Allergies and how they can affect your children

An allergy is a condition in which the body has an exaggerated response to a substance (eg food or drug), also known as hypersensitivity. A number of substances, called 'allergens', may trouble your child. Common examples include pollen, mites, chemicals, and a variety of foods. Allergies can have wide-ranging symptoms including, amongst others, respiratory effects both chronic and seasonal, aching, fatigue, fever, diarrhea, stomach ache, and vomiting.
Allergy is not the same as a food intolerance.

Allergy symptoms

A stuffy and/or runny nose, sneezing, itchy skin and eyes, and/or red, watery eyes are all common indicators of allergies. Whether the condition is seasonal or chronic will depend on the particular allergen involved. Seasonal allergies tend to be caused by pollen. Hay fever is an example. Ongoing or chronic allergies are usually caused by environmental factors.
Regardless of whether symptoms occur seasonally or chronically, a family history is often a common denominator. In reaction to an allergen, a child's immune system releases histamines and similar chemicals. These chemicals result in the visible symptoms that are commonly seen, such as swollen eyes. This is essentially a hypersensitive response. A growing child becomes more capable of fighting off infections as their immune system matures. In a similar way, children may also outgrow allergies.
However, there are means of boosting a child's immune system in order to assist in the meantime. To reduce the effect of allergies on the child and their daily life, certain easy steps can be taken. When it is considered that allergies can contribute to other chronic health problems, such as acne, asthma, bedwetting, chronic ear infections, eczema, irritability, and even difficulty maintaining concentration, it is logical to attempt to adapt your lifestyle to take account of the sensitivity.
Allergic reactions can occur immediately after exposure to the offending substance, or can have a delayed effect. The latter form will obviously make it more difficult to pinpoint  the allergen and as such, it is often best to consult a health practitioner in this respect. However, you may be able to assist in the following ways: -
Diet? As far as possible, attempt to limit the levels of dairy foods in your child's diet. Dairy foods can thicken mucus and stimulate an increase in mucus production that is so often associated with allergic reactions. In the case of seasonal allergies, it is also recommended to avoid whole wheat.
Other foods that are commonly linked to the triggering of hypersensitive reactions include eggs, chocolate, nuts, seafood, and citrus fruits/juices. In order to attempt to identify the cause of the allergy, you may wish to keep a dietary log or to rotate the use of these ingredients in meals.
It is always advisable to encourage your child to drink lots of water. This will help to thin secretions.
Try to remove fatty and oily foods from your child's diet as far as possible. These types of foods place the digestive system under increased strain, which it is less able to cope with whilst dealing with an allergic reaction. In any case, undigested fats contribute to mucus production and encourage a toxic internal environment.

Supplements

For age-appropriate dosages of nutritional supplements.

Herbs - Items that you may hold around the house include...
Fenugreek and thyme, for a mild decongestant.
Garlic has antibacterial properties that are beneficial in healing a chronic runny nose.
Licorice root has a strengthening effect on the adrenal glands. Note: This herb should not be given to a child or adults with high blood pressure.
Nettle can be very helpful for drying out the sinuses. Note: Some children experience stomach upset as a result of taking nettle. If this happens, stop giving the herb. This herb should not tee given to a child under four.

Also see notes of food intolerance.

Prevention of allergic reaction:
 If possible, keep your child from coming into contact with plants that cause an allergic reaction, especially during their pollination seasons.
If applicable, keep pets away from an allergic child's bedroom.
Look for environmental factors that may be contributing to the problem. Possible allergens include dust, molds, cigarette smoke, and wood smoke. It may be necessary to eliminate feather pillows and household items that collect and hold dust, such as stuffed animals.
Check for and eliminate foods that may be the source of a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction.
Take steps to strengthen your child's immune system.
Provide your child with a smoke-free environment.

The herbs Callendulla and butterbur are useful to ease allergic reactions and hay fever.

Allergy and allergic reactions.