Common Childhood Allergies and How to Remove Allergens from your Home
It is very difficult for parents to identify the source of allergies in babies and small children. Some childhood allergy triggers are out of your control — a change of seasons or the pollen count. Many other allergy triggers can be avoided to reduce childhood allergy symptoms.
The single most common allergy among children is to cow’s milk protein. An elimination diet will help to determine if your child has a food allergy. By removing one of the common food allergies from the child’s diet for a week, you can start to pinpoint the source.
Common Childhood Allergens include:
- Nuts
- Fish/Shellfish
- Soy
- Wheat
- Egg
- Medications
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold and mildew
- Tobacco smoke and wood smoke
- Pet dander
- Chemical fumes
- Perfume and scented products
The following tips will help to reduce allergens in your home:
- Vacuum your home at least once a week with a HEPA vacuum.
- Wash bedding in hot water to remove dust and kill bacteria.
- Replace furnace and air filters every month during peak allergy seasons.
- Have pets bathed regularly to keep pet dander under control. Keep pets out of the child’s bedroom.
- Wash blankets, stuffed animals and other toys regularly to remove dust and bacteria.
- Have the air ducts in your home professionally cleaned.
- Encase the child's bedding, mattress, box spring, and pillow in a plastic zip-on cover to prevent dust mites.
- Replace carpets with linoleum or hardwood floors. Remove curtains and use shades or blinds.
- Keep your house cool) and dry, this reduces fungal and pest problems.
- Keep your kitchen and bathroom surfaces dry. Remove any mildew and mold in musty areas.
- Fix any leaky pipes to avoid water leakage in the home. Keep child away from damp basements or water-damaged areas of your home.
If parents cannot determine the source of the allergy, an allergist can perform a battery of skin tests to determine the offending allergens. Heredity plays a significant role in determining whether a child has an allergy. If one parent suffers from allergies, then the chance of the child developing them is said to increase up to 50%. When both parents have allergies, then the chance for the child increases to up to 80%. However, children who have no known family history can still develop allergies.
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