DEALING WITH SPRINGTIME ALLERGIES

Are you sick of the sniffles? Worn out with watery eyes? If you or your child has
been suffering this spring, you are not alone. According to Dr. Prescott Atkinson,
director of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at Children’s of Alabama, one in five
Alabamians is affected by seasonal allergies, and the symptoms, are almost always
worse in children.

“When their allergy symptoms start to disrupt their daily routine, it’s time to seek
medical attention,” says Dr. Atkinson. "By getting to the bottom of what is causing
the allergy, we can effectively treat and manage these symptoms improving our
patient’s way of life.”

About Allergies:
An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance that’s harmless to
most people. In someone with an allergy, the body’s immune system treats the
substance (called an allergen) as an invader and reacts inappropriately, resulting
in symptoms that can be anywhere from annoying to possibly harmful to the person.
The body releases chemicals to fight off the allergen. It's the release of these
chemicals that causes allergic reactions, affecting a person's eyes, nose, throat,
lungs, skin, or gastrointestinal tract as the body attempts to rid itself of the
invading allergen.

Airborne Allergy Symptoms:
The type and severity of allergy symptoms vary from allergy to allergy and child to
child. Allergies may show up as itchy eyes or an itchy nose, sneezing, nasal
congestion, throat tightness, trouble breathing, and even shock (faintness or
passing out). Symptoms can range from minor or major seasonal annoyances.

Diagnosing Allergies:
If your child has cold-like symptoms lasting longer than a week or two or develops a
"cold" at the same time every year, consult your doctor, who will likely ask
questions about the symptoms and when they appear. Based on the answers to these
questions and a physical exam, the doctor may be able to make a diagnosis and
prescribe medications or may refer you to an allergist for allergy skin tests and
more extensive therapy. To determine the cause of an allergy, allergists usually
perform skin tests for the most common environmental and food allergens. These tests
can be done in infants, but they're more reliable in kids over 2 years old.
Treating Allergies:
There is no real cure for allergies, but it is possible to relieve symptoms. That
means that parents must educate their kids early and often, not only about the
allergy itself, but also about what reaction they will have if they come into
contact with the allergen. Informing any and all caregivers about your child's
allergy is equally important. If reducing exposure isn't possible or is ineffective,
medications may be prescribed, including antihistamines and inhaled or nasal spray
steroids. In some cases, an allergist may recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) to
help desensitize your child.
Here are some things that can help kids avoid airborne allergens:

Keep family pets out of certain rooms, like your child's bedroom, and bathe them if
necessary.
Remove carpets or rugs from your child's room (hard floor surfaces don't collect
dust as much as carpets do).
Don't hang heavy drapes and get rid of other items that allow dust to accumulate.
Clean frequently.
Use special covers to seal pillows and mattresses if your child is allergic to dust
mites.
For kids allergic to pollen, keep the windows closed when the pollen season is at
its peak, change their clothing after they've been outdoors, and don't let them mow
the lawn.
Keep kids who are allergic to mold away from damp areas such as basements, and keep
bathrooms and other mold-prone areas clean and dry.

For more information about this or other health and safety topics, please visit
www.childrensal.org.