Your kid’s allergies can be difficult to deal with, especially since it’s sometimes hard to prevent them from having allergic reactions, particularly if they have seasonal allergies.
That’s why it’s important to always be prepared and know what you can do if your child has an allergy attack.
Here’s what you need to know about allergies:
1. Food allergies are not as rare as you might think
Nowadays, food allergies are slowly becoming more and more common. Since the early 90’s, the number of people with allergies have started growing drastically, and it’s a big problem.
Which is why it’s important for parents to have their kids and themselves tested if they have any allergies.
2. An allergy test is important
While your child is still young, it’s important to have them tested for any allergies so that you can know which types of food to avoid giving your little one if they’re allergic to certain foods.
3. Kids who have pollen allergies can sometimes have fruit allergies
There are cases wherein a child doesn’t have a food allergy, but can get allergic reactions from eating fruits. This happens since some fruits have proteins that are similar to pollen, which can trigger a child’s allergy.
4. Sometimes, antihistamines aren’t enough
For the most part, antihistamines are effective when it comes to dealing with minor symptoms of allergies such as sneezing, itchiness, redness, etc.
However, for more severe cases, antihistamines aren’t enough to prevent anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal.
5. Allergies can be fatal
In very rare cases, allergies can be very fatal. Some allergic reactions can trigger anaphylactic shock, wherein the body starts to overreact against an allergen and starts producing chemicals that can cause the body to go into shock.
Fatal allergic reactions are rare, and thankfully they can be treated with epinephrine, which stops the body from going into anaphylactic shock.
If your child experiences severe allergic reactions, then it’s important to take them immediately to a doctor.
6. It’s important to teach your child what to avoid
Aside from knowing what can trigger your child’s allergies, it’s also important to teach your child what triggers they need to avoid.
For kids with seasonal allergies, it’s best for them to avoid going near places with lots of flowers or pollen as those can trigger their allergies. They should also avoid sniffing flowers directly as those can also trigger an allergic reaction.
For kids with food allergies, it’s simple enough to show them what food they need to avoid. It’s also important to teach your child to ask what ingredients are in the food they’re eating so that they can be sure that they won’t have an allergic reaction.
7. Keep your doctor’s phone number handy
It’s important to keep your doctor’s phone number handy so that in case your child suddenly has a severe attack, you can immediately call your doctor for help.
You also need to give your doctor’s phone number to your child, and also to their teachers in school, so that in case something happens while they’re in school, you can be sure that your child will be safe.
8. Peanuts are a common food allergy
A lot of people are allergic to peanuts, and peanut oil is commonly used in a lot of food that you can buy in the supermarket.
That’s why it’s important to check the ingredients of the food you buy so that you can be sure that they’re free from any allergens, particularly, peanuts.
9. Stress can make allergic reactions worse
Lastly, make sure that your child doesn’t get stressed a lot, as stress can heighten your child’s allergic reactions, especially if they have seasonal allergies.
A good night’s sleep is important when it comes to making sure that your child is stress-free.
Source: health.com, breatheamerica.com
READ: How to prevent allergy and asthma attacks for children