Allergies
Your child can be affected by a range of allergies. Asthma is a common allergic reaction to triggers such as house dust mite, colds and pollen, that causes breathing difficulties including persistent coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. A food allergy to peanuts can cause anaphylactic shock, which is an extremely serious total body collapse requiring urgent hospital treatment.
There are common environmental factors that trigger allergies, including keeping furry and feathered pets, house dust mites, pollen and smoking. Research suggests the unborn child of a pregnant smoker is up to 50 per cent more likely to develop asthma later on - and, if affected, your child will probably have several different triggers. There's also a strong hereditary link with allergies, especially if the parents are affected.
Asthma
This causes serious breathing difficulties and a persistent cough. The number of children being diagnosed with asthma is increasing all the time, although no one knows exactly why.
Eczema and other skin allergies
Atopic eczema is one of the most common skin problems in the under-fives and is usually triggered by an allergic reaction to something in the child's environment, for example, to house dust mites, pollen or chlorine. Many children simply grow out of childhood eczema but a few are unlucky enough to have to deal with the condition for the rest of their lives.
Contact dermatitis is an itchy, flaky rash caused by the skin reacting to a substance, such as detergents (use non-bio washing powders if your child has sensitive skin), wool, toiletries or certain metals. Midwives recommend using only water and cotton wool to wash your baby in the early weeks to allow her skin to settle down naturally after the birth.
Urticaria is another allergic skin reaction that causes raised red patches on the skin that are not usually serious and will fade as the reaction dies down.
Food allergies
If you think your child may be suffering from an allergic reaction to certain foods - common triggers include wheat or gluten-based foods, eggs and dairy products - keep a food diary for a week or so, then speak to your GP or dietician (British Dietetic Association). Any changes need to be done under strict medical supervision to ensure your child still gets a nutritionally balanced diet.
Hayfever
If you or your husband or another close relative has hayfever, your child has a higher chance of developing it too. Hayfever is seasonal and symptoms come and go according to the times that the particular triggers - whether that's grasses, flowers or trees - are pollinating. Symptoms include watery, itchy, swollen and sore eyes and there's a range of treatments available, including decongestants and antihistamines, depending on your child's age and the severity of his or her hayfever. Avoidance is the best solution (if you can be sure of what triggers it) but you can also make sure you wash away the dirt that builds up over the day from your child's face, hands and hair at bathtime.
What to do
- If you have a family history of allergies such as asthma or eczema, don't keep furry or feathered pets in the home, or at least limit the areas where they can go
- Breastfeed your baby for at least the first four months to help protect against allergies such as eczema
- Don't smoke during pregnancy or in the home after your baby is born as smoking is a well known risk factor for developing asthma
- If house dust mites trigger your child's allergy, damp dust your home regularly, use a vacuum cleaner with an air filter, use anti-allergy covers on the mattress, pillow and duvet and vacuum the mattress regularly. Also consider having a wooden floor in your child's room and using a blind instead of curtains to cut down on dust
- If you think your baby or child is allergic to a particular food, keep a food/symptoms diary and speak to your GP before altering his or her diet
- For more help and information visit www.allergyuk.org
