today. Does he have a cold or is it an allergy? And how can you know for sure? Your 2-year-old’s skin has developed hives. Could it be a food allergy?

What is an allergen?
An allergen is any substance that your body treats as a threat, triggering an allergic reaction. Sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, itching, and hives may result as your immune system acts to protect your body. Common allergens include animals, dust mites, foods, insect stings, latex, mold, pollen, poison ivy, and poison oak.

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Seasonal Allergies
A seasonal allergy is a reaction to an allergen that is typically present only part of the year. Autumn is fun with leaves to rake and hayrides to enjoy. But it is not as much fun if your child has fall allergies.

Common fall allergens include the following.
• Ragweed is found in vacant lots and along the roadside. Ragweed can produce billions of pollen grains that can travel hundreds of miles in the air.
• Mold has elevated counts in late summer and early autumn due to the high humidity. Indoor molds can be found in basements, showers, and near washing machines. Outdoor molds are prevalent in leaves, soil, vegetation, and rotting wood.
• Dust mites can be a problem year-round, but they thrive in humidity and can be stirred up in dirty ventilation systems.

To treat your child’s seasonal allergy, you need to know what causes it. An allergist can help identify a seasonal allergy and what your child is allergic to through skin testing or a blood test. Treatment can then be determined.

Shielding your child from seasonal allergies can be tricky since most common causes, such as ragweed, are airborne. But there are steps you can take to minimize your child’s exposure.
• Keep your windows closed to keep pollens out of your home and car.
• Encourage your child to avoid outdoor activities during peak pollen times (5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.).
• Watch daily reports of pollen counts. If counts are elevated, have your child stay inside if possible. Visit The National Allergy Bureau for current pollen counts (www.aaaai.org/nab).
• Do not hang laundry out to dry since pollen may collect on it.

Measures also can be taken to reduce allergens such as dust mites and molds.
• Change heating and cooling system filters each month.
• Vacuum your home and car often.
• Wash bedding weekly, including bedspreads and blankets.
• Repair leaky plumbing and seal cracks where water can cause mold buildup.
• Use a dehumidifier in damp areas and clean the dehumidifier weekly.

Pets can cause a problem for allergy-sensitive children. Pet hair is not the cause of allergies, but the protein found in the pet’s saliva, urine, and dead skin flakes, also known as dander, is the culprit. Wash your pet weekly to reduce dander. Do not allow your child to sleep with the pet, and vacuum or mop pet areas frequently.

When prevention is not enough and symptoms become bothersome, allergy medicines may be needed. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are often the first choice for parents, but some medicines should not be used frequently since they cause drowsiness. Discuss with your pediatrician the best choices available for the symptoms your child is experiencing.

Source: Vincent Iannelli, M.D., “Allergy Update to Help You Control Your Children’s Allergy Symptoms,” www.pediatrics.about.com/cs/conditions/a/allergies.htm.

Food Allergies
A food allergy occurs when your body reacts against proteins contained in some foods. The reaction happens quickly and can be mild to severe. Common symptoms are hives, swelling around the mouth and throat, wheezing, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or loss of consciousness. If the reaction affects more than one area of the body, it may be severe, resulting in anaphylactic shock.

Sometimes food can cause an adverse reaction that may be confused with a food allergy. Food poisoning, which results in diarrhea or vomiting, is caused by bacteria in spoiled or under-cooked food. Some foods contain ingredients, such as caffeine, that may make your child restless. Diarrhea also can occur if your child drinks too much sugar in fruit juices, and acids in juices or tomato products may cause skin irritations.

Food intolerances are not considered allergies since the immune system is not causing the reaction. For example, lactose intolerance occurs when your child has trouble digesting the sugar in dairy products. Stomachaches, bloating, and loose stools may result.

If your child has been diagnosed with a food allergy or you suspect she has one, it is important to read food labels carefully. Reading labels is easier now than it used to be. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires all food products to clearly identify if they contain any of the common ingredients people are allergic to.

Food allergies may be outgrown during early childhood. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 80 to 90 percent of egg, milk, wheat, and soy allergies go away by the age of 5. Your pediatrician or allergist can test your child to see if food allergies are not present anymore.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, “Parenting Corner Q&A: Food Allergy — How do I know if my child has a food allergy?” www.aap.org.

Mary Bunn lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and three children. She is a stay-at-home mom who enjoys freelance writing.

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