Much has been written about allergy, but even with an abundance of information there are some questions about this serious disease that parents ask most often. Parents are interested in how you can determine that the child allergies, how and when to check for allergies. Are set and many other questions that already have answers. Therefore, we will try to answer the most frequent questions about allergies in children.
1. How do I know that a child has an allergic reaction to some foods?
Food allergies in children are predominantly in milk, wheat, eggs and nuts. The most common allergic reactions such as urticaria, swelling of the lips, tongue or face, wheezing. These reactions begin soon after the child eats a product, and these symptoms recur every time the child eats the product again. In addition, the test will confirm the presence of an allergy to a particular food product. Sometimes food reactions manifest themselves as eczema or mild persistent asthma. This means that the child regularly consumes milk or eggs that cause him allergies. You can determine if you are allergic to any product by gradually removing from the child’s diet those foods that you suspect.
2. Is there a hereditary allergy?
The tendency to develop allergies is inherited from parents to a child. If one of the parents suffers from allergies (has hay fever or allergic asthma), the probability that the child will suffer from allergies is about 40%. If both parents are allergic, the likelihood increases to almost 75%. However, there are cases of allergies that are not related to heredity.
3. At what age can you check your child for allergies?
If you are allergic to products such as milk, eggs, peanuts, or you just suspect it, a skin test or an appropriate blood test can be done at any age. If a child has asthma or hay fever, a skin test can also be done at any age. The need for testing depends on the degree and severity of the symptoms.
4. What to do if the child is allergic to artificial baby food and there is no possibility to breastfeed?
Most types of baby food are based on cow’s milk. But there are a number of baby food developed for children suffering from allergies or intolerance to dairy products. Such types of baby food include those made on the basis of soy milk, wheat milk, lactose-free milk, such food also contains protein and basic amino acids. The doctor should advise which lactose-free diet is preferable for your child.
5. Is it possible to give the child an antihistamine medication? Better OTC or prescription?
There are a number of antihistamines for children that can be bought at a pharmacy (over-the-counter). The instructions for use of the drug indicate the age for which this drug is recommended, and also that the drug should not be given to children younger than the age indicated on the package. Prescription antihistamines of the first generation can have a sedative effect, and parents should be careful with their use.
New antihistamines (the so-called second-generation drugs), which are issued only by prescription, are mostly not sedative, but quite effective. Parents should consult a doctor so that he can prescribe a drug that is appropriate for the child’s age.