Allergies in Children: How To Treat And Prevent Them

When your child is first born and begins to explore the world around them, you probably think nothing of it. After all, they’re brand new to this place and everything must be a new experience for them. However, as time goes on, you begin to notice certain things about your child that you hadn’t noticed before. Perhaps they react funny when you give them a specific food, or maybe their skin breaks out in an itchy rash after spending some time outside. In some cases, these are signs of allergies. An allergy is your body’s reaction to something that is not naturally threatening. While most people have experienced at least one type of allergic reaction before such as hay fever or hives, the term ‘allergy’ refers to an overreaction by the immune system which then produces antibodies called IgE against that particular thing. In most cases it is harmless but for those who suffer from allergies, it can be dangerous if not controlled properly.

What Are The Common Types of Allergies in Children?

Many different types of allergies can affect children, however, most of these are food related. Aged cheeses, peanuts, soy and eggs are the most common foods that children become allergic to. When your child has his first taste of solid foods, it’s important to note how he responds to each one. If he has a bad reaction to a specific food, you may want to avoid feeding it to him again in the future. Avoiding certain foods can help with certain allergies, but others can be more complicated. If your child has a serious allergy, it’s recommended that you keep an epinephrine pen nearby at all times. An epi-pen can help reverse some serious allergic reactions.

Dust Mite Allergies

We’ve all heard the saying ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and this is especially true when it comes to dust mites. These tiny pests live in just about everyone’s household and survive by feeding off our bodies’ scales. They prefer to live in beds and other warm places because they can survive for long periods without food. While these creatures pose a threat to many people, those with dust mite allergies must take extra care to eradicate them from their environment. You should clean your home regularly, especially around your child’s bed, and vacuum and seal up any gaps in your home to prevent dust mites from entering. You may want to consider investing in special bedding that is intended to repel dust mites.

Pets and Animal Dander Allergies

Pet allergies affect over 15% of children, but thankfully it is possible to reduce their effects of them by taking special care. First, you must make sure that you are keeping your pet clean. Regularly bathing them with an anti-allergenic shampoo can greatly reduce the amount of dander they produce. You should also keep your pet out of your child’s room as much as possible. If they must remain in there, then they should be kept on a lint-free surface. Wiping down the floor and furniture with a damp cloth can reduce the amount of dander that is floating around.

Weed and Plant Sensitivities

Some people may suffer from allergies to certain types of plants and weeds. If your child has recently moved to a new area, they may be reacting negatively to one of the plants that grow in that region. To treat this, you can try removing the plant from your child’s environment, or you can try covering the leaves with plastic to reduce the amount of pollen they release. Although this type of allergy may seem mild compared to others, it can be a serious problem for those who suffer from it.

Conclusion

Allergies can be very problematic for children, as well as for adults. Thankfully, there are many things that parents can do to help prevent allergies in their children. These include cleaning regularly and making sure your child has a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also important that you keep your child away from pets if they have a sensitivity to dander. While allergies are not something that you can completely prevent, there are steps that you can take to reduce their severity in your child.