Allergies in Children

 

What causes allergies?

 

Most allergies are caused by environmental factors such as dust, pollen, animal fur, debris, smoke, etc. Nonetheless, a child's allergy problem needs to be diagnosed by doctors or pediatricians to know the exact cause and to administer treatment. Parents would need to prevent the child from being exposed to these allergens and to watch what he or she eats. It is important to avoid certain types of food which may contain substances the child may be allergic to.

 

The most common symptoms found in children below the age of 3 with allergy problems would be atopic dermatitis, rubella, diarrhea, abdominal pains, vomiting, dyspepsia and affected growth and development. Very bad cases of allergy may also cause shock or even death. The common cause of allergies in children around that age would be food intake. Foods such as milk, eggs, shrimp, crab, peanuts, mangoes, citrus fruits, and so on may cause allergic reactions in children.

 

When the child starts to drink milk other than the mother's breast milk, there are at least 20 types of proteins in the milk that can trigger an allergic reaction. Therefore it is advisable to breast-feed for 4–6 months before moving on to other forms of milk.

 

If breast-feeding is not an option, you could try hydrolyzed protein formula milk. The best duration for giving the child this formula would be at least 6 months if the child can adapt to it. The choice of child formula products should also be monitored to avoid potential allergens.

 

When the child is 12 months, the chances of having an allergic reaction is reduced but parents still have to be careful with what they feed the child. The best is to avoid feeding the child with such food until a later age. It is also advisable to eat home-cooked food as food prepared outside may contain more additives and seasonings, which can cause allergic reactions.

 

Allergic diseases most commonly affect children. The only way to avoid allergic reactions is to take care of the child's diet and to have a controlled environment for the child to live in. By doing so, parents can reduce the chances of the child having an allergic reaction and also keep the child healthy and free from illness.

 

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