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Posts Tagged "Allergies"

7Nov2022

Improve Indoor Air Quality for Your Children

When considering air pollution, the majority of us think of outdoor air. However, given that many kids spend more than 90% of their time inside, indoor air quality might be even more important. The EPA estimates that indoor air pollution levels may be two to five times greater than outdoor pollution levels. There is not much ventilation in today’s energy-efficient homes to improve indoor air quality.

Compared to adults, children inhale and retain more air pollution per unit of body weight. Children are more vulnerable to the effects of polluted air since their lungs and elimination systems are still developing. Children’s body cannot handle more pollutants once they are already overburdened. They might start to react negatively to exposures like fresh paint, new carpet, cleaning supplies, mattress and furniture off-gassing, dust, mold, or pollen. A toxic overload youngster might become seriously unwell from even small exposures. According to estimates, more than 40 million individuals currently suffer from an environmental sickness as a result of harmful or allergic reactions to numerous environmental contaminