Are my kids healthy? Staying healthy is one of the major issues that keeps moms up at night the majority of the time. Knowing your child has an allergy makes you more cautious and attentive towards any allergen that causes an allergic reaction in your child.
Itching, sneezing, or coughing caused by an allergen can sometimes become serious and lead into fatal situations. Children who suffer from severe allergic reaction may miss several days of school.
Who gets allergies?
Allergic responses can affect any child, boy or girl, young or old. Allergies are not passed down from one friend to another. They are uncatchable. They are typically passed down from parents to their children.
What is an allergic reaction?
An allergy is an immunological response to an allergen that enters your child's body when he breathes, eats, or is simply injected to him.
Pollens, dusts, and molds are the most frequent allergens humans breathe. Milk, peanuts, and medications such as penicillin are examples of allergens that we consume. The injected allergens such as bee stings or any other animal venom can be dangerous.
You should be aware that each individual reacts differently to the same allergen. Some people develop a rash, others have stomach aches, whilst others may have breathing problems.
How do children get allergies?
The human body has an entire army of white blood cells to defend itself against intruders. Their primary function is to locate pathogens, consume them, and produce antibodies. Those antibodies remain in your child's system in case the same germ attacks again, allowing it to protect itself. Some people have a hyperactive immune system that can respond to harmless things.
When a child with an allergy is exposed to an allergen, their immune system incorrectly believes that it is causing harm to their body. It overreacts by treating the substance as an invader and tries to reject it. The immune system produces antibodies known as immunoglobulin E to protect the body (IgE). This cause the release of histamine in the blood which causes the allergic reactions.
Even if testing reveals an allergy, a child must also exhibit symptoms in order to be diagnosed with an allergy. If you suspect any allergic reactions, consult your pediatrician.