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ONLINE EDITORIAL/RECIPES:
Allergy Tips
The American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child's Allergies and Asthma. WHEN TO SUSPECT AN ALLERGY Some allergies are easy to identify by the pattern of symptoms that invariably follows exposure to a particular substance. But others are more subtle, and may masquerade as other conditions. Here are some common clues that could lead you to suspect your child may have an allergy. * Recurrent red, itchy, dry, sometime scaly rashes in the creases of the skin, wrists, and ankles. * Repeated or chronic cold-like symptoms - that last more than a week or two, or develop at about the same time every year. These could include a runny nose, nasal stuffiness, sneezing and throat clearing. * Nose rubbing, sniffling, snorting, sneezing and itchy, runny eyes. * Itching or tingling sensations in the mouth and throat. Itchiness is not usually a complaint with a cold, but it is the hallmark of an allergy problem. * Coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory symptoms. Coughing may be an isolated symptom; increases at night or with exercise are suspicious for asthma. * Repeated ear or sinus infections or persistent middle ear fluid associated with nasal symptoms * Recurrent episodes of abdominal pain following ingestion of a particular food. COMMON ALLERGENS ON THE HOME FRONT * Dust (contains dust mites, particles from other allergens such as pollen, mold and animal dander as well as irritants). * Pollen (trees, grasses, weeds) * Fungi (including molds too small to be seen with the naked eye) * Furry animals (cats, dogs, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, and other pets) * Latex (household articles such as rubber gloves and toys, balloons) * Foods (cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish) HOW TO MANAGE ALLERGIC NASAL SYMPTOMS * Many children are allergic to pollen and mold, both of which are found everywhere outdoors and cannot be completely avoided. * It's helpful to use air conditioners, where possible, to reduce exposure to pollen in both your home and your car. Remain indoors when lawn is mowed. Avoid playing in fields of tall grass if allergic to grass. Outdoor mold levels are highest in the spring and late summer, particularly around areas of decaying vegetation. Children with allergies to molds should avoid playing in piles of dead leaves in the fall. Indoor exposure can occur from mildew as a result of water intrusion problems or elevated levels of moisture (e.g. bathrooms, use of humidifiers) * Dust mites congregate where moisture is retained and food for them (human skin scales) is plentiful. They are especially numerous in upholstered furniture, bedding and rugs. Padded furnishings such as mattresses, box springs, pillows and cushions should be encased in allergen-proof, zip-up covers, which are available through catalogs and specialized retailers. Wash linens weekly and other bedding such as blankets, every 2 to 3 weeks in hot water (minimum temperature to kill mites is 130 degrees, so care must be taken to avoid scald burns when washing bedding if young children are present in the home). Pillows should be replaced every 2 to 3 years. MEDICATIONS TO SUPRESS SYMPTOMS Your child's allergy treatment should start with your pediatrician, who may refer you to a pediatric allergy specialist for additional evaluations and treatments. * Antihistamines - Ones taken by mouth can help with itchy watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing, as well as itchy skin and hives. Some types may cause drowsiness. Nose sprays that contain an antihistamine are also available and can be helpful, but should not be used more than three days. * Decongestants - Help with stuffy nose. * Nasal Corticosteroids - Highly effective for allergy symptom prevention and are widely used to stop chronic symptoms. Safe to use in children over long periods of time. Must be used daily. * Allergy Immunotherapy - Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, may be recommended to reduce your child's sensitivity to airborne allergens. Not every allergy problem can or needs to be treated with allergy shots, but treatment of respiratory allergies to pollen, dust mites, cat and dog dander, and outdoor molds is often successful if avoidance and medications are not effective. Allergy shots help decrease the need for daily medication. * Ask your doctor about additional therapies. COMMON TRIGGERS OF ASTHMA: * ALLERGIES (molds, pollen, dust mites, cockroaches, animals--especially cats and dogs) * TOBACCO SMOKE * INFECTIONS (viral respiratory infections, colds, sinus infections) * OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION * INDOOR AIR POLLUTION (aerosol sprays, cooking fumes, odors, smoke: cigarettes/tobacco, wood fires, wood-burning stoves) * EXERCISE MANAGING ECZEMA (ATOPIC DERMATITIS): * Steroid creams are very effective. When used sparingly and at the lowest strength that does the job, they are very safe. * Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory creams or ointments can be used for itching and redness and decrease the need for steroid creams. * Antihistamine medication may be prescribed to relieve the itching, and help break the itch-scratch cycle. * Long-sleeved sleepwear may also help prevent nighttime scratching. * Soaps containing perfumes and deodorants may be too harsh for children's sensitive skin. * Use laundry products that are free of dyes and perfumes and double-rinse clothes, towels and bedding. * Lukewarm soaking baths are good ways to treat the dry skin of eczema. Gently pat your child dry after the bath to avoid irritating the skin with rubbing. Then, liberally apply moisturizing cream right away. * Food allergies play a role in about 35 percent of children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Milk, egg, wheat, peanut, and soy account for over 90% of food allergies in children. * Launder new clothes thoroughly before your child wears them. Avoid fabric softener. (c) 2008 - American Academy of Pediatrics
Abstracted from the American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child's Allergies and Asthma. Available from AAP Bookstore For more information on allergies and asthma, visit the AAP Section on Allergy and Immunology web site at www.aap.org/sections/allergy
When Your Child Is Bullied * Help your child learn how to respond by teaching your child how to: 1. Look the bully in the eye. 2. Stand tall and stay calm in a difficult situation. 3. Walk away. * Teach your child how to say in a firm voice. 1. "I don't like what you are doing." 2. "Please do NOT talk to me like that." 3. "Why would you say that?" * Teach your child when and how to ask for help. * Encourage your child to make friends with other children. * Support activities that interest your child. * Alert school officials to the problems and work with them on solutions. * Make sure an adult who knows about the bullying can watch out for your child's safety and well-being when you cannot be there. When Your Child Is the Bully * Be sure your child knows that bullying is never OK. * Set firm and consistent limits on your child's aggressive behavior. * Be a positive role mode. Show children they can get what they want without teasing, threatening or hurting someone. * Use effective, non-physical discipline, such as loss of privileges. * Develop practical solutions with the school principal, teachers, counselors, and parents of the children your child has bullied. When Your Child Is a Bystander * Tell your child not to cheer on or even quietly watch bullying. * Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult about the bullying. * Help your child support other children who may be bullied. Encourage your child to include these children in activities. * Encourage your child to join with others in telling bullies to stop. BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE * During middle childhood, youngsters need supervision. A responsible adult should be available to get them ready and off to school in the morning and watch over them after school until you return home from work. * Children approaching adolescence (11- and 12-year-olds) should not come home to an empty house in the afternoon unless they show unusual maturity for their age. * If alternate adult supervision is not available, parents should make special efforts to supervise their children from a distance. Children should have a set time when they are expected to arrive at home and should check in with a neighbor or with a parent by telephone. * If you choose a commercial after-school program, inquire about the training of the staff. There should be a high staff-to-child ratio, and the rooms and the playground should be safe. DEVELOPING GOOD HOMEWORK AND STUDY HABITS * Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Youngsters need a permanent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that offers privacy. * Set aside ample time for homework. * Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time. * Supervise computer and internet use. * Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child's homework for her. * Take steps to help alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue and brain fatigue while studying. It may be helpful to close the books for a few minutes, stretch, and take a break periodically when it will not be too disruptive. * If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren't able to help her yourself, a tutor can be a good solution. Talk it over with your child's teacher first. (c) 2009 - American Academy of Pediatrics
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