Allergies… A chronic disease that many modern children suffer from. When children have to be hospitalized frequently and have to rinse their noses until it becomes a routine, many parents probably think, if given a choice… can they prevent their children from having allergies from the start?
Allergy is an abnormal overreaction of the body to allergens
Allergens can be divided into 2 types: airborne allergens such as dust, dust mites, cockroaches, animal hair, pollen, fungi, and food allergens such as cow’s milk, soy milk, seafood, eggs, etc. When the body is exposed to allergens, it causes chronic inflammation in various organs such as the skin system, respiratory system, and digestive system, resulting in symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, snoring, rashes on the body, frequent eye rubbing. These symptoms are chronic but intermittent. Therefore, when you notice your child has these symptoms, you should see a doctor early for allergy treatment.
Is your child at risk of allergies?
Genetics Allergies can be inherited. If one parent has allergies, the child has a 20% – 40% chance of having allergies. If both parents have allergies, the child has a 50% – 80% chance of having allergies, but the child may have a different type of allergy than the parents.
Environment Only 15% of people with allergies do not have a genetic cause but develop allergies due to environmental factors such as dust mites, cockroaches, pet hair, cigarette or car smoke, or even consuming cow’s milk or soy milk instead of breast milk during the first 6 months, which increases the risk of allergies in children.
Common allergy symptoms
- Asthma: Allergies trigger swelling and narrowing of the respiratory tract, causing wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. This may occur at night, during exercise, or when having a cold. However, asthma can also be caused by other factors.
- Allergic rhinitis: Causes sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, and clear runny nose. Symptoms are chronic and can occur year-round or during the rainy season.
- Atopic dermatitis: Causes itchy, red skin rashes, usually chronic and mostly found in young children. Symptoms occur when triggered by heat, sweating, or food allergies.
- Urticaria (hives): Causes itching, swelling, raised rashes, caused by allergies to certain medications and foods, or infections from some viruses or bacteria.
- Food allergies: Caused by allergic reactions to food proteins. Symptoms can affect multiple systems such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea with mucus and blood in the stool in the digestive system; rashes and hives on the skin; and wheezing, nasal congestion, and chronic runny nose in the respiratory system.
- Conjunctivitis: Causes burning, itching, tearing, frequent eye rubbing, and dark circles under the eyes. Often occurs together with allergic rhinitis.
Children snoring… may be caused by allergies
Snoring in children can also be caused by allergies. Frequent respiratory infections cause chronic inflammation and enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids located behind the nasal cavity, blocking the upper airway. This causes snoring or noisy breathing during sleep. Severe symptoms may cause periodic breathing pauses, which can be dangerous for the child.
How to treat allergies
Avoid allergens: We need to observe the cause of the allergy first, which may be dust, dust mites, animal hair, or certain foods. Once the cause is known, avoiding allergens is a way to prevent allergies.
Use medication regularly and follow the doctor’s instructions: When prescribed allergy medication, take it as directed. If nasal saline rinses and nasal sprays are recommended, use them properly for the best treatment results.
Maintain good physical health: Simple health care includes eating a balanced diet with all five food groups, getting enough rest, exercising regularly, and importantly, avoiding allergens. This reduces the chance of developing allergies.
Allergies can be prevented with vaccines
Vaccines are another method to treat allergies. Vaccines can treat two types of allergies: airborne allergies and asthma. The doctor injects the allergen that the patient is allergic to, gradually increasing the amount to reduce the body’s allergic response. Injections must be given weekly continuously for at least 3 – 5 years.
Prof. Dr. Jarungjit Ngamphaiboon
Allergy and Immunology Specialist
Child and Adolescent Health Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
