Children's Allergies: Treatments, Remedies, and Prevention

Le children's allergies The most common allergies can be food-related, respiratory, skin-related, and drug-related. Unfortunately, they are increasing worldwide, and the causes of this worrying trend are the subject of ongoing research. However, there are several natural remedies and specific treatments for children's allergies, and first and foremost, it is possible to have a good and effective prevention.

Types of Children's Allergies

There are at least five groups of childhood allergies to consider.

• Food allergyTheir diffusion also depends on the age of the children: allergies to the cow milk and eggs. In older children, allergies to fish and shellfish, tree nuts (such as walnuts and almonds), wheat, and peanuts become more common.
• Respiratory allergiesThe main cause of these allergies is pollen, especially during the spring season. Then there are dust mites and pet hair, such as dogs and cats.
• Skin allergies. The atopic dermatitis and hives, the two most common forms of skin allergies in children, can in turn be caused by food, drugs or other substances.
• Drug allergiesSome children may be allergic to medications such as antibiotics, painkillers, or vaccines, with reactions ranging from mild to severe.
• Insect bite allergiesStatistically, they are rare, but stings from insects such as bees, wasps or mosquitoes can cause allergic reactions, which in severe cases can lead to anaphylactic shock.

Cause

The significant increase in allergies in children is linked to environmental factors (pollution reduces respiratory defenses), lifestyles (a diet too rich in fats and sugars and a tendency to be sedentary), concentration of the population in urban areas (where exposure to dust, mites and animal hair is greater), antibiotic abuse (which leads to a weakening of the immune system), excessive hygiene (too much cleaning and limited exposure to bacteria and viruses in the early years of life can prevent the immune system from developing properly).

The genetic-hereditary factor must always be taken into account: if parents have allergies, children tend to develop them too.

Symptoms

There are some very obvious symptoms that indicate the presence of possible allergies in children.

• Tosse and asthma, with breathing difficulties
• Sneezing that increases without signs of a cold or flu
• Conjunctivitis, itching and watery eyes
• Runny nose, nasal obstruction, rhinitis
• Swelling of the skin
• Threw up, diarrhea and abdominal pain

Diagnosis

The first step in diagnosing allergies in children is a clinical examination by a doctor. Then comes the diagnostic tests, starting with prick testsSkin tests are performed, in which small amounts of allergens are applied to the child's skin (usually on the forearm or back) and the skin is lightly scratched with a needle. If the child is allergic to a substance, a small bump (similar to hives) will form at the site of contact. These tests are safe and quick.

Blood tests, on the other hand, are used to measure the amount of IgE (immunoglobulin E) antibodies specific to certain allergens in the blood. If the IgE level is high for a certain substance (such as pollen, animal dander, etc.), the child is likely allergic to that substance. RAST or ImmunoCap tests are more advanced and can detect specific allergic reactions and help identify which allergens the child is sensitive to.

Natural remedies

Children's allergies are primarily addressed with a series of natural remedies.

• Do not smoke in the presence of childrenSecondhand smoke can trigger and fuel allergies, and pregnant women should never touch a lit cigarette.
• Give priority to foods with fiber, which represent a form of natural protection against allergies.
• Make sure your child breathes as much clean air as possibleIf you live in the city, take your child to green spaces often and let them play with the dirt and get their hands dirty: this will strengthen their immune system.
• Be careful of pollenThey're easy to spot, both in terms of when they're most prevalent (spring) and where they're found. Remember, when you go out with your child in spring or summer, pollen concentrations increase with high temperatures. Avoid them in their company. During thunderstorms, don't go outdoors with allergy-prone children: pollen, especially with the first rain, swells, breaks apart, and goes directly into the airways.
• When you travel by car, during the spring season, keep the windows closed.

Cure

As suggested by the medical specialistsChildren's allergies can be easily treated at home, avoiding taking do-it-yourself medicines or consulting the famous but unfortunate Dr. Google, but always following the instructions of the pediatrician or allergist.

The most commonly used medicines are antihistamines which can help reduce allergic symptoms such as itching, sneezing and watery eyes; nasal decongestants and nasal coricosteroids, which a doctor may prescribe in more severe cases of allergies. In more severe or persistent cases, an allergist may recommend immunotherapy, which involves exposing the child to small doses of the allergen to improve tolerance over time. This treatment requires close monitoring.
If the allergy involves a food, the main treatment is strict avoidance of that food.

Prevention

The most important forms of prevention for children's allergies are:

• Breastfeeding the baby as long as possible: Breast milk contains substances that strengthen the immune system of newborns.
• Having a clean home environment (avoiding the accumulation of dust mites) and perhaps enriched by plants that combat pollution in the home.
• Never smoke in the presence of children.
• Organize their lives so that there are frequent outdoor activities.
• Accustom children, from an early age, to a healthy, balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruit.

Read also:

• Pollen allergy: symptoms, remedies, and prevention
• Winter Allergies: What They Are and How to Avoid Them
• How to distinguish a cold from an allergy

Opening photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels