One of the scariest moments for a parent is when their kid begins to start coughing or sneezing due to an allergy. Allergies can really hurt the immune system of a child, and these issues can proceed to adulthood as well. There are many different types of allergies, so let’s delve and figure out what it entails and how you can prevent the onset of an allergy in your kid.
To put it simply, allergies are a condition where the immune system of a person’s body reacts strangely to a foreign subject or substance. Children are most prone to allergies because their immune systems are still developing, and this means that they stand a higher risk of contracting allergies.
There are many allergies that children can catch such as common cold allergies, coughing, breathing allergies, skin allergies and so on. Once you are able to identify the reason behind a particular allergy, it becomes easier to build your child’s immune system against it even though they still might find it hard to get rid of it entirely.
Allergies generally develop when a child comes in contact with an allergen. These allergens can enter the body through multiple contact points such as touching, inhaling or eating. They can also be injected with stings or medicine and can be really painful for the child at such a young age.
Kids need to be looked after when they’re taken out to play or in public so that they do not come in contact with most allergens. Once their immune system is strong enough to fight these off, they can be given more freedom.
The most common reason for kids getting allergies is due to a weak immune system, but there are children who can get allergies due to genetics. There have been cases where parents or grandparents of a child share common allergies. Also, those children who may have been born via C-section or have asthma stand a higher risk of catching another allergy.
Allergies can be caused due to various reasons and can occur through various mediums, including air, water and food.
Food allergies are generally caused due to consuming or coming in contact with certain food items. There are many different food allergens and based on the dosage of consumption; their severity can increase:
Airborne allergens can be caused due to various elements in the atmosphere or environment around you. They generally result in a person sneezing, coughing or even developing asthma attacks. Severe allergies in children can also occur in some cases:
There are other common allergens that can be present in the environment around us. They can also be lifetime or mitigated to an extent:
There are different types of allergies, and while some of them are common, a lot of the allergies differ from person to person. Based on the type of allergy, you can segregate the same from seasonal allergy symptoms in a child and ones that occur on a much more regular basis.
Allergic rhinitis is a condition that is caused due to airborne allergens. They usually develop around 10 years of age and reach their peak somewhere in the teens and early twenties. With time and age, they generally disappear. The symptoms of these include:
Food and medicines also cause a lot of allergies in general, and they too have symptoms that are visibly noticeable. The next time your child’s body acts up after eating a meal or taking a tablet, this could be some of the symptoms they display:
The magnitude of allergies varies from person to person. Some people can have mild reactions like small hives on the skin but other reactions could be more serious and will need immediate medical assistance.
Allergies can be identified easily, but allergy testing for kids can help determine whether they have a serious reaction to certain substances or not. You can refer an allergist, and they can do skin and other tests to determine the reason. In a skin test, the allergist may:
In 15 minutes, if a lump forms, surrounded by a reddish area, then the test is positive, and medications and controlling techniques can be prescribed.
Doctors, however, will need to take blood tests for children who have skin diseases or conditions or sensitive skin. This is also done for children who otherwise might react badly to certain medicines.
There are many ways in which allergies can be controlled but not treated. The easiest way to control an allergy treatment for kids is to avoid all allergens. Parents must educate their children so that they do not come in contact with these allergens. Also, it is important that you inform teachers, family members or other parents.
While it may be hard to avoid any allergens in the environment, then children allergy medication can be provided. These can include medicines, antihistamines, eye drops as well as nasal sprays. Some of the medications don’t require a prescription. Doctors can also provide allergy shots and help a child desensitize themselves against allergens such as dust, pollens, mould, stings and animals and are not administered for food allergies.
Allergies can be treated in different ways, and allergies in young children can be avoided if parents are careful and ensure that the probability of them is occurring is eliminated to zero or near to that number.
Based on the type, you can figure out ways to avoid allergies:
Airborne allergens can be avoided if parents are able to keep their kids away from elements that cause these. This can be practised both at home and while travelling outside. Some of the best ways to avoid airborne allergens include:
Food allergies can be avoided as well if parents are careful with what they feed their children or keep an eye out on what they’re eating. This way, children remain safe from any of the allergies. Here are some of the ways in which they can do so:
If you’re unsure, it is always better to get in touch with the company directly and clear all doubts. It is better to prevent than leave something to chance as kids can find it hard sometimes to deal with allergies.
Allergies can be quite a painful experience for children. Make sure you’re always prepared when it comes to avoiding allergens because it is important that you understand how serious some allergies can be.
There have been cases where some children have faced near fatal situations because of a lack of awareness on the parents’ part, and this can easily be avoided with just a little reading and a visit to the doctor.
Once you identify the allergens, ensure that they do not come in contact with them and also make sure to help them develop their immune systems.