Saturday 7 January 2012

Different Allergies in Children to Watch Out For

Allergy in children usually develops in particular stages during childhood, although they often overlap, this progression of allergic disorders is known as the Allergic March. Eczema is usually diagnosed first in very young babies, this is often followed by food allergies in the first three years of life, as children get older, they become more likely to develop rhinitis and then asthma, however, if your baby has eczema it doesn't mean that they will go on to develop the other allergies, but it does increase the chances of this happening.
Allergic asthma
According to Asthma UK, one in 11 children in the UK now has asthma. Asthma affects the airways, the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs, if the airways become irritated, e.g. by an allergen, they can become narrower and inflamed, this triggers asthma symptoms.
Symptoms:
According to the British Guideline on the Management of Asthma, asthma in children causes:
Recurrent wheezing
Coughing
Difficulty breathing
Chest tightness
These symptoms are often worse at night and in the early morning. In severe cases, an asthma attack, the child cant breathe enough oxygen into their lungs.
Common triggers:
Allergic triggers include house dust mites, pollen, moulds, pets and very occasionally food allergies. Some children have non-allergic triggers too, such as viral infections, exercise, certain drugs and exposure to fumes or tobacco.
Atopic eczema
According to the National Eczema Society (NES), atopic eczema affects one in five children in the UK; it generally develops in the first six to 12 months of life.
Symptoms
Eczema looks different in each child, but mild cases usually cause dry, scaly red and itchy patches of skin. The intense itching is particularly distressing for children, and young babies may rub their faces on their cot sheets or clothes. In severe cases the skin may weep, crust and bleed, leaving it prone to infection. According to the NES, atopic eczema usually starts on the face and scalp but often spreads to other areas, especially inside the elbows and behind the knees. In severe cases it can cover most of the body.
Common triggers
The main allergic triggers include house dust mites, pets or some food, especially egg. Eczema can also be triggered by other factors, such as stress, soaps, detergents and infections.
Urticaria
According to the British Association of Dermatologists, around one in five people in the UK will experience Urticaria, also called hives, nettle rash or welts, at some point in their lifetime
Symptoms:
Urticaria causes itchy red swellings (weal's) on the surface of the skin; acute symptoms can last up to six weeks, while chronic Urticaria can last for several months. Angioedema is a much more severe form causing large raised bumps, under the surface of the skin as well as puffiness around the eyes and lips
Common triggers: the cause is often never found, although food allergies, medicines, e.g. penicillin, and viral infections are possible triggers.
Oral allergy syndrome
According to Allergy UK, oral allergy syndrome is becoming increasingly common, with as many as one in 20 children affected, it's a form of cross reaction where people who are allergic to birch or hazel pollen or latex also react to some foods( e.g. fruit or nuts)http://www.allergy-zero.com/hypnosis-to-overcome-allergies/

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