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Asthma
Having an asthma attack is a very frightening experience for
any child, and can be very upsetting to you - especially when it
happens for the first time. You have every reason to be alarmed
though, as many children die each year from asthma, and it is a
condition that should never be underestimated. However, many of
these deaths are preventable and through early diagnosis and
proper treatment asthma sufferers can go on to lead a completely
normal life.
Asthma is usually due to several inherited or environmental
factors, such as animal fur, dust, pollen and changes in the
weather and tends to start in early childhood or adolescence.
Asthma attacks occur when the child's airways have become too
narrow, due to muscular spasms causing the bronchial passages to
contract. This makes breathing difficult, and causes her to
wheeze on exhaling.
While most attacks last just a few minutes with occasional bouts
of coughing and wheezing to serious bouts that may go on for
hours. In the case of severe attacks, a doctor should always be
consulted, as there is a risk of collapse or death caused from
lack of oxygen or exhaustion.
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergies involving the nose are extremely common, with the
baby or child having red watery eyes and a stuffy, itching nose
resulting from an allergic reaction in the mucous membrane of
the nose as well as the eyes. The unfortunate thing is that,
this is often diagnosed as what appears to be one cold after the
other, with the underlying allergic problems sometimes going
unnoticed for years.
Allergic rhinitis falls into two groups, namely:
Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis or Hayfever
This type usually occurs during spring and early summer, caused
by the pollen from trees and grass, and in autumn from the
build-up of mould spores. The child will show signs of intensive
itching of the nose, eyes, palate and back of the throat.
Continuous sneezing and nasal discharge is also a common
symptom.
Perennial Allergic Rhinitis
This being the more severe of the two, with symptoms occurring
throughout the year. This may be caused through exposure to
allergens, present in the child's home or school environment
e.g. animal hair, house-dust, moulds and tobacco smoke.
Features and symptoms of allergic rhinitis:
- Nasal discharge occurring all the time, occasionally, or
at certain times of the year.
- Red, itching eyelids.
- Bouts of sneezing, especially in the morning.
- Headaches, due to the release of histamine or possible
spread of infection to the sinuses.
- Recurring ear infections and earache.
- Nausea and dizziness related to the ear problems.
- Fatigue and irritability due to disturbed sleep.
Coeliac Disease
Coeliac disease, which affects 1 in 3 000 people, is caused
by an inability to absorb gluten, a form of protein that is
found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. This disease is seemed to
be hereditary and usually strikes before the child is three
years old, those who develop it later in life are often found to
have suffered from it in a very mild form during childhood.
Symptoms include frothy, foul-smelling stools and a stomach
which is swollen with wind. Over a period of time the child
gradually becomes weaker through malnutrition.
Eczema
Eczema may be brought on by an allergic reaction to certain
substances in your child's diet. This is characterized by rough
red patches or tiny red blisters that form on the child's face
and in the creases of his arms and legs. The area is extremely
itchy, but scratching can cause the blisters to break and weep,
which will only aggravate the area more. Eczema is not
contagious, and it usually only affects people with a family
history of asthma or hayfever.
Because of the discomfort, your baby is likely to be irritable.
For this reason it is vital that you realise the extent of your
child's misery, and gain the much needed support from family,
friends and your doctor.
It may be worth your while to eliminate certain foodstuffs from
your child's diet, to see if the condition improves. Being one
of the 'main' allergy culprits, dairy products will naturally be
the first to go, using milk substitutes as an alternative. Egg
whites, wheat and anything containing colouring and
preservatives should also be avoided completely. If one of these
are responsible, it could take a few days before any change will
be noticed, so patience is of the utmost importance.
When bathing your child, try using aqueous cream instead of
soap, and stay away from any lotions containing lanolin, as this
will irritate the eczema. Adding a few rooibos teabags to her
bath water, may bring some relief.
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis can develop at any stage during one's life,
with the child/person developing an allergy to anything from
certain detergents to rubber gloves. This can be quite difficult
to pin-point, especially if your baby suffers from it. Washing
powders, soaps, shampoos and even Vaseline can cause a rash when
the baby's skin comes into contact with it, and just lying on a
blanket that has been washed in the offending soap can cause an
allergic reaction in those that suffer from this condition.
Try and detect what the cause is by eliminating all possible
offending substances from her environment, and once the rash has
cleared, slowly introduce them once again, being on the look out
for any reactions. Pure grated sunlight soap can be used to wash
all her clothes and bedding, but just remember to rinse well.
Adding a few teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda to her bath water,
will also ease the itchiness.
Urticaria (Hives)
A chronic or acute allergic reaction in the form of reddish,
raised circular swellings. These weals may range in size, from
small spots to those the size of a small saucer. Commonly caused
by an allergic reaction to certain medication, internal
parasites (worms), external parasites (fleas), certain
foodstuffs, inhalants or an extreme change in the weather,
urticaria may last for several days or disappear within a couple
of hours.
If itching is severe the use of antihistamines, calamine lotion
or a paste of bicarbonate of soda applied to the skin will
reduce the discomfort. In acute cases, especially where the
mouth and throat are involved, it will be necessary to seek
additional help, in the form of certain drugs such as cortisone
or adrenaline injections.
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