Non-food allergies in children

If children have allergies to things like house dust mites, tree or grass pollens, animals, latex, insect stings and bites, they need to avoid these allergens. Symptoms of a mild or moderate allergic reaction include a rash, swelling, tingling, sore stomach, vomiting, hay fever and asthma. Symptoms of a severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis include mouth swelling, throat tightness, a hoarse voice, trouble breathing and fainting. Talk to your doctor about your child’s allergy.

Non-food allergies

Many children are allergic to ordinary things in our homes and environment, like house dust mites, insect stings and bites, pets, grasses, weeds and other pollens. Symotoms of alergy fom mild – moderate to severe reactions.

If you think your child might have allergies, talk to your doctor who doctor might refer you to an allergy specialist, who can assess your child using several methods including:

  • Skin-prick test: your child’s skin is pricked with a special device that looks a bit like a toothpick and that contains a drop of a specific allergen. If a hive comes up where your child’s skin has been pricked, your child probably has an allergy.
  • Blood tests: To look for specific IgE antibody (antibody that causes allegic reaction) directed again a certain suspected allergen. If your child’s blood has a high amount of these specific antibodies, he probably has an allergy. Your child might have this test if he can’t have skin-prick testing

Mild or moderate allergic reaction

Symptoms of a mild or moderate allergic reaction usually include one or more of the following:

  • rash, hives or welts
  • swelling of the face, eyes or lips
  • tingling mouth
  • eczema, hay fever or asthma symptoms – these symptoms might be worse than usual
  • diarrhoea, stomach pain or vomiting.

What to do about mild to moderate reactions
If you think your child is having a mild to moderate allergic reaction, you can give your child a dose of antihistamine.

In fact, having an antihistamine in your home’s first aid kit is a good idea.

Mild and moderate allergic reactions are common, but deaths from allergic reactions are rare. Deaths can happen when there’s a delay in giving life-saving medication to the person having the reaction.

Severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis

A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. Symptoms might include one or more of the following:

•difficult or noisy breathing

•tongue and throat swelling or tightness

•trouble talking or a hoarse voice

•a wheeze or persistent cough

•persistent dizziness or fainting

•paleness and floppiness (for young children)

•low blood pressure

•diarrhoea, stomach pain or vomiting after an insect bite or sting.

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction and needs urgent medical attention. If your child is having an anaphylactic reaction, first lay her flat or keep her sitting. Don’t let her stand or walk around. Next use an adrenaline auto-injector like EpiPen. Then call an ambulance

Medication allergies

Your child might develop a rash or swelling when taking prescription medications like antibiotics. This might be because he has an allergy to the medication. But sometimes rashes and swelling might be caused by an underlying infection rather than an allergy.

If your child has diarrhoea or vomiting after taking medication, it’s probably not an allergic reaction. It’s more likely to be caused by illness or the effect of the medications on the stomach.

Reactions to vaccinations at the site where they’re injected are common and usually include pain, redness and swelling. Your child might also get a mild fever. True allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare.

If your child has a reaction to a medication, it’s best to talk with your GP.

Examples of Common allergens:

Dust mite allergy

Dust mites live in almost every home except for dry and high regions (areas higher than 1,500 m above sea level) . They live in warm, moist places like mattresses, pillows, soft toys, soft furnishings and carpet.

The usual symptoms of dust mite allergy include hay fever, eczema and asthma.

Dust mite allergies aren’t seasonal – they happen throughout the year.

Prevention

It’s best to focus on your child’s bed and bedroom. You can reduce dust mites in these areas by:

•covering your child’s bed with a dust mite cover, which will keep dust mites away from your child when he’s sleeping

•washing sheets and pillow cases every week in 60°C water

•washing blankets, doonas and dust mite covers every two months in hot water

•removing all soft toys from the bedroom, or washing them weekly.

•trying not to have carpets in your home where possible or vacuuming them frequently.

Pet Allergy

Children can become allergic to the hair, dander and saliva of animals like cats, dogs, horses and rabbits.

Prevention:

 If your family pet is the problem, the best way for your child to avoid contact is to keep the animal outside. Don’t let the animal sleep on your child’s bed or in your child’s bedroom.

Allergies to grasses, weeds and pollens

These allergies tend to be worse in the spring and summer months, when grasses and other plants are flowering.

Prevention

•keeping windows and doors shut and staying inside on days with high pollen counts and windy days

•getting your child to have a bath or shower after playing outside, especially if your child feels itchy.

Latex allergy

A latex allergy could be the problem if your child develops redness, a rash or swelling after contact with a product that contains latex. This could be balloons, rubber gloves, baby bottle teats or dummies.

If your child has a latex allergy, you’ll need to tell all medical, dental and other health care professionals who see your child. They must avoid using latex products around her.

Some people have an anaphylactic reaction to latex. If your child experiences any of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, lay him flat, give him an adrenaline auto-injector (if available) and call an ambulance.