A new study has found that some parents might be mistaken when it comes to what allergies they think they have.
70% tested negative on allergy tests
The study, which was done on parents of kids that have allergies, showed that parents who said that they had allergies, didn't have any. The team conducted allergy tests on the parents, and they found that 70% of them tested negative on the allergies that they thought they had.
Over 2,500 parents filled out a survey asking if they had any allergies. They then underwent a skin-prick test as well as a blood test to determine if there's an allergic reaction.
Close to 14% of the parents said that they had food allergies. But among those that said they had allergies, only 28% had an allergy to the food that they reported.
Getting tested for allergies is important
The results of the study might have something to do with the common practice that doctors have when it comes to diagnosing allergies. Doctors often ask parents if they have any food allergies so that they can determine if their children is at risk for a certain type of food allergy. This practice might make parents of kids with food allergies think that they have an allergy themselves.
There's also the possibility that the parents had allergies when they were young, but they eventually grew out of it, and they just haven't been re-tested to see if they still have allergies or not.
This brings to light the importance of getting tested for allergies instead of simply assuming that you may or may not be allergic to a certain type of food.
Allergies and your kids
It's very important to know if your kid has allergies or not. Neeta Ogden, M.D., shares that a lot of parents don't realize that their kids have allergies. She says: "They assume that the constant runny nose and sneezing are just what happens when a child's exposed to day care germs."
That's why if your kid has been found to have an allergy, you'll have to take extra steps in order to prevent allergy attacks. Here are some helpful tips:
- Keep them away from triggers. If your child is allergic to dust or pollen, then keep those triggers away from your child. For food allergies, make sure to check the ingredients on everything that they eat.
- Keep medicine handy. If your child needs to take antihistamines, always keep them handy, especially if you're going on trips. You should also put some in their school bag just in case they are exposed to allergens.
- Teach your kids what they can do. You have to teach your kids what they can do to manage their allergies, such as places, food, and things to avoid as well as when to drink their medicine, and what to do in case of an allergy attack.
- Keep your home clean and tidy. For those with nasal allergies, a clean home does wonders to prevent attacks. Make sure to keep everything tidy and clean, and take out carpets or rugs which harbor dust which can trigger your child's allergies.
- Let people know. Let your child's teacher know about their allergies, what to avoid, and what to do during an allergy attack. Same goes for any baby sitters or relatives. Making sure people know about your child's allergies will prevent any problems.
Sources: Huffington Post, Live Science, WebMD
READ: How to prevent allergy and asthma attacks for children