Every fall, 5-year-old Luke develops a runny nose, itchy, puffy eyes, and attacks of sneezing. Luke's mother shares the problem, dismissing it as mild hay fever, and something her son has to learn to live with. Lately, however, Luke has also suffered attacks of wheezing and shortness of breath when he visits his grandparents and plays with their cats. Luke's pediatrician suspects allergic asthma and recommends some tests.
Luke's symptoms are by no means rare among children across the United States. Allergies and asthma often start in childhood and continue throughout life. Although neither can be cured, with proper care they can usually be kept under control.
What causes allergies?
Allergies are caused by the body's reaction to substances called "allergens." Allergies trigger the immune system to react to harmless substances as though they were attacking the body.
Some allergies are easy to identify by the pattern of symptoms that follows exposure to a particular substance. But others are subtler, and may masquerade as other conditions. Here are some common clues that could lead you to suspect your child may have an allergy.
When to suspect an allergy
Repeated or chronic cold-like symptoms that last more than a week or two, or that develop at about the same time every year.
Allergy symptoms could include:
Runny nose
Nasal stuffiness
Sneezing
Throat clearing
Nose rubbing
Sniffling
Snorting
Sneezing
Itchy, runny eyes
Itching or tingling sensations in the mouth and throat. Itchiness is not usually a complaint with a cold, but it is the hallmark of an allergy problem. Coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory symptoms. Recurrent red, itchy, dry, sometime scaly rashes in the creases of the skin, wrists and ankles also may indicate an allergy.
What is eczema?
When it comes to rashes, the most common chronic inflammatory skin condition in children is eczema, also called atopic dermatitis. Although not strictly an allergic disorder, eczema in young children has many of the hallmarks of allergies and is often a sign that hay fever and asthma may develop. The rate of eczema, like that of asthma, is increasing throughout the world. Where asthma is rare, the rate of eczema is also low.
What is the difference between allergies and asthma?
Although allergies and asthma often go together, they are actually two different conditions. Here are three important facts:
Asthma is a chronic condition that starts in the lungs.
Allergies are reactions that start in the immune system.
Not everybody with allergies has asthma, but most people with asthma have allergies.
What is an asthma attack?
The airways of the typical child with asthma are inflamed or swollen. This makes them oversensitive. When they come in contact with an asthma "trigger"—something that causes an asthma attack—the airways (called bronchial tubes) overreact by constricting (getting narrower).
Many different substances and events can "trigger" an asthma attack, including:
Exercise
Cold air
Viruses
Air pollution
Certain fumes
Other allergens
In fact, about 80% of children with asthma also have allergies and, for them, allergens are often the most common asthma triggers.
Common allergens in home and school
In the fall, many indoor allergens cause problems for children because they are inside of home and school for longer periods.
Indoor allergens include:
Dust: contains dust mites and finely ground particles from other allergens, such as pollen, mold, and animal dander
Fungi: including molds too small to be seen with the naked eye
Furry animals: cats, dogs, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, and other pets
Clothing and toys: items made, trimmed, or stuffed with animal hair
Latex: household and school articles, such as rubber gloves, toys, balloons; elastic in socks, underwear, and other clothing; airborne particles
Bacterial enzymes: used to manufacture enzyme bleaches and cleaning products
Certain foods
How to control allergy symptoms
It's helpful to use air conditioners, where possible, to reduce exposure to pollen in both your home and your car.
Molds are present in the spring and late summer, particularly around areas of decaying vegetation. Children with mold allergies should avoid playing in piles of dead leaves in the fall.
Dust mites congregate in places where food for them (such as flakes of human skin) is plentiful. That means they are most commonly found in upholstered furniture, bedding, and rugs.
Padded furnishings, such as mattresses, box springs, pillows, and cushions should be encased in allergen-proof, zip-up covers, which are available through catalogs and specialized retailers.
Wash linens weekly, and other bedding such as blankets, every 2 to 3 weeks in hot water to kill the dust mite.
Pillows should be replaced every 2 to 3 years.
Working with your child's pediatrician
Your child's allergy and/or asthma treatment should start with your pediatrician. If needed, your pediatrician may refer you to a pediatric allergy specialist for additional evaluations and treatments, depending on how severe the child's symptoms are. There are many over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays. However, it is very important that you work with a pediatrician over the years to make sure that your child's allergy and asthma are correctly diagnosed and the symptoms properly treated.