The most common allergies in boys and girls

Today, it is increasingly common to hear about allergies or read news about the subject. It seems that the majority of people suffer from some type of allergy and statistics confirm that indeed these are increasingly common among the population. In addition, this type of affectation is not exclusive to adults, but more and more boys and girls suffer them.

An allergy is a reaction that our own body triggers in the presence of a certain agent, which is known as an allergen. This reaction is produced by the immune system, the same one that fights all those viruses, bacteria or foreign components that enter our body. However, in the case of allergies, these agents are not harmful for most people , but our body can detect them as such and therefore trigger a series of reactions that produce allergy symptoms.

These symptoms are very varied and different depending on the type of allergen and on each person. Hives or itching are common. The most serious reaction is anaphylaxis , which starts in a few seconds or minutes and can even be fatal if it is not acted upon quickly and properly.

As we say, allergic reactions are more and more frequent in childhood . During the first year some type of food allergy may appear. During the following years, approximately up to five, cases of asthma associated with catarrhal or flu processes are frequent . The appearance of these specific cases of asthma may be indicating a predisposition of the child to suffer from allergies. Later, we will talk about allergic bronchial asthma, which is more common to appear between the fifth and tenth year of life, in addition to other manifestations such as rhinitis.

The most common allergies in childhood are the following:

FOOD ALLERGY

It is estimated that between five and eight percent of children suffer from some type of food allergy. Some of the proteins in food become allergens and cause a series of symptoms in the body. The best-known antibody that people with food allergies often produce is immunoglobulin E (IgE). In this way, two types of mechanisms tend to be distinguished in food allergy:

Those mediated by IgE antibodies , are the type of allergy that can cause faster and more serious reactions, and can be life-threatening.

Those not mediated by IgE , which causes delayed and less serious reactions. Depending on the immediacy of the reactions, it is more or less difficult to detect which food is causing the allergy. In any case, it is convenient to have tests to know what foods we should avoid in the children’s diet, since there is no other form of treatment than avoidance. The most common foods that trigger allergies in children are cow’s milk, eggs or fish.

– Cow’s milk: The most common symptoms are skin, digestive, respiratory or even anaphylaxis. They can occur from the first contacts of babies with this type of milk or even during breastfeeding, if the mother has cow’s milk in her diet.

– The egg: The allergy to this food usually appears before two years of life, although it is not frequent beyond six years. The symptoms are similar to those of cow’s milk.

– Fish: Fish allergy can last throughout life and its symptoms can be very serious. Even simple contact or the smell of fish can trigger allergic symptoms.

We must not forget that the avoidance of these foods in case of allergy must be total, including other foods that contain them within their composition. Another common type of allergies are allergies to legumes, fruits and vegetables, or to cereals.

ALLERGY TO ANY MEDICATION

As we all know, drugs can cause adverse reactions in the body. These reactions can be of two types: either that they occur in any individual as a result of the modification of the expected effect of the drug or due to its mismanagement, or that these reactions occur only in certain people who generate an allergic reaction to any of it’s components. These allergic reactions can be extremely serious, although the most frequent symptoms are of the skin type, in the form of hives, hives or swelling, or of the digestive type, with vomiting or diarrhea. We must be especially careful with this type of allergic reactions to drugs in children,Aspirin ), cough syrups or local anesthetics.

DUST ALLERGY

The so-called dust allergyit is actually caused by an allergy to the mites that inhabit it. They are tiny insects that feed on the scales of our skin or that of animals. They are harmless to most people, but for some individuals they become allergens. The most common symptoms are nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, rhinitis, tearing … However, the most serious symptom would be bronchial asthma. 80% of children with asthma are due to an allergic cause and mites are a major trigger. To prevent this symptomatology, it is advisable to follow a series of cleaning guidelines, removing dust frequently, removing rugs and carpets, reducing the number of stuffed animals in the children’s room,

ALERGIA AL POLAND

The pollen is the substance generating plants to reproduce through pollination. It is usually suspended in the air, since it moves from one plant to another and, when it comes into contact with people who perceive it as an allergen, either by air or by direct contact, it causes the release in the body of a series of substances, such as histamine, which is responsible for the symptoms of this allergy. The allergy to pollen can be confused with symptoms of a catarrhal process: watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, headache, congestion, fatigue … Another common symptom is, again, bronchial asthma. At times of the year with the highest pollination, such as spring, those allergic to pollen will suffer these symptoms more intensely.

We cannot avoid their contact, since some of the most allergenic plants, such as those of the grass family, are inevitably found around us. However, we can take hygiene measures, avoid airing the house during the day, get away from the plants and the field as much as possible, etc. Antihistamines are the quintessential drugs to treat these symptoms. Most of them are suitable for boys and girls over the age of two. However, it is important to adjust the medication, due to the drowsiness that it can cause as a side effect.

CONTACT DERMATITIS

As a result of dermatitis, the skin is red , sore, or inflamed, and intensely itchy. Rashes can be really annoying for the person who suffers from them. In contact dermatitis , these symptoms are triggered by direct contact with an allergenic substance for the individual. Some of these most common substances that can affect children are the following:

– Nickel is usually present in jewelry, costume jewelery, etc. It is common for girls to have some kind of allergic reaction when wearing some earrings.

– The rubbers, so present in any garment of clothing or footwear.

– Cobalt, very common in paints or waxes.

– Wood tars, present in some ointments that are used to treat psoriasis in children.

Symptoms can be very diverse and of greater or lesser severity. We must differentiate this allergenic contact dermatitis from the irritant dermatitis that all children will suffer in early childhood. As their skin is so fine and sensitive, irritations with some type of clothing, diaper, etc., are frequent, but in these cases we would not be talking about an allergy as such.

In short, in cases of suspicion of any type of allergic reaction in our children, it is advisable to consult with the specialist to carry out the necessary tests. Beyond avoiding the discomfort of an allergy, it is advisable to prevent the appearance of complications or serious symptoms.