More than 20% of all U.S. children and adults suffer from some type of allergic condition according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. This includes approximately 7.5 million people affected by food allergies, 15 million suffering from asthma, and 40 million suffering from seasonally-related conditions including hay fever. These numbers put allergies sixth on the list of common chronic illnesses.

Food Allergies: Distinguishing between Allergy and Sensitivity

In the 1940s Dr. Theron G. Randolph discovered a connection between food allergies and physical and mental disorders. Research has continued since that time to uncover the link between a variety of illnesses and food allergies. The most common foods to trigger allergic reactions include dairy products, wheat, corn, eggs, soy, shellfish, peanuts, citrus fruits, and chocolate.

In some cases the foods you’re allergic too are the ones you like best or eat most frequently. Some believe that this “high dose” of a specific food may lead to a “dose-induced” food allergy. Resolving the issue may be as simple as removing the offending food for a time while learning a more balanced approach to eating.

Signs of a food allergy or sensitivity include:

* Unexplained persistent and extreme exhaustion
* Swelling of ankles, face, or fingers
* Weight gain or loss of 4 or more pounds in one day
* Unexplained non-menopausal hot flashes
* Often experience racing heartbeat
* History of food sensitivity or intolerance
* Craving dairy, breads, sugars, chocolate, coffee or tea
* Headaches or migraines
* Eczema
* Depression
* Asthma
* Irritable bowel syndrome
* Muscle aches

In some cases people are not truly allergic to a food, but simply either sensitive or intolerant of it. Signs of food sensitivities include:

* Mental fog
* Fatigue
* Gas
* Belching
* Diarrhea
* Headaches

Many people are particularly sensitive to artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners in foods. Sulfites and monosodium glutamate can also trigger food reactions.

Dealing with Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Those who recognize they have a food allergy or sensitivity often are motivated to correct the situation. This requires some dedication as it involves eliminating offending foods and learning how to eat a greater variety of foods.

Elimination diet: You can test your allergic reaction to foods by eliminating them for 60 to 90 days and then reintroducing them slowly, one at a time. Write down any physical reactions you have when reintroducing the foods.

Rotation diet: By rotating a variety of nutritious foods in your diet you’re able to increase your nutrition intake and avoid additional “dose-induced” food allergies. Dr. James Braly suggests rotating foods in four-day cycles, which means you don’t eat any one food more than once every four days.

Digestive enzymes: In some cases those sensitive to dairy, wheat and other foods may benefit from taking a digestive enzyme with meals.

Probiotics: Some doctors recommend supplementing with probiotics to repair food-related damage to the digestive system.

If you believe you suffer from food allergies, don’t treat it on your own. Always consult a trusted healthcare professional who can help you create the best approach for restoring health.

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2. Common Food Allergy: Effectively Managing Food Allergies
3. A Broad Look at Food Allergies and What They Mean to Those Who Have Them

Parents of children with allergies need child allergy information. A stock of reliable child allergy information for parents helps parents in a number of ways.

* Parents can learn about their child’s allergies and understand how allergic reactions happen

* Parents can learn what steps to take in response to child allergies

* Parents can learn what steps to take to prevent child allergies

* Parents can learn how to assess their child’s current lifestyle, diet, and environment for aggravating child allergy factors

* Parents can learn about medication options for kids with allergies

* Parents can learn about homeopathic and natural relief measures for kids with allergies

* Parent can learn about new child allergy therapies and medications

* Parents can learn how to effectively communicate with their child’s doctor to achieve the best child allergy management results

Top Resources For Child Allergy Information For Parents

Today, there is more child allergy information available to parents than ever before. There a number of excellent resources parents can utilize in their search for child allergy information.

* Books

Old school, maybe, but books are always a great resource for medical information, including child allergy information. Bookstores, libraries, hospital libraries-all are good places to go for excellent child allergy information resources. Look for trusted names of publishing houses, authors, and associations.

* Parenting Magazines

It is the job of parenting magazines to keep parents informed; the good ones devote time and energy to children’s health issues and bring both traditional, time-proven child allergy information and new, updated research to the mix. Many will employ medical professionals for columns and feature writing.

* Online

No discussion about research and information sharing is complete today without mention of the vast wealth of child allergy information on the internet. Information on any condition or aspect thereof is available right here on the web in abundance.

* Doctors, Nurses, and Allergists

If anyone should know about child allergies, it is the people in control of their care. You can be assured that the information your child’s doctor is giving you will be accurate and will be in-line with your treating physician’s treatments and beliefs. The handouts and booklets available from your doctor are one of the best child allergy information resources you could use in understanding your child’s allergy care.

What To Look For In A Reliable Child Allergy Information Resource

Just because you can locate a resource of child allergy information doesn’t mean it is reliable medical information. These tips can help you in your search for good child allergy information.

* Look for reputable sources, such as nationally known doctors and official positions

* Look for information published by reputable companies

* Consider the ‘angle of the company’ (i.e., what’s in it for them? are they trying to sell you something? Does it matter?)

* Look for endorsement by, or resources from professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology

* Look for books and articles that have been reviewed by professionals or edited by doctors

* Look for source information or links to more information

* Look for information that can be supported by referencing other material (i.e., appears to be in-line with what other informational resources are saying)

* Look for child allergy information that makes sense to you given what you doctor has told you

Regardless of the source, take every bit of information with the proverbial “grain of salt” until you’ve had an opportunity to discuss it with your child’s doctor. Even very good child allergy information may not be applicable to your child, or may not be positively indicated given your child’s specific condition or circumstances. So while child allergy information from a variety of sources can be a very good tool indeed, you’ll still need the help of a trusted professional to help you use it responsibly and in the best interest of your child.

Related posts:

1. Allergy Information For Kids With Allergies
2. What Parents Should Know About Child Allergy Testing
3. Where to Find Asthma Information

Child food allergies are the subject of some debate among medical professionals; the existence of child food allergies is not debatable, but the precise definition of child food allergies vs. food intolerance is. In any case, child food allergies are a very real issue for many children, and the optimal well-being of affected children relies on identification of foods that are causing discomfort or hazard to children with food allergies.

Child Food Allergies-Allergy vs. Intolerance

True allergies are defined as a reaction of the immune system that results from a build-up of immunoglobulin, or IgE. When reactions cannot be supported with increased blood levels of IgE, as is often the case with child food allergies, the child may be diagnosed with a food intolerance rather than a child food allergy.

Functionally, the semantics of allergy vs. intolerance have little impact, save for the fact that food intolerances are generally less life-threatening and less severe. In the end, what parents of children and children with child food allergies want to know is what they can do to make their child, or themselves, feel better.

Common Child Food Allergy Triggers

Any food or food substance has the potential to become an allergy trigger in a child. As child food allergies often (but certainly not always) develop following increased exposure to a food, the foods most commonly eaten are the foods that are seen in the majority of child food allergy cases.

The seven most common child food allergy triggers are:

* Milk-usually cow’s milk, but a child with a milk allergy may also be allergic to sheep or goat’s milk. The actual allergen is a protein found in milk, whey or casein in most cases; lactose (a milk sugar) reaction is usually categorized as a child food intolerance. All but 15% of milk allergies are outgrown by age five.

* Eggs-egg allergies account for the largest number of child food allergies; the allergy may be to either the white or the yolk (yellow) of the egg, or to both. Like milk, egg allergies are usually outgrown by age five at a rate of 85%.

* Peanuts-peanut allergies have been getting a lot of attention because reactions can be very severe (life threatening) and it can be difficult to know what products may have trace amounts of peanuts in them. In the vast majority of cases (80%), peanut allergies are not outgrown.

* Tree Nuts-tree nuts are different from peanuts, so a child with a peanut or tree nut allergy will not necessarily have a child food allergy to the other (in fact most do not); however, where peanuts and tree nuts have been used and produced, the other often has as well, so children with a tree nut or peanut allergy are often advised not to eat any nuts at all.

* Wheat-wheat allergy is a reaction to a wheat protein which can produce a variety of symptoms and reactions. Most children outgrow wheat allergies, which is beneficial because wheat and wheat proteins exist in a very large percentage of common staple foods.

* Soy-soy allergies are usually of minimal danger and are outgrown early on in most cases. Soy is a legume that is related to the peanut, but child food allergies to both peanuts and soy are very rare.

* Fish and Shellfish-although the two are physically different, fish and shellfish comprise the seventh child food allergy category, in most part because people often lump the two together and serve them together. A child with a fish or shellfish allergy is not likely to outgrow the allergy and reactions are often severe. Avoiding all types of fish or shellfish (respectively) is advised when an allergy exists due to a high risk of being allergic to another kind.

Symptoms Of Child Food Allergies

The symptoms of child food allergies are as varied as the causes. Symptoms of child food allergies range from the well-known itchiness, hives, swelling, and skin rashes to facial swelling and extreme difficulty breathing. Symptoms of child allergy may be immediate or delayed, and can also include stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation.

Reacting To Child Food Allergies

Reacting to a child food allergy is essentially no different than reacting to any other type of childhood allergy, except that child food allergies may be more avoidable once triggers are identified. As with all allergic reactions, the biggest concern falls to the most severe, and the closest attention must be paid to the child’s ability to breathe and move air; whenever breathing is compromised as the result of a child food allergy, immediate medical attention is necessary.

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2. Knowing What To Do In An Emergency When Your Child Has Food Allergies
3. ABCs of Food Allergies

Discovering a child cat allergy can be very disheartening for a family; often, children are already attached to the family pet by the time a family learns there is a child cat allergy in the home, and losing a beloved pet is very upsetting for the child. In cases where the child cat allergy is not severe and threatening to the child’s well-being, there may be steps that can be taken to keep the pet in the home.

All of the regular symptoms of allergies can be present in a child with a cat allergy; it takes a process of elimination, treatment, and sometimes testing to determine the exact cause of a child’s allergy. When a child has an itchy or runny nose, watery, itchy eyes, wheezing, redness, rash, or hives, it is time to start looking for the cause. When these symptoms seem to be related to time spent with the family cat, chances are good that the cause is the pet.

The Cause Of Cat Allergies

For a long time, people assumed, and many still often do, that child cat allergies result from an allergy to the cat’s hair. In reality, the product is not usually the hair, but a protein released by the cat’s body called Fel d 1. Fel d 1 is excreted by the cat’s sebaceous glands and is present in the cat’s dander (shed skin flakes). This allergenic protein is also found in cat saliva, blood, urine, and anal glands, so being licked by a cat or changing the litter box can cause a reaction in a child with a cat allergy. The secreted protein can be carried on cat hair, too.

The dander and substances cats secrete are stickier than those of other animals, so cat allergies can often be worse than other animal allergies; this is the simple result of prolonged exposure to cat allergens since cat dander travels easier on clothing and is harder to clean up. This is exacerbated by the fact that cats produce Fel d 1 in large quantities and shed it regularly through their ongoing habit of grooming.

Proliferation of cat allergen also makes diagnosing a child cat allergy difficult; since allergens can be anywhere in public where cat lovers are, and cat dander can remain in a home for months even after the cat has vacated the premises, diagnosing child cat allergy by elimination is no easy task. It is said that because cat dander travels easily on people, even homes with no cats-homes that have never had cats-can be contaminated with cat dander.

Life With A Child Cat Allergy

The best treatment option for a child cat allergy is prevention of attack via avoidance of the trigger; but that’s not such an easy decision for many children and families.

Allergy medicines can be helpful at relieving child cat allergy symptoms, but in homes with multiple cats allergy medications cannot always keep up completely. Allergy shots are good options for a child with a cat allergy if the treating physician feels they are in the child’s best interest.

In combination with medical therapies, taking steps to reduce cat allergens and minimize exposure are necessary if a family decides to try keeping the cat in the home of a child with a cat allergy. These measures can help:

* Spay or neuter the cat-Fel d 1 production is hormonally influenced

* Wash/bathe the cat 1-2 times each week

* Wipe the cat down with a wet cloth daily

* Vacuum daily using a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner

* Treat any other allergies to reduce symptoms to a tolerable level

* Encase mattresses and upholstered furniture with dust covers

* Do not allow the cat into the child’s room and do not let the cat sleep with the child!

* Use household air filters/purifiers

* Do not ask the child to change the litter box or otherwise be responsible for regular cat care

* Have the child thoroughly wash hands and face after playing with the cat

* Dust (with a cleaner or spray) regularly

* Steam clean upholstery, furniture, and carpets

* Remove carpeting

* Wash bedding weekly (in hot water)

* Replace filters on heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment regularly

It is also important to keep a watch on your child’s breathing if they present with a child cat allergy, as a correlating link has been established correlating between the two. Cat allergies may increase the likelihood of developing asthma; when breathing difficulties are noted, they should be discussed with the child’s doctor and keeping a pet cat should be reevaluated. With good control measures, though, many children are able to live with both a cat and a child cat allergy.

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2. Living With Child Pet Allergies
3. What Parents Should Know About Child Allergy Shots

Child allergy shots are a well-proven, medically accepted therapy for the treatment and prevention of allergy reactions in kids. Child allergy shots have produced great results in preventing future reactions of targeted allergies. Child allergy shots are not indicated for many child allergy sufferers, though, and so before a parent pursues the possibility of child allergy shots for their allergic child, they should take some time to learn about what child allergy shots are, and who should consider getting them.

What Are Child Allergy Shots?

In essence, child allergy shots are immunizations, or vaccines, against specific allergies. After testing to determine what specific allergens are causing allergic reactions in children, purified extracts of allergen are prepared and given to the child in a series of shots. One shot will be given for each specific allergen the child is being treated for. The small doses of allergens give the child’s body the opportunity to acclimate to the allergen and recognize it as harmless (as it should be). Over time, the body will stop producing immune antibodies to the allergen(s) so the child will no longer experience an allergic reaction when the allergen is encountered. Child allergy shots are also called immunotherapy or desensitization.

How Do Child Allergy Shots Help Kids With Allergies?

As mentioned above, child allergy shots re-train the body to recognize allergens the way it should-as harmless substances rather than dangerous invaders. The body learns to ignore the allergen and not build up reaction-causing antibodies against it. Essentially, it restores the body back to ‘normal’ for each type of allergy shot given; the result is a lasting immunity against the targeted allergen or allergens. The immunity should last the child for five to ten years following course completion if the course is given according to schedule; if the course is stopped or interrupted prematurely, the immunity will not last as long.

This is not to say that a child will never again experience an allergic reaction if other allergies are present. Each child allergy shot treats one kind of allergy; allergies that are not immunized for (because they are unknown or contra-indicated for desensitization) will still be present and will still create a reaction.

How Are Child Allergy Shots Given?

Child allergy shots are given in small doses over a long period of time for each allergen (but more than one type of shot may be given in each setting).

Child allergy shots start off in small doses; these small doses should not cause an allergic reaction in the child. At first, child allergy shots will be given on a weekly basis in most cases. This proceeds for between three and six months until the child is able to tolerate higher levels of allergen; this is considered a build-up period and when it is complete allergy symptoms normally subside. Following the build-up period, there is a three to five year maintenance period.

As the therapy progresses, the dosage of allergen is increased; larger doses still should not produce a reaction. The larger dosages make it possible to reduce the frequency of child allergy shots to once monthly throughout the maintenance period. At the end of the five-year total, lasting immunity has been achieved.

Are There Risks To Giving Child Allergy Shots?

Allergy shots do present a risk of reaction and side-effects. These do not occur in all children receiving child allergy shots and of those who do most reactions are limited to localized swelling and itching at the injection site which can be treated with antihistamines. When swelling and itching is significant the dosage of allergen and/or schedule may be adjusted.

There is also the possibility that a child will experience a systemic reaction that affects various parts of the body with mild to severe whole-body allergy symptoms. These reactions are rarely life-threatening, but the potential for anaphylaxis is there. For this reason, it is imperative that only a qualified immunologist/allergist administer child allergy shots and that the child be watched in the doctor’s office for approximately a half an hour following treatment.

Who Should Get Child Allergy Shots?

Child allergy shots are not recommended for all children with child allergies; in fact, child allergy shots are not recommended in the majority of cases. Both parent and child must commit to the long course of treatment and must understand the risks to the child’s health.

When child allergies can be reasonably controlled with allergy medicines, relief medications, and environmental measures, child allergy shots are not usually recommended. Child allergy shots are normally only given to children with uncontrollable allergies or children who adversely react to available allergy medications.

Child allergy shots can give relief to a child that will last for years to come; such a great promise is hard to ignore, but the decision to have a child undergo years of immunotherapy is one that can only be reached cooperatively between parent, child, and allergist. Like all medical decisions, choosing child allergy shots is a serious decision that warrants careful research and consideration.

Related posts:

1. What Parents Should Know About Child Allergy Testing
2. Should My Child Have Child Allergy Immunotherapy?
3. Allergy Shots: Can They Help?

Sinus symptoms and complications are common in children with allergies. Between medications, drug therapies, natural remedies, and environmental (or home) control measures, much can be done to achieve sinus relief in children. Taking steps to achieve child sinus relief certainly requires a pointed effort; the benefits far outweigh the effort for both parents and children dealing with child sinus allergies.

Overall Health And Function

Child sinus symptoms resulting from child sinus allergies can have a significant impact on the life of a child. Sinus symptoms and related conditions often keep children from enjoying the activities they love most-in short, sinus misery keeps kids from being kids. When fatigue, congestion, breathing difficulties, and infections result from child sinus allergies, children lose the drive and physical ability to participate in sports and lack social ambition; a chronic problem can come to impact children socially over time, and children may become shy or withdrawn. Sinus relief for children can help children overcome allergies and related health conditions faster so they can return to normal activity.

Academic Effect Of Sinus Relief In Children

Children who suffer often with child sinus allergies tend to miss more school than their peers; for obvious reasons, this takes a toll on academic success. What’s more, when children are at school but fighting off sinus problems, they have more difficulty paying attention and maintaining energy levels. Sometimes, children have difficulty hearing when congestion affects the ears. All of these things combined make learning harder for children with sinus symptoms; child sinus relief can minimize the impact of sinus symptoms on school attendance and performance.

Child Sinus Relief And Its Effect On Mood And Energy

Most parents of child allergy sufferers do not have to be told that sinus symptoms resulting from child sinus allergies can affect a child’s mood and energy level. Irritability, fatigue, and general malaise make life difficult to live for these children, and difficult for parents and siblings to endure. A number of studies have positively proven that children suffering from child sinus allergy symptoms often have difficulty maintaining a positive mood and regular energy level. Here again, sinus relief for children can minimize the impact a negative mood and low energy level have on life at home, at school, and in social circles.

Impact Of Child Sinus Relief On Secondary Infections And Health Conditions

Congestion and sinus blockage is a main cause of secondary infections and health conditions in children. Conditions may be chronic (recurring or ongoing) or acute (occurring intermittently). Common secondary infections and health conditions that result from sinus allergy symptoms include

* Asthma

* Eye infections, or allergic conjunctivitis

* Ear infections

* Sinus infections and sinusitis

* Hearing loss due to congestion and infection (temporary or lasting)

Over time, acute conditions can become chronic and may require more aggressive treatment. Secondary infections and health conditions can also cause lasting damage, including hearing loss as mentioned above and also including damage to the bones surrounding the sinuses; in some cases, severe bone damage, fluid build-up or hearing loss may require corrective surgery or surgery to relieve symptoms.

Additionally, frequent infections and illnesses increase a child’s dependence on medications and drug therapies. Whenever medications are taken, there is a potential for drug interaction, allergy, intolerance, and side-effects; frequent drug use also presents the problem of increased drug resistance, which is a problem for not only individual children in need of relief, but also the overall population who rely on antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Each of the conditions mentioned here can be prevented with a good plan for sinus relief in children. While it would be wonderful to think that all conditions could be completely prevented all of the time, in reality complete preventative child sinus relief falls beyond the abilities of parents and doctors; any level of prevention and relief is advantageous, however, and for every preempted sinus infection or symptom, the odds for the affected child of having a normal life and good health increase.

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Is It Possible To Outgrow Childhood Allergies?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your child’s allergies would just disappear? For some, with time, it might be so, but outgrowing child allergies is never a guaranteed thing.

Disappearing Symptoms: When Children Outgrow Childhood Allergies

Sometimes, allergy symptoms and reactions in children do seemingly disappear-and not with immunotherapy. There are a few of reasons why this happens.

In some cases of outgrown child allergies the allergy is not really gone. What seems like an outgrown child allergy may just be a change in circumstance or environment. This follows the classic avoidance of exposure to allergens, but in this case the avoidance isn’t necessarily intentional.

For example, as a child with a dust mite allergy ages, he or she may just tend to keep their rooms cleaner or stocked with fewer dust-collecting toys and belongings; maybe he or she has opted to stop sleeping next to that old, dingy stuffed animal that had to go everywhere for the past 10 years. Anything that peripherally causes a reduction in allergen exposure can result in fewer allergic reactions.

Climate changes or a move to a less environmentally allergenic area may also result in what seems like outgrowing child allergies. For example, ocean and beach areas with fewer trees and less vegetation produce less pollen. Also, outdoor allergies can range in severity from year to year with the production of plant allergens, and weather changes can impact how and where pollutants and pollen allergens go-i.e. affect exposure.

There is also the possibility that the child did not outgrow child allergy symptoms or reactions, but that the symptoms have changed; for example, in early childhood, eczema is a common allergy reaction, but it is much less so in older childhood and adulthood. Instead, the allergy may present with more conventional skin or nasal allergy symptoms, or more elusive symptoms like stomach upset and gastrointestinal distress. A change to gastrointestinal symptoms is particularly common with food allergies.

Moreover, one allergy may disappear, only to be replaced by another. This, too, is common with child food allergies. Children tend to be more food allergic in childhood, and less so as adults. Unfortunately, those children who suffered with child food allergies often trade their new-found allergy freedom for new-found seasonal or environmental allergies.

Nevertheless, it is possible for an allergic child to outgrow childhood allergies. This happens as the child’s immune system matures and realizes that the substance it viewed as so dangerous really is not a problem at all; with each exposure, child allergy symptoms are lessened until the allergen stops producing an allergic reaction.

It appears that children with food allergies have the best chance to outgrow their childhood allergy. About 85% of children with a food allergy to milk, soy, eggs, or wheat will outgrow the childhood allergy. Up to 20% of children with a peanut allergy will outgrow this childhood allergy. If it does appear that a child has outgrown a child food allergy, a medically supervised food challenge may be issued to determine the presence or disappearance of an allergy; since food allergy symptoms can be severe, such a challenge should only be done if ordered and supervised by a qualified physician.

When a child seems to be outgrowing a childhood allergy, different measures will be taken depending on the type and severity of allergy. Mild allergies or moderate seasonal, non-threatening allergies will probably simply pass with a smile and a fare-thee-well. More concerning allergies will be monitored via allergy skin or blood tests to track tolerance levels and safety of allergen-reintroduction. Still, it is always smart to keep a watch for allergy symptoms in a child. Parents and children should not live in fear, but in relaxed caution, and remain prepared to act should a new or old allergy arise.

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1. A Story of Childhood Asthma
2. The Basics Of Child Food Allergies
3. Facts And Myths About Milk Allergy In Children

Is It Possible To Keep Kids Allergy-Free?

Parenting would be a far easier task if there was a magic way to keep kids allergy free. Recent advances in the understanding of allergies suggests that while there is no sure-fire way to keep kids allergy free for life, there are things that can be done to minimize the risk of a child having allergies.

Keep Kids Allergy Free-Start Early

The immune system is developed during the childhood years. The process is not entirely understood, but apparently it is during this time of development-from pre-birth through grade school-when the immune system will begin to recognize harmless substances as invaders that in the future will become allergens.

Pregnancy is a time when an expectant mother should begin to think about allergen exposure, particularly if there is a family history of allergies (children of parents with allergies are more likely to develop allergies). There isn’t a lot to be done at this point, and research suggests that most allergies will not develop because of foods a mother eats during pregnancy, but peanut allergies and smoke are likely exceptions. Mothers who are committed to keeping their kids allergy free should avoid these things (smoking entirely, peanuts perhaps in small amounts).

The truly critical time is infanthood. The period of the first year is when many children’s sensitivities get their start. This is why pediatricians have taken a strong stance to limit exposure, especially to common food allergens such as milk, eggs, and peanuts. It is believed that holding off on these foods until the immune system is better developed will give the child the chance to accurately recognize potential food allergens as safe. Breastfeeding is the best defense against child allergies, but some foods, such as peanuts, can pass through breast milk. Mothers of children with a family history of food allergies to wheat, milk, eggs, soy, fish, and shellfish are best off cutting out these foods as well.

Allergies develop with repeated exposure to allergens in most cases. That means child allergies to any substance can develop at any time during the maturation of the immune system. Limiting exposure to allergens-without completely avoiding them-can stave off allergies until the immune system is well developed enough to handle them.

Keeping Kids Allergy Free-Is There Such A Thing As Too Clean?

It seems logical that since most allergies develop after repeated exposure to an allergen, living in a sterile environment should mean no allergies-right? Unfortunately, no.

Research points to a balanced approach to housekeeping in the fight to keep kids allergy free. Children from extremely clean homes do not fare better than kids from less-kempt houses; studies suggest the opposite, in fact. Homes with cats and dogs or other pets in residence tend to produce children with fewer allergies. It seems that children who have never let their immune systems experience allergens set themselves up for surprise allergies when eventually an allergen is encountered in later life.

But the fact remains that excess amounts of allergens cause reaction in children with allergies, and so good home maintenance is still recommended.

Keeping Kids Allergy Free After Exposure

For many children and parents the time has well-passed to take the measures in early infancy and early childhood that can make or break an allergy. Sometimes even the best of intentions at home have limited effect, because exposure to allergens cannot be entirely controlled; visits to other locations, time in schools and daycares, and experience with airborne seasonal allergens all leave their mark.

When a child allergy does develop, there are still some measures that can be taken to keep kids allergy free. Keeping kids allergy free after allergy development is a matter of limiting exposure to allergens so that immune antibodies do not build up to the point of reaction. To keep kids allergy free when allergies already exist, a good cleaning regimen, coupled with individual plans for allergy treatment and management, is the best defense.

It would be nice if there was a simple, black-and-white answer to the question of whether it is possible to keep kids allergy free; maybe in the future there will be, but for now, what parents are left with is a collection of some very good medical research and studies, and the chance to formulate their own best plan for allergy free kids given their family’s predisposition and aggravating child allergy factors.

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1. Allergy Relief For Kids
2. Allergy Information For Kids With Allergies
3. Allergy Management For Kids With Seasonal Allergies

You might find it surprising that not all allergies present with a fast-responding allergic reaction; you might find it surprising that it can be as long as three days before symptoms of an allergy present as a noteworthy reaction. Nevertheless, all of the above are true, and they are especially true of food allergies. The condition even has a name, despite the fact that these food allergies often go undiagnosed-Delayed Food Allergy.

How Can Food Allergy Reactions Be Delayed?

Food molecules begin to be absorbed when they enter the mouth and digestive track, but they also continue to be broken down as food moves through the body. This means that some allergens found in foods will not be in a form that can aggravate until after some processing has occurred; it also means that some allergens will not build up to an intolerable level until after a time of processing. All of this processing can take a fair amount of time, and delayed food allergy in children may not present symptoms for some time; it can take a few hours, or as long as twelve hours or three days for a delayed food allergy reaction in a child to show up.

So Many Symptoms, So Easily Mistaken

It’s fairly easy to figure out that a child has an allergy to a food when the symptoms come on fast and present obviously; but it’s a much different story when a food allergy reaction is delayed.

A sudden-onset food allergy reaction will normally present with itching of the face, throat, or mouth, and may also cause hives and swelling.

These symptoms may also be present when there is delayed food allergy in children, but it may take hours before they occur. More commonly, though, the symptoms of delayed food allergy in children are those that can easily pass for something other than an allergy, and that is why delayed food allergy in children is so often left undiagnosed. The symptoms that are often missed in a food allergy in children include:

* Stomach upset
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Abdominal pain and cramps
* Constipation
* Congestion
* Headache
* Hyperactivity
* Mood changes
* Muscle or joint pain
* Gastrointestinal disease or condition

Obviously, each of these are symptoms that can easily be attributed to a wide variety of allergies and illnesses. When other allergies cannot be found, or symptoms seem to coincidentally come on after certain foods are eaten, it might be wise to start considering the possibility of delayed food allergy in children.

In truth, many delayed food allergies in children fall more easily into the category of food intolerance rather than food allergy because there is no association with the allergy immune antibody IgE, the antibody that classically defines a reaction as an allergy. The difference is really worth noting only for the sake of immunotherapy and the selection of medications. It is worth exploring for some children, but as treatment of food allergies and intolerances relies more heavily on avoidance of offensive foods, identifying the trigger of a delayed food allergy in a child is often enough.

Symptoms So Easily Missed, Why Do They Matter?

It stands to reason that if something is not causing much of a notable problem, it’s really not much of a concern at all; but that is not really the case in regards to delayed food allergy in children. As mentioned above, knowing that there is a problem with a delayed food allergy in a child and finding out what the source of the allergy is is imperative to management of the allergy.

Management of delayed food allergy in children is important because no child should live their life in pain or discomfort when there is another option. Couple this with the fact that delayed food allergy in children may be causing chronic and secondary conditions such as asthma, and you have some very good reasons to explore the possibility of delayed food allergy in children.

Related posts:

1. Methods Of Food Allergy Testing For Children
2. Food Intolerance In Children: How It Differs From Child Food Allergies
3. Facts And Myths About Milk Allergy In Children

There are a number of practices, and products that are useful in treating children’s allergies; managing children’s allergies is not always a matter of choosing one wonder-drug product, but rather knowing the options and utilizing one or more methods to deal with specific child allergy problems.

Over The Counter Child Allergy Products

Over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications for children are those which can be purchased without a prescription. They may be used only occasionally or for regular maintenance of child allergy symptoms. OTC medicines in many cases are lower-dose concentrations of prescription versions of the medication (which does not mean it is safe to increase a dosage-always follow label and/or a doctor’s instructions for dosing!). The most commonly known and used OTC child allergy medications are antihistamines and decongestants; these are available in many forms for children of all ages, including pills, tablets, chewables, liquids, syrups, and nasal sprays. Topically applied steroids are also available over-the-counter and may be used to relieve certain skin rashes and skin allergies.

The important thing is to know about using over-the-counter child allergy medicines is the proper use and dosage. OTC child allergy products should be used as directed on product labeling, or by the child’s doctor or pharmacist. Label dosing schedules should be followed unless otherwise directed by a physician. Dosing for OTC child allergy products is calculated by age and weight, with weight usually preempting age. Parents of chronic child allergy symptoms should talk to their child’s doctor before the need for OTC allergy products arises whenever possible so the child’s doctor can recommend the best OTC child allergy products and the right dose for the individual child.

Prescription Medications

Prescription child allergy products offer more tools for managing children’s allergies. Prescription child allergy products include prescription-strength antihistamines and decongestants, as well as other options. Prescription child allergy products can only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription and should only be taken as directed by the treating physician.

Prescription child allergy products may be preferable when a stronger acting medication is needed or a certain medicine is indicated that has no OTC availability; sometimes, prescription child allergy products are chosen because the side effects (such as drowsiness, fatigue, etc.) of a prescription child allergy medication are less.

Some commonly prescribed prescription child allergy products include:

* Steroids-may be topical (applied to skin, oral (liquid, pill, or tablet), or inhaled (inhaler or nebulizer); steroids treat skin conditions and asthma symptoms, including airway inflammation related to allergy attacks in children who have not been diagnosed with asthma

* Chemical blockers-antihistamines and antileukotrienes; blockers keep the blood chemicals which cause allergic reactions in children from affecting the child

* Decongestants-cause narrowing of the blood vessels which aids in clearing nasal congestion; decongestants are available in liquid and tablet form or in drops and nasal sprays

* Emergency rescues-namely, injectable epinephrine which may be prescribed for children with severe, life-threatening allergies; injectable epinephrine is taken at the point of contact to maintain function and breathing until the child can reach medical help

Often, an OTC version of a medication (when it exists) may be recommended first and replaced with a prescription child allergy product if ineffective, but recommendations depend entirely on the individual child and their condition, doctor, and their allergies; prescription child allergy products may be tapped for occasional use or as a regular maintenance drug.

Home Products

Prevention is an excellent means of managing child allergies, and so many home child allergy products can be very effective at decreasing and preventing child allergy attacks. Among the many great home child allergy products are:

* Air cleaners-remove allergens from room or home air

* Dust covers-for bedding and pillows, limits the growth of dust mites and keeps dust, molds, and other allergens from becoming trapped in mattresses, etc.

* Filters/filtered vacuums and appliances-cleans the air during household cleaning, traps mites, molds, and child allergens

* Steam cleaners-highly effective at killing dust mites, molds, and allergens and at cleaning animal dander

* Humidifiers and dehumidifiers-to increase humidity in air and relieve breathing or to decrease humidity and limit mold growth

Foods

Related posts:

1. Products For Kids With Dust Mite Allergies
2. Over-The-Counter Medication Options To Treat Child Sinus Allergies
3. Medical And Pharmaceutical Options For Child Allergy Treatment