Allergies Dust, cats, and peanuts. An odd
grouping, but one with a common thread: allergies. Up to 50
million Americans, including two million children, have some
type of allergy. For most people, allergies are just an
inconvenience. But according to the National Institute for
Allergy and Infectious Disease, they are a major cause of
disability in the U.S. In fact, it has been estimated that
allergies account for the loss of two million school days
per year. An allergy is a reaction of the immune
system toward a substance that is typically harmless to most
people. But in a child with an allergy, the body treats the
substance, called an allergen, as an invader. At the first exposure to an allergen,
the immune system produces an antibody. With each exposure,
more antibodies are created. When the antibodies are
activated to defend against the allergen "invader" it causes
allergic reactions -- coughing, sneezing, runny nose and
watery eyes and/or congestion. Some of the most common allergies
include those to airborne allergens such as pollen and dust
mites, animal dander, and foods. Allergies can be seasonal,
like pollen, or year-round, like dust mites. Regional
differences also occur. Different allergens are more
prevalent in different parts of the country or the world.
For example, peanut allergy is unknown in Scandinavia, where
they do not eat peanuts, but common in the U.S., where the
per capita consumption of peanuts is about eight pounds a
year. However, moving to another region is not likely to
eliminate a child's allergies. He will probably develop
allergies to the irritants in his new
environment. Children inherit allergies from their
parents. If one parent has allergies, there is a one in four
chance that a child will also have allergies. The risk
increases if both parents have allergies. However, the child
only inherits the likelihood of having allergies, not a
particular allergy. Allergies also tend to occur in
clusters. If a child is allergic to one substance, it is
likely that he will be allergic to others as well. There are
also children who suffer from cross-reactions. For example,
children who are allergic to birch pollen might have
reactions when they eat apples, because apple protein is
similar to the pollen. The type and severity of allergy
symptoms vary from allergy to allergy and child to child.
Some children may experience a combination of
symptoms. Airborne allergens can cause sneezing,
itchy nose and/or throat, nasal congestion, and coughing;
this is known as allergic rhinitis. These symptoms are often
accompanied by itchy, watery, and/or red eyes, which is
called allergic conjunctivitis. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis and
conjunctivitis can range from minor seasonal annoyances to
year-round problems. If they occur with wheezing and
shortness of breath, the allergy may have progressed to
become asthma, which can be a serious condition. In children with food allergies, some
only exhibit "oral allergy syndrome" - an itchy mouth and
throat. Others develop a rash or cramping accompanied by
nausea and vomiting or diarrhea, as the body attempts to
flush out the irritant. Other common symptoms are hives,
wheezing, rhinitis, and shortness of breath. If the sensitivity to an allergen is
extreme, a child may develop a life-threatening condition
called anaphylactic shock. Severe symptoms or reactions to
any allergen require immediate medical attention. Some allergies are fairly easy to
identify; the pattern of symptoms following certain
exposures can be hard to miss. But some allergies are
trickier, because they can masquerade as other
conditions. If your child has cold-like symptoms
lasting longer than a week or two or develops a "cold" at
the same time every year, consult your pediatrician. The
pediatrician will likely ask questions about the nature of
the symptoms and when they appear. Based on the answers to
these questions and a physical exam, the doctor may be able
to make a diagnosis or may refer you to an allergist for
allergy skin tests. There is no cure for allergies, but
symptomatic relief is possible. One of the most important
means is by reducing or eliminating exposure to allergens or
"triggers". If reducing exposure is inadequate, medications
may be prescribed. In some cases, an allergist may recommend
allergy shots to help desensitize the child. Unlike allergic rhinitis, food
allergies are lifelong and a child cannot be desensitized.
Avoiding the food is the only way to avoid symptoms. Common
foods that may cause allergies include cow's milk, soy, egg
whites, wheat, shellfish, and peanuts. Peanuts are one of
the most severe food allergens, often causing
life-threatening reactions. If a child is extremely
sensitive to a particular food, his physician will probably
recommend that you carry injectable epinephrine or
adrenaline to counteract the allergic reaction in the event
of an inadvertent exposure. Fortunately, severe or
life-threatening allergies occur only in a small group of
children Allergy Triggers Dust mites are one of the most common
causes of allergies and are present year-round. Dust
comprises many particles and can contain things such as
fabric fibers and bacteria, as well as microscopic dust
mites. The dust mite is the main allergic component of house
dust. Dust mites live in bedding, upholstery, and carpets.
Cockroach body parts and waste products are also a major
household allergen, especially in urban areas. Pollen is another important cause of
allergies. Trees, weeds, and grasses release these tiny
particles into the air to fertilize other plants. Most
people know pollen allergy as hay fever or rose fever.
Pollen allergies are seasonal, and the type of pollen a
child is allergic to determines when he will be symptomatic.
For example, in the mid-Atlantic states, tree pollination
begins in February and March, grass from April through June,
and ragweed from August through October. Pollen counts measure how much pollen
is in the air. Pollen counts are usually higher in the
morning and on warm, dry, breezy days; they are lowest when
it is chilly and wet. Although they are not exact, the local
weather report's pollen count can be helpful when planning
outside activities. Molds are fungi that thrive both
indoors and out in warm, moist environments. As with pollen,
mold spores are released into the air to reproduce. Outside,
molds may be found in poor drainage areas, such as in piles
of rotting leaves or compost piles; indoors they thrive in
dark, poorly ventilated places, such as bathrooms and
closets. Mold buildup may be found in damp basements or
basements with water leaks. A musty odor suggests mold
growth. Although molds can be seasonal, many thrive
year-round, especially those indoors. Animal allergens Warm-blooded furry animals, such as
the average household pet, can cause allergic reactions,
usually because of a protein in their saliva, dander, and
urine. When the animal licks itself, the saliva gets on the
fur. As the saliva dries, protein particles become airborne
and work their way into fabrics in the home. Cats are the
"worst offenders" because their salivary protein is
extremely tiny and they tend to lick themselves more than
other animals. Guinea pigs and gerbils can also cause
allergies, most likely due to protein in their
urine. COMMON
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