Allergies are an abnormal reaction of the immune system to contact or consumption of some substances. Allergens, which are harmless to the majority of the population, cause an unusual inflammatory response in the body of allergy sufferers. This condition can present acutely, with more or less mild symptoms, but the most common is that they appear throughout childhood or adolescence and drag on throughout life. As well as the
There are allergens that can affect children from a very early age and in all kinds of environments. The foods eaten by babies with the eruption of their first milk teeth or grass pollen are some of the most common examples. Meanwhile, inside the home, other more subtle substances lurk such as dust mites, pet hair, certain cleaning products or the latex contained in some toys, which could be the cause of an allergic reaction pending identification.
Allergic reactions manifest in multiple ways. The skin and the organs of the respiratory system are usually the most affected parts of the body. Skin rashes such as atopic dermatitis or hives, flaking or rashes on the wrists and ankles may be indicative that your child has some type of allergy. Look to see if these reactions occur immediately after exposure to a particular allergen, otherwise it could be a non-allergic health issue.
The rest of the symptoms are pretty much like a common cold, like a runny and stuffy nose or sneezing. The keys that will help you detect allergic rhinitis are a duration of more than a week, the concentration at a certain time of the year and the accompaniment of other symptoms such as eye and throat irritation. Persistent cough, excessive mucus or even episodes of respiratory failure are other signs that can contribute to the detection of an allergy.
Some of these symptoms can be easily treated. For example, the use of specific covers for mattresses and pillows and washing bedding every 15 days in hot water are actions against dust mites. In cases of pollen allergy, it is preferable to use the air conditioning inside the house or in the car instead of ventilating to cool down during the summer.
To obtain an accurate diagnosis, it is vital to go to the pediatrician and request the attention of an allergist. This will be the specialist who submits your child to the necessary tests, such as skin tests, which consist of exposing the skin to different allergens that can trigger an inflammatory reaction. The dispensing of antihistamines, sprays or inhalers should also be prescribed by a pediatrician and, in the case of food or drug allergies, parents should be extremely careful when reading the composition of these products.