How to understand what your child is allergic to

1. Notice when your child has a reaction

Allergy is an increased sensitivity to certain elements of the external environment. The irritant enters the body and triggers the production of antibodies (immunoglobulins), which are designed to neutralize the foreign substance. The next time an allergen is hit, the body releases histamine, a compound that causes allergy symptoms. Typically the reaction includes Symptoms. Allergies some of this into itself:

• Prolonged sneezing, stuffy, "flowing" or persistent itchy nose.
• Reddened and watery eyes.
• Cough, wheezing in the chest, difficulty breathing.
• Skin irritation or redness.
• Swelling of the tongue, lips, eyes, or the entire face.
• Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea.
• Dry, chapped skin.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, track exactly when the reaction occurs. After a walk in the forest or playing with a kitten? Or maybe it became harder for him to breathe when you changed your perfume? In any case, fix the moment. A number of other diseases are similar to allergy symptoms: asthma, bacterial and viral infections, dermatitis. Only a physician can make an accurate diagnosis, and in this he will be helped by detailed information about the reaction of the child's body.

Most frequentChildren & Allergies allergies in children - to pollen, plants, insect bites, animal hair, house dust, mold, tobacco smoke, perfume. But at the same time, absolutely unexpected things can cause a reaction: water (more precisely, the substances that it contains), sunlight, cold.

2. Watch what your child eats

Food may be to blame. Here are the most common food allergens.

Milk and dairy products. Most often, allergies to them occurThe 8 Most Common Food Allergies in children under three years of age. The reaction appears within half an hour after eating. If the child is not lactose tolerant, yoghurts, cream, butter, ice cream can be dangerous.

Chicken eggs. The second most common allergy in children, which most outgrowThe 8 Most Common Food Allergies by the age of 16. In this case, only the egg white or only the yolk can cause a reaction. 70% of children with this allergy canTolerance to cooked egg in an egg allergic population calmly eat pastries with eggs as part of the dough.

Nuts. Common allergens are peanuts, almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, pistachios, pine nuts. However, if the child is allergic to one type of nut, it is betterDietary management of peanut and tree nut allergy: what exactly should patients avoid? avoid them in principle: the reaction can be aggravated.

Wheat. Or rather, one of its proteins is gluten known to everyone. He especially often deliversFood Allergy: Epidemiology and Natural History problems for children under the age of 10, but can cause intolerance in adults.

These aren't the only allergens, so it's important to keep a close eye on what your child eats. Remember that the allergen may not come from you: your grandmother gave you candy or a friend treated you to chips. Explain to your child that he must tell you the truth: if he went with classmates to the movies where he drank soda and popcorn, you should be aware of this as it can have a direct impact on allergies.

3. Discuss symptoms with your doctor

To understand exactly what is causing your child's reaction, make an appointment with your doctor. The first step is to go to the pediatrician who observes the child from birth. He will be able to rule out other diseases and refer you to an allergist who will conduct a deeper study. Allergy is influenced by many factors: the state of immunity, heredity, the age of the child, the season, concomitant diseases. The specialist will be able to assess the history, choose the correct diagnosis and treatment.

4. Select a diagnostic method

Allergies can be detected in several ways. The doctor will offer you to choose one of them or advise the most suitable one.

Skin tests (prick test)

The doctor makes small scratches on the skin and injects droplets of the most common allergens into them. If the blood contains antibodies to the substance, a swelling occurs at the site of the scratch. Usually, samples are taken on the skin of the back or forearm. A positive reaction manifests itselfAllergic tests and immunotherapy within 20 minutes. For a prick test, it is usually recommended to stop taking antihistamines.

Intradermal tests

If the prick test gives mixed results, the doctor may need to inject the allergen into the upper layers of the skin. This test is doneAllergic tests and immunotherapy only after routine skin tests, since with direct injection of the substance there is a small risk of a systemic allergic reaction: Quincke's edema may occur. The test result also appears after 20 minutes.

Blood test (radioallergosorbent test)

Doctors recommend this analysis to those who for some reason cannot have skin tests. For example, when it is not possible to interrupt the intake of antihistamines or the skin condition does not allow a prick test. Blood test givesAllergic tests and immunotherapy a less complete picture than skin tests, it is more expensive, and the result must be expected up to two days. Therefore, this type of analysis is less commonly used in the diagnosis of allergies.

Serum analysis (Immunocap)

The most modern and highly accurate method for diagnosing allergies that have come up withImmunoCAP. Allergy diagnostics in Sweden. It allows you to determine the presence of antibodies in plasma or serum. It can also be carried out while taking antihistamines. For analysis, the child will take blood from a vein, and the test results will be as detailed and extensive as possible.

5. Protect your child from allergens

While you are waiting for a visit to the doctor or the test result, you need to do everything to make life easier for your child. The most important thing is to exclude contact with the suspected allergen. When you're not sure what exactly triggers the reaction, start with the most common ones: pollen, tobacco smoke, animal hair. Clean your home often: dust off, wash floors, vacuum furniture and mattresses. Adjust your diet and eliminate major food allergens just in case. When it is clear that the problem is precisely in the allergy, an antihistamine can be given.