WHAT IS AN ALLERGY / WHY ALLERGY HAPPEN?

Allergy is a problem of our immune system, in which there is an abnormal response to substances that we usually do not react against. For example food, drinks, medicines, house dust, pollen, usually do not stimulate an immune response in healthy persons. Substances that do provoke an allergic reaction are known as allergens.

Examples of allergies include:

a) Hayfever, which is an allergy of the nose

b) Asthma, which is an allergy of the lungs

c) Eczema, which is an allergy of the skin

d) Hives, other skin allergies

e) Food allergy, which is an allergy of the gut

f) allergic conjunctivitis, which is an allergy of the eyes

HOW COMMON ARE ALLERGIES / WHEN ALLERGY SEASON?

No one knows for sure, but one estimate claims that half the people in the world have an allergy of some sort during their lifetime. Even if this figure is wrong, allergies are certainly sufficiently common for each of us to know Someone who has an allergy.

WHAT IS ATOPY?

This describes a group of allergic conditions including asthma, hay fever, and eczema.

MY CHILD HAS A SENSITIVE NOSE, AND HE HAS A RUNNY SECRETION EVERY MORNING. CAN ALLERGY CAUSE COUGH / CAN ANYTHING BE DONE ABOUT IT?

This allergy of the nose is so common that many of us regard it as a form of a nuisance that we have learned to ignore. However, it can be quite distressing to the child, and may even interfere with his schoolwork. It may be precipitated by cool or dusty air, animal hair, or pollen. Temporary relief may be obtained by:

a) An oral decongestant

b) An antihistamine

c) A nasal decongestant spray

d) A steroid nasal spray may help prevent further nasal secretions but is of little value in stopping the immediate runny nose.

WHAT IS ECZEMA?

This is an allergy characterized by dry, scaly, elbows, the back of the knees, the wrists, itchy skin. lt may occur in the neck, the bends of cheeks, and scalp. It can be intensely itchy, and the child might scratch the skin until it bleeds. The damaged skin is a portal of entry for bacterial and viral infections. Infected skin further exacerbates the allergic response of the skin, and causes even more itchiness, hence perpetuating a vicious cycle.

HOW CAN YOU TREAT ECZEMA / WILL ALLERGY RASH GO AWAY?

Avoid anything that might irritate the skin. Bathe Wear loose cotton with non-perfumed Soap, clothes. Try to stay in a cool environment, as it is known that heat can exacerbate itchiness. Discover if there are any foods that can cause itching in the child, and avoid them. Keep the skin moist after bathing with an emulsifying lotion or urea cream, and do not use powders. Apply a mild steroid cream on the skin 3 or 4 times a day. Reduce itchiness With an antihistamine. If there is a bacterial infection of the skin, antibiotics may be necessary.

WHAT FOODS AND DRINKS ARE KNOWN TO BE POTENTIAL ALLERGENS IN A CHILD WITH ECZEMA?

Certain foods and drinks are now known to intensify itchiness in a child with eczema. Not all children have the same response to food or drink, and no single child is allergic to all the items listed below:

a) Shellfood: prawns, crabs, oysters, oyster sauce

b) Milk products: milk, butter, cream, cheese, cakes, most biscuits, some bread, sausages, pizza

c) Chicken and eggs

d) Beef

e) Citrus fruits: oranges, lemons, and their drinks Strawberries

g) Nuts: walnuts

h) Food additives: monosodium glutamate

This list is not complete but gives you an idea of some of the better-known allergens that trigger off eczema. You will notice that some of these foods and drinks may trigger off an allergy of another system (eg food allergy or asthma) in a different child.

THEY SAY THAT FOOD ALLERGIES CAN CAUSE HYPERACTIVE BEHAVIOUR IN CHILDREN. IS THAT TRUE?

This is still a controversial issue. A controlled study was done in America to ascertain if there is any connection between diet and hyperactivity, suggesting that one child in eight seems to benefit from a diet that avoids certain potential allergens.