- Allergies among children are rising, affecting up to 40% of the worldwide population.
- Common allergens include peanuts, milk, eggs, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander.
- Three main types of allergies are food-related, environmental, and drug-related.
- To reduce the risk of an allergic reaction, consider renovating your bathroom, vacuuming regularly, providing an allergen-free diet, and seeking medical attention.
- Prevention is always better than cure – taking necessary precautions and seeking professional medical help can ensure your child’s well-being.
Your child’s health and well-being are always at the forefront of your mind as a parent. You want to ensure they remain healthy and happy throughout life. However, there has been a rising concern over allergies among children in recent years.
Allergies can range from mild to severe and can even be life-threatening. As a progressive parent, you want to understand this issue better and explore ways to protect your child from allergic problems.
Allergies Among Children
Childhood allergies are rising, affecting up to 40% of children worldwide. Furthermore, it’s estimated that nearly half of the children population in the U.K. have been diagnosed with allergies.
Allergic reactions in children are caused when their immune systems overreact to certain substances, known as allergens, found in food, air, or other environmental factors. The common allergens for children include peanuts, milk, eggs, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and insect sting. The symptoms of an allergic reaction often include hives, itchy skin, runny nose, and watery eyes. In severe cases, anaphylaxis can result in airway swelling, leading to breathing difficulty or even death.
Types of Allergies
It is essential to identify the type of allergy your child may have. The three most common types of allergy are food, environmental, and drug.
Food
One of the most common allergies among children is food allergy. It occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to certain foods, such as milk, peanuts, eggs, tree nuts, and wheat. Symptoms may include hives, itchy skin and eyes, swelling of the face or lips, difficulty breathing, and anaphylaxis.
Environmental
Environmental allergies are another common type of allergy in children. These involve reactions to environmental substances, such as dust mites, animal dander, pollen, and mold. Symptoms of environmental allergies include sneezing, runny nose, coughing, itchy eyes, and skin rashes.
Drug
Drug allergies also occur when a person’s immune system reacts to medication. Symptoms may include hives, skin and eyes, facial or lips swelling, difficulty breathing, and anaphylaxis.
Protecting Your Child From Allergies
Protecting your child from allergic reactions is a top priority for every parent. You can take several precautions to reduce your child’s risk of an allergic reaction.
Bathroom Renovations
Your bathroom has the highest chance for mold and dust mites to develop. Therefore, ensuring your bathroom is appropriately ventilated and clean is essential. You can hire local bathroom fitters to do this for you. They can install air extractors, use anti-mold paint and treatments, and install good-quality bathroom fixtures.
Vacuuming Regularly
Regular vacuuming is essential to reduce dust mites in carpets or rugs. You can also get an air purifier to help clean the air in your home. Additionally, you should wash your child’s bedding in hot water and change it at least once a week.
Allergen-Free Diet
If your child has food allergies, it is essential to provide an allergen-free diet. This means avoiding foods that contain the allergens they are allergic to. You should also read labels carefully when buying food for your family. This can help you identify any hidden allergens in food products.
Medical Treatment
If your child has severe allergies, seeking medical advice from an allergy specialist is essential. A doctor may recommend medications or immunotherapy to help manage the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
While allergies can never be cured completely, seeking professional medical attention can help isolate the causes of allergies and provide your child with an accurate diagnosis. Allergists specialize in identifying the source of allergies and recommending the correct avoidance measures or medication.
Your child’s doctor may recommend antihistamines or epinephrine, commonly known as an EpiPen, administered during a severe reaction. It is essential to understand there is a natural progression of how allergy works. That is to say, allergies typically develop at a young age, and the best time to seek professional help and interventions is during childhood.
Allergies are a growing concern among children, but with the right steps and awareness, you can help your child manage their allergies to stay healthy and safe. Always remember that prevention is key. Taking the necessary precautions in your home and seeking professional medical attention can help ensure your child’s well-being.