Pediatric Allergy Advice about Baby Allergies

 

Is your precious bundle of joy fussy, sneezy, oozing with mucus, or covered in a miserable rash? These signs may not be a cold or flu, but baby allergies, a possible cause of long-term issues if not handled quickly and properly.

A common condition

Fifty million Americans suffer allergies, which emerge during infancy or childhood and rank number one among children’s chronic disease. Unlike colds and flus, which are seasonal, allergies may be present any time of the year. Symptoms may even be ongoing if the allergens which are effecting the baby are indoors.

Caused by an over reactive immune system, common signs of baby allergies include:

* Nasal congestion.

Mouth breathing can result in fitful sleep and daytime fatigue. More than a nuisance, if not addressed, mouth breathing can also lead to malformation of the facial bones and teeth.

* Ear infections.

Ear infections are painful, and fluid buildup can decrease hearing, hindering speech development.

* Skin problems. Many rashes are related to baby allergies, including…

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). A red, scaly, sometimes oozing rash common on baby’s cheeks, torso, arms, and legs. 

• Contact dermatitis. Caused by a skin reaction to soap, detergent, clothing materials, poison ivy, or any other item that has come in contact with baby’s body, resulting in a sensitivity rash.

• Hives. Intensely itchy, raised red welts.

*Stomach sensitivities

Not only from food allergies, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea may also result from sinus drainage and the swallowing of phlegm, which can irritate baby’s stomach. If other causes have been ruled out and baby is still fussy, baby allergies may be the culprit.

* Behavioral issues

Eating, sleeping, and mood disorders could be the result of baby allergies.

* Food allergies

Especially sensitive babies may have reactions to foods breastfeeding mothers eat. When introducing solids to baby, food introduction should be done gradually, one food at a time, separated by a week or more, in order to identify potential baby allergies.

Your sweetheart doesn’t have to suffer

A consultation with Dr. Habib or Dr. Alasaly may help you determine if your baby has allergies and if allergy testing is necessary.

An ounce of prevention…

Minimize baby’s exposure to allergens until the offending sources can be determined and addressed.

• Breastfeed your baby for first 4 months.
• Introduce new foods wisely but try to expose your baby to most of the solid foods in the 2nd 6 months of life to help in the development of tolerance.
• Don’t withhold commonly allergenic foods (milk, eggs, fish, nuts).
• Clean regularly to keep dust, pollen, and mold under control.
• Use dust-mite proof bedding covers.
• Reduce pet dander with weekly bathing.
• Keep pets out of baby’s room.
• Put away feather pillows.
•  Use hypoallergenic laundry detergent.
• Avoid carpeting, especially in baby’s room.
• Never allow smoking in your home.

Unsure if baby allergies are what’s troubling your tender little treasure? Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates can help. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!

Are You Currently Battling with Skin Allergies?

Is your allergist in Scottsdale constantly helping you battle skin allergies? It may be because you are constantly exposing yourself to common skin allergens or irritants triggers.

No touching!
Contact dermatitis, skin allergies characterized by rashes or skin irritation resulting from allergens coming in contact with your skin, affect up to 3 percent of adults. Its triggers are often common – and sometimes surprising.

When it comes to skin allergies, are you your own worst enemy?

