Babies Worldwide

It is coming into the time of year when allergies begin to strike and according to research allergies are on the increase with about one third of the population now complaining of at least one allergy.

When anyone gets an allergy the bodies immune system is overreacting to what are harmless substances – called allergens – and attacking it with antibodies, that’s what causes reactions such as itching, rashes, and swelling. Here are a list of the most common allergens and these can effect both adults and babies.

Chemicals you’ll find in most homes like bathroom fresheners

The common house dust mite.

When outside, especially at this time of year, pollen from trees and weeds.

Many people also react badly to pet hair, although you may find that while you react to dog hair you may not react to cat hair so if you really do want a pet visit homes where you know dogs and cats and other pets are kept and get up close and friendly with them.

Allergic reactions to foods such as eggs and milk are also on the increase.

In babies the most common allergy is asthma and eczema. An amazing one in five babies suffer from either or both. There is a large degree of hereditary with these conditions so if either parents (and sometimes grandparents) suffer from these prepare for the worse.

There are two types of eczema infantile seborrheoic eczema which shows as a greasy, scaly rash and affects around half of all babies under twelve months. It doesn’t usually need treatment and will go away by the time she is one.

Atopic eczema makes the skin dry, inflamed and flaky. It is treated with steroid creams and antihistamins to soothe the skin. Try to keep the outbreaks to a minimum by:

Vacuum every day to reduce dust mites.

Dress her in cotton clothing and use cotton bedding.

Use a non-bio washing powder.

Keep her finger nails short and use scratch mittens at night to stop her scratching the rash.

There is a good chance your child’s atopic eczema will clear up in her early teens.

Asthma can be frightening for both you and the child. Asthma is usually caused by an allergic reaction that swells the airways making it difficult for the child to breathe, although it can also be caused by a cold or virus. You can help to reduce the severity and frequency of attacks by:

Not using air fresheners and similar household chemicals

Stopping smoking.

Vacuum daily to reduce house dust mites. Also vacuum curtains and bedding, and try to keep cuddly toys out of the bedroom.

Not keeping pets if there is a family history of animal allergies.

Breastfeeding for the first six months if at all possible. This will give your child some antibodies not found in formula milk.

Asthma is usually treated with a steroid inhaler, also known as a puffer. Young children cannot use a puffer, instead they have a ’spacer’, a transparent container through which the puffer is squirted into one end and the child inhales the vapour through the other. There are two types of puffer, a ‘preventer’ taken daily to prevent an attack; and a ‘reliever’ which, as the name suggests, is used when the child is having an attack. With asthma too there is a good chance the allergy will disappear as the child grows up.

If you are concerned about giving a young baby medications you may wish to consult a alternative health practioner who will be able to suggest alternative or complementary treatments; but always make sure that he or she is registered with a recognized body

Tags: allergies, asthhma, childhood illnesses, eczema, Food Allergies

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 at 7:43 am and is filed under Childhood Illnesses. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.