Holy Station

Archive for the ‘Allergy’ Category

Allergies in children can be pretty scary because children cannot always articulate what is happening with their bodies. So it is left to parents and caretakers to be watchful for behaviors and symptoms that might indicate the child is in discomfort or serious trouble. Here are 3 of the most common types of allergies that affect children, their symptoms, and some suggestions that will help.

Food-25% of children age 5 and under suffer from food allergies in the U. S. and that number has risen more than 15% since the late 1990s. Food allergies affect both boys and girls with African American boys being most at risk. Unfortunately, children with food allergies are more likely to develop other related health issues as your child grows older. Common products that affect children are peanuts and nuts to the point that many schools are now peanut-free, and peanut products are prohibited in many schools to avoid any chance that an allergic child might be affected. Wheat, dairy products, seafood, and soybeans are also frequent allergens.

The best way to prevent a reaction is to avoid the foods. But this is often easier said than done. Read food labels carefully. Avoid products that are manufactured in the same plant, or with shared equipment of a food to which your child is allergic. Inform others of their allergies– at school, day care, on play dates, at church. As your child grows and is able to communicate effectively, explain how important it is for them to let others know what they can safely consume. Allergy shots or allergen immunology can help decrease sensitivity to various allergens over time. Consult with your child’s allergist to see if this is an option. And most importantly, always have a plan in place for emergencies. It could very well save your child’s life.

Contact Dermatitis-This is skin reaction that is generally precipitated by contact with natural or man made substances in insecticides, household chemicals, laundry detergents, fragrances, and synthetic fabrics in clothing and bedding to name only a few. Symptoms include red, swollen and/or itchy skin, wheels, and whelps. It is generally located specifically at the point of contact, and usually resolves when the irritant is removed. To reduce flare ups use organic fabrics for clothing and bedding, wash clothing and bedding before your child uses them, and use a detergent such as Dreft that is gentle on young skin.

Airborne-Allergens that are airborne can be found both inside and outside. Outdoor allergens can be seasonal and include a variety of pollens, mold, and mildew spores. The good news is that once the season for the allergen passes, the symptoms often leave as well. If your child’s allergies are serious enough, your pediatrician may recommend an allergist who will help formulate a plan for effectively dealing with the allergies. It may include medication, and an Epipen (a pre-packaged, ready to inject dose of epinephrine) for emergencies. Be sure to follow the plan, and make others aware of the plan include teachers, substitute teachers, bus drivers, and all other who interact with your child.

Indoor allergens are tougher to avoid, will not go away without help, and include irritants such as household dust, dust mites, and pet dander. These need to be dealt with constantly to provide relief. Some non-invasive solutions include washing bed linen weekly in water 140 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter to reduce the dust mite population, removing carpets that make it easy for allergens to hide and difficult for you to eliminate them, and use a high efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) air purifier to remove airborne dust, mold and mildew spores, and other common indoor allergens.

While children can be born with various allergies, some develop later in life. One such example is a dust mite allergy, which may appear during childhood or the teenage years. Living with a child who has this type of allergy is very challenging, and parents often think that dust-gathering toys, particularly stuffed animals, have to be eliminated.

For infants and young toddlers, this might not be much of an ordeal, but how do parents manage to keep stuffed animals in an older child’s room, especially when they are attached to a particular one? A lot of kids become fond of a favorite bear or animal, making it a difficult transition from regular play to dust-free play.

To keep a child’s bedroom as free from dust as possible, bed linens and other items known for collecting dust, like stuffed animals, need to be washed regularly. They should always be washed in hot water; if this is not possible, a dryer can be used to eliminate any stubborn dust mites that remain.

There are specifically-designed solutions that can be added to washing water to kill dust mites. Some experts are hesitant to prescribe such mixtures, since the effects of some additives are questionable. However, there are organic solutions on the market, which help to eliminate even more dust mites than washing alone. Despite the washing method used, stuffed animals should be washed weekly, or bi-weekly at most.

Another way to kill dust mites is by placing stuffed animals in the freezer. Wrapped in a bag, about forty-eight hours in an extremely cold environment will prevent dust mites from being able to survive. In order to flourish and multiply, mites require an ideal temperature, explaining why strong heat or coldness produces an inhabitable environment. In fact, even a few hours’ worth of hot sun exposure will kill dust mites.

When purchasing stuffed animals for a child with a dust mite allergy, select small items that are washable and, preferably, dryer-friendly. If your child is drawn to a larger stuffed animal, be sure it will fit in the washer, dryer, or freezer (when using the freezer, remember that larger animals will need more time to reach a frigid temperature than smaller ones).

Taking control of a dust mite allergy requires some awareness, creativity, and additional housework, but being able to keep your child’s treasured toys is well worth the struggle. The good news is, a dust mite allergy doesn’t have to control your family’s lives. With all the changes going on within the house to alleviate the dust mite count, your child will appreciate sharing the journey with his or her favorite stuffed friend.

A hypersensitivity reaction is a heightened response elicited from the normal immune system. Generally, it requires a re-exposure after sensitization (immune state) of a susceptible individual. All allergies are hypersensitivity reactions. However, hypersensitivity is not all about allergies because the immune system can react differently to various types of stimuli, largely in terms of the mechanisms involved and the time taken to produce a reaction. There are four specific classifications of hypersensitivity reactions. To provide a better understanding, the following is a brief description of the mechanisms of each reaction.

Type I: Anaphylactic Hypersensitivity

Most allergies are identified as type I hypersensitivity reactions. An anaphylactic hypersensitivity requires an initial exposure to a specific substance called an antigen. In turn, the immune system produces IgE antibodies that bind to receptors on mast cells found in blood vessels, mucosal linings, skin, and other connective tissues. When a person is re-exposed to that antigen, the antigen binds with the antibody receptors on mast cells and produces a chain of reactions that triggers the release of chemicals causing allergic symptoms.

Anaphylactic hypersensitivity occurs within minutes of exposure to an antigen, and is considered to be an immediate reaction.

Type II: Cytotoxic Hypersensitivity

Unlike, the previous hypersensitivity type reaction, type II hypersensitivity involves IgG or IgM antibodies. The immune system mistakes a normal body constituent as a foreign material. The IgG or IgM antibodies react with antigen bound on body cells and cause cell and tissue damage. This hypersensitivity reaction can be seen in myasthenia gravis, hemolytic disease of the newborn, and some autoimmune diseases.

Type III: Immune Complex Hypersensitivity

An immune complex reaction involves the binding of antigens of antibodies that forms immune complexes in the circulation. As certain white blood cells attempt to clear these immune complexes from the circulation, they release chemicals that could possibly cause inflammation to adjacent tissues where immune complexes are deposited.

Type IV: Delayed Hypersensitivity

Some allergies like allergic contact dermatitis involve a delayed hypersensitivity reaction that occurs 24-72 hours after exposure to the antigen or allergen. It is mediated by T cells and enzymes released from macrophages.

While most forms of allergy only cause misery, an extreme reaction to an allergen can possibly result in death. Those who suffer this type of allergy reaction, commonly referred to as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock, must receive allergy treatment immediately. It is important to recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis so you can offer the lifesaving treatment these people need.

Anaphylaxis can occur when a person is exposed to a substance they are allergic to. There reactions come on quickly and their symptoms are often life threatening. Perhaps the most common forms of allergic reaction that results in anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock are those from bee stings.

However, patients with food allergies who ingest a food they are allergic to can also suffer an anaphylactic reaction. It should be noted there is a difference between the terms anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis refers simply to a severe allergy reaction while anaphylactic shock is the most extreme form of anaphylaxis. This type of shock will result in death in just a few moments if help is not sought right away.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include trouble breathing, low blood pressure, itching, and swelling of the mouth, face, neck and throat. The allergy sufferer may also become flushed, develop hives or even become unconscious. The most dangerous symptom is the swelling around the throat which can cause the airway to become restricted. Because of this swelling, rescue breathing – which is the part of CPR where one person helps the other person breathe – may not be successful.

If you or someone you know is prone to anaphylaxis be prepared in case you suffer a reaction. Be sure those around you know what to do in the case you have a reaction and aren’t able to speak. For those who suffer these reactions regularly, you doctor may prescribe an anaphylaxis kit. These kits include a shot of epinephrine which can help save a person suffering from a severe reaction.

The epinephrine is a form of adrenaline that speeds up your heart beat and helps keep your airways from constricting. If your doctor prescribes a kit for you, keep it with you at all times. Also, check it regularly to make sure the shot is still in date as an out of date shot may not be potent enough to help your reaction.

If you suspect someone is suffering anaphylaxis and they don’t have an epinephrine shot, there are some things you can do to help them. First, get them to a hospital or medical facility as soon as possible. If necessary, call an ambulance, they may be able to get to you more quickly than you can drive to the hospital.

While you are waiting for the ambulance, try giving the person an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). This will combat the histamines that are causing the reaction. Liquid diphenhydramine is best, but if all you have are capsules, break the capsules open and give the person the powder out of them directly. This way the medicine will immediately enter the person’s bloodstream instead of having to wait for the capsule to dissolve.

Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock are both dangerous, possibly life threatening situations. Be familiar with the symptoms of this dangerous condition so that you can recognize if someone is suffering anaphylaxis and you can get this person the allergy treatment they need.

Allergies are very common, and most people will know what an allergy is. If you are unaware of what an allergy is, it is a type of bad reaction inside the immune system to a ordinary mild substance. Someone who does not suffer from any type of allergies will most likely have no reaction to the substance. However when there is someone who has allergies, their body will be set off by an encounter with the substance, the body will then respond by realizing chemicals, this will be the reason for the allergy.

When children experience a reaction it can be seen as eczema and most likely be a food allergy. Children that do experience eczema will be at a high risk of getting a type of asthma or allergic rhinitis; which is more than likely to happen when children are in school.

By adulthood eczema will probably go away likewise with many other food allergies. Asthma or allergic rhinitis can sometimes form during their teenage years and when they are young adults, and are likely to hang around throughout their lives. An allergic symptom may, however not be permanent and will disappear eventually.

An atopic dermatitis (eczema), is usually the first sign of an allergy and can be seen in up to 20% of children, normally around the infant age. This form of allergy is consisted with itching, and a rash. The rash will appear to be dry and red, could have small blisters and may ooze or flake overtime. For infants this rash may be on the face most typically around the cheeks, the chest, the back of the scalp, and could form on the arms and legs. Where the distribution is, is where the children are most likely to scratch. The rash will be different for older children to younger children. For adults the rash will most likely be behind the knees or on the elbows.

A food allergy will happen at any stage of someones life. If there is a food allergy that has evolved it will result in a skin symptom, like swelling, hives or a redness on the skin, because of eating the food that started it. The symptom can arise quickly or it may take a while to show up. There are other symptoms involved with a food allergies, they can be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches not being able to breath sneezing, lightheadedness or a runny nose.

Symptoms can occur at any time but if they are food allergies a rash will appear. Children will most likely develop a form of eczema when they are allergic to something. Some allergies may also disappear over time. However, any type of allergy should be treated and seen by a doctor.

Having a stomach ache can be really unpleasant. It could be just a little ache, mild enough for you to be able to ignore completely, or it could be horribly severe. However, it doesn’t matter how severe the pain is, it will disturb your life in a big way. In order to deal with this problem, you first need to know about underlying causes.

There could be any number of causes of a stomach ache, and a doctor will be able to tell you why you have it. Most causes are not serious and you don’t have to worry about the pain you are going through. But it is quite advisable that you be aware of which symptoms warrant a visit to the hospital, before anything serious arises.

The reasons behind a stomach ache could be any one of many. These include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, problems with digesting food or you might be suffering from a stomach bug. Appendicitis is another possible cause and if you suspect this, you should go see the doctor as soon as you can. In relation to what you are taking in your diet, your stomach ache may be happening because of food allergies or maybe even food poisoning.

It could also be because you are lactose intolerant and took in milk by accident. A problem with wind is another reason. Stomach aches are quite common when a woman is menstruating. Few women manage to get through their monthly period without experiencing some form of abdominal pain. Other causes of stomach ache include ulcers, pelvic inflammatory disease, hernia, gallstones, kidney stones, endometriosis, Crohn’s disease, urinary tract infection and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

If you go to a doctor, he will determine the reason for your stomach ache by doing an in-depth physical exam and corroborating his findings by asking you questions. These questions are related to the area where the pain is, how severe it is, what type it is (like perhaps needles poking into you or a burning pain), how long you have been experiencing the pain and if the pain is extending elsewhere in the body.

Depending on your answers, you may need to get an ultrasound done or maybe an x-ray. If it is a harmless pain, then you may be given some medicine to deal with it, or antibiotics if it turns out to be an infection. Unfortunately, for severe cases, surgery might become necessary.