Allergic diseases have been rising in the modern world for the past half-century, and global sensitisation rates to common allergies among school-aged children are nearing 40 to 50 per cent. Millions of children worldwide experience allergies, some of which may be severe or fatal.
Parents are often the first line of defence when mitigating their children’s allergies and keeping complications like anaphylaxis, asthma, and infections at bay. Along with ensuring timely first aid responses to allergic symptoms and coordinating with medical professionals like paediatricians, a child’s parents are responsible for teaching them about their condition and keeping the family’s surrounding environment as allergen-free as possible.
As a parent of a child with an allergy, you’ll find allergy management tough. But if you and your child are ready to respond to allergic reactions and prevent them from happening, you won’t have to worry as much about serious health complications. Here are some tips on properly managing allergic rhinitis, skin allergies, indoor allergies, or a food allergy children may experience. Following these tips can keep your child at the peak of their health and even save their life.
Educate Your Child about Their Allergies
One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to teach your child about their allergies and why they happen. If your child knows about their potential allergy triggers and how to be extra careful in situations where they’re at risk, they will be able to do their part in keeping themselves safe.
Have an age-appropriate conversation with your child about allergies and what to do when they experience allergic reactions, like calling an adult for help. To make it easier for them to understand and visualise the concept of allergies, consider reading children’s books or watching educational content together.
Prepare Allergy First Aid Kits for Home and On-the-Go Activities
Allergies can strike anytime, so it’s a good idea to have several allergy first aid kits readily available for the family’s use. These kits should contain antihistamines, hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, decongestants, eye drops, nasal spray, bottled water, and an inhaler if your child is prone to asthma.
Be sure to keep a kit at home and in your car for when you and your family members are on the go. Don’t be remiss in checking your kits and ensuring that they’re regularly replenished, and make sure that they don’t contain expired items.
Make Allergy Cards for You and Your Child to Carry Around
It would also be prudent for you to carry an allergy card for your child and entrust them with their own card. The allergy card can contain a list of things your child is allergic to and who to call in case of an emergency like a severe allergic reaction.
There are several useful applications for an allergy card. For example, you can show it to the child’s daycare provider so that the latter can help your child steer clear of allergens. You can also show the allergy card to the restaurant staff who will prepare meals for your family. That way, it will be easier for waitstaff to recommend safe dishes for your child to consume and for cooks to prepare food free from allergens and cross-contamination.
Keep Your Home Clean and Well-Ventilated
Your home environment will also make a difference in mitigating your child’s indoor allergies to mould, dust mites, pet dander, or insect bites and stings. The cleaner and better ventilated your home are, the safer you and your family will be from bothersome allergies. It’s also important to get anything suspicious checked out as quickly as possible – getting mold inspection in Montpelier, VT, for example, if you suspect there is a problem with this particular substance will mean that, if it is found, it can be dealt with swiftly.
Vacuum your floors, curtains, and carpets regularly, change your bedsheets and pillow covers once a week, circulate fresh air into your home and consider installing an air purifier with a HEPA filter. In addition, get your home checked for pests by pest control experts and stock up on insecticide and child-safe insect repellent.
Consult a Doctor for Further Input on Addressing Your Child’s Allergies
Lastly, remember that while some allergies can last a long time, there are other allergies that your child can grow out of. In the future, your child may be able to naturally outgrow their allergies or be receptive to immunotherapy treatment, which will reduce the risk of allergy attacks.
In either situation, it’s best to get input from a medical doctor. Consult your child’s paediatrician or allergist about the right interventions to take and how to manage your child’s long-term allergy.
Parents, doctors, and even children have a role to play in combating allergies. Make good use of these tips to manage allergies in children and to keep your child safe and healthy.