1. Perfumes.
   Not just Chanel No. 5, we’re talking shampoo, soap, detergents, dryer sheets, air fresheners, and more. Only products labeled “fragrance-free,”     not unscented, are immune.
2. Nickel.
   Found in items from jewelry, watchbands, and glasses, to the zippers and     buttons on your clothes, this common allergen can be worsened by sweat. To     avoid sensitivity, items must be coated.
3. Latex.
   Gloves, rubber bands, waistbands on pants, and more can contain latex,     resulting in reactions from itchy eyes and rashes to difficulty breathing and vomiting.
4. Dyes.
   To avoid contact dermatitis, a patch test is required prior to the     application of hair dye or henna tattoos containing para-phenylenediamine (PPD).
5. Clothing.
   Formaldehyde resins, used in clothing elastics and fabrics for     waterproofing, shrinkage, and wrinkle resistance, can cause burning eyes, skin rashes, and chest tightness. Cotton, polyester, nylon, and acrylic are typically more lightly treated.
6. Cosmetics.
   Preservatives such as formaldehyde, parabens, and thimerosal used in     cosmetics can cause skin irritation at the site of contact.
7. Creams and ointments.
   Neomycin, used in antibiotic and anesthetic (pain relief) creams, ear  drops, and eye drops, can irritate the skin. Not sure if that’s you? Try a patch test.
8. Sunscreen.Common sunscreen ingredients can cause allergic reactions, including PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), oxybenzone, salicylates, benzophenones, and cyclohexanol. Reactions may be on contact for some, or     for others only following sun exposure.
9. Household products.
   Skin irritation is common after exposure to adhesives (superglue) and     organic solvents (charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinner, furniture stripper, and nail polish remover).
10. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac.
    Urushiol, a sticky substance found in poison ivy,     poison oak, and poison sumac, can cause redness, itchiness, hives, and     blisters – but only in susceptible individuals.

Give your allergist in Scottsdale a hand. Put these items on your list of usual suspects. Take them out of commission and reduce your skin allergy risk today!

Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD. Top 10 Skin Allergy Triggers.  Retrieved fromhttp://www.everydayhealth.com/allergy-photos/top-10-skin-allergy-triggers.aspx#01

Food Allergies in Children

On the rise at your local Arizona allergy and asthma clinics food allergies in children, to the tune of an increase around 50 percent between 1997 and 2011. That’s one in every 13 children, over 38 percent of which have a history of severe allergic reactions. Is your child effected by this potentially deadly issue?  

Food allergy suspects: Repeat offenders
The most common food allergens seen in an allergy and asthma clinic are allergies to milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. These eight foods account for 90 percent of all reactions. Even trace amounts can cause an allergic response. With over 30 percent of children with food allergies having sensitivities to multiple items, that’s a huge possibility of allergic reaction.

Keep kids safe - learn the signs of food allergies!
Within minutes to up to two hours after eating, food allergy reactions may be mild to severe, including…

• Hives or itchy skin rashes.
• Swelling of the lips and face.
• Swollen, itchy, watery eyes.
• Swelling of the mouth or throat.
• Runny nose.
• Repetitive cough.
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing.
• Stomach cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Handling a severe food allergy reaction in your child
Every 3 minutes, someone is seen in an emergency room for a food allergy. To keep your child from becoming a statistic, it pays to be proactive.

• Identify food allergies with the help of your local allergy and asthma clinic.
• Consider medical identification jewelry.
• Don’t take chances with problem foods. Reactions can worsen, and allergy medications are not foolproof.
• When eating away from home, always read labels and ask questions to ensure food safety.
• If you are at risk of severe food allergy reactions or anaphylaxis, keep doses of epinephrine (adrenaline) on you at all times for administration via auto-injector.
• Make sure prescriptions are up-to-date.
• Ensure your child, family members, and those who see your child on a regular basis (teachers, coaches, etc.) are aware of your child’s food allergy, as well as how and when to administer emergency medication.
• If your child experiences a severe allergic response, don’t wait, treat symptoms immediately!
• ALWAYS call 9-1-1 immediately following an anaphylactic reaction, even if medication appears to have resolved symptoms.

Food allergies don’t have to take over your life. Avoid anaphylaxis and effectively manage food allergies with the help of your local allergy and asthma clinic today!

“Facts and Statistics.” Retrieved July 21, 2015, from http://www.foodallergy.org/facts-and-stats.
“Allergy Statistics.” Retrieved July 21, 2015, from http://www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/allergy-statistics.aspx
“Food Allergy Training Guide for Hospital and Food Service Staff.” Retrieved July 21, 2015, from http://www.foodallergy.org/document.doc?id=149
“About Anaphylaxis.” Retrieved July 21, 2015, from http://www.foodallergy.org/anaphylaxis
“FAACT Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team Brochure.” Retrieved July 21, 2015, from http://www.foodallergyawareness.org/media/faactbrochure/FAACT%20Brochure.pdf