This is a sponsored guest post.
For the sake of this article, we're going to focus on some of the more common allergies you might run into with your children. As always, this is not a substitute for medical advice, but it can give you an idea of what to look out for and when to seek the counsel of your doctor or pediatrician. An allergy to dust, for example, is going to be more likely of a concern than, say, an allergy to water...the later, unfortunately being a real thing, though not technically an allergy, in the histamine-releasing sense of the term.
Dust and Pollen
Formed from dead skin cells, loose fabric, and other such detritus, dust is omnipresent in nearly every environment and moves about as we do. This can make a dust allergy particularly difficult to get away from, and if it gets into the eyes or the nose, it can often cause irritation, shortness of breath and mild sneezing or coughing. Particularly severe dust allergies may also cause asthma or asthma-like symptoms. Pollen, tiny spores released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle, can cause similar reactions, and as they are also tiny particles, can also be difficult to avoid in certain locales.
The easiest way to prevent dust and pollen allergies is to be very particular about cleaning your home. Make sure to wipe down every surface each morning and afternoon, and vacuum all carpets and furniture thoroughly. When handing your children anything to which dust or pollen may cling, be sure to beat the worst of it off. If your child wants to go outside, be sure to give them plenty of antihistamines to give their immune system a boost.
Peanuts
You’ll be pleased to know that there’s about a 20% chance your child may eventually outgrow a childhood allergy to peanuts. In the meantime, your best chance of avoiding any allergic reactions to peanuts is to limit your child’s contact with them as much as possible. In worst case scenarios, contact with trace amounts of the stuff can cause anaphylaxis – the closing off of airways because they’ve swollen, which could lead to extreme and even fatal breathing difficulties.
Many schools are now “nut free” – with any nut products banned from school lunches. Making teachers, family members, and other people responsible for the care of your child aware of this allergy is also critical to ensuring that they won’t accidentally come into contact with peanuts.
Milk/Lactose
Lactose intolerance is a common-enough affliction -- in fact, most human beings are lactose intolerant to some degree. It’s usually mild enough, resulting in increased flatulence (stop giggling), nausea and stomach cramps. As with peanuts, the best thing to do is just limit the amount of contact your child has with milk.
Fortunately, soy and almond-based substitutes for milk are fairly widespread, although people accustomed to cow's milk may find the taste something to get used to.
Bee Stings
Bee, wasp, and hornet stings ordinarily cause soreness and swelling even in people who aren't allergic to them, so many people may get confused between the two. To avoid the panic and unnecessary trips to the hospital, learn how to distinguish between a normal reaction and an allergic reaction:
- Dizziness
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Hives that appear red, itchy and spread beyond the immediate area of the sting
- Rapid pulse or anxiety
- Swelling or difficulty breathing
Materials (Wool, Cotton, Polyester, etc.)
Some kids may also be allergic to certain materials, typically wool. In such instances, you’ll probably notice rashes, soreness, and even swelling on areas of the skin that have come into contact with the fabric in question. Naturally, the easiest way to deal with this is to check labels on clothes, bedding, and furniture religiously. Any decent department store should be able to help you find safe products, and you can always find exactly what you need online.
In particular, always keep an eye out for breathing difficulties, and be aware of what your children are exposed to. Being forewarned is being forearmed, and it can help you avoid unnecessary trips to pediatric urgent care, or worse -- the emergency room.
I watched a news report last month that said so many kids are becoming allergic to peanuts because parents are not exposing their kids to peanuts even if they aren't allergic and the best thing to do is to give your young kids a little peanut butter each day so they are exposed to it as they get older. The pediatrician said this could help keep those kids from becoming allergic to peanuts later old when they are older.
ReplyDeleteThankful we've not had any allergies with our three, but it's good to be aware. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your information. My daughter was allergiC to bee stings and we didn't know it. When she was stung, it looked like a hive had stung her. It's a scary thing, parents need to be prepared. Also conditions change as a child gets older also, so be aware on new surroundings and activities.
ReplyDeleteAnother common skin allergy is to Latex. 20% of the population is sensitive to latex and it can become quite serious.
ReplyDeleteMy son is allergic to peanuts, but hopefully he has a chance to outgrow it!
ReplyDeleteI do like your list here, I am always having to watch out because my grandchildren have allergies to so many different things,from my cats to the rug,,,
ReplyDeleteThis is a good list, another thing to think about is pet allergies, especially if you don't have pets yourself, because you might not know until they come into contact with Grandma's cat or the babysitter's dog.
ReplyDeleteWe've been lucky enough to avoid allergies with my son so far!! We have contact allergies with tons of stuff though! Such a pain!!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up a sister was allergic to just about everything. She is doing better now, though. It is scary to find out the hard way you are allergic to something, so she had tests done.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't even thinking about materials, but often kids have a cotton or latex allergy. It's important to think about. Also, think about the laundry soaps you use on those clothes.
ReplyDeleteWe've been lucky to not have a single allergy here.....I try to be as mindful of others/family/friends who do.
ReplyDeleteMy family has a lot of allergies. We have been suffering for years and my children inherited them from myself and my husband.
ReplyDeletetwinkle at optonline dot net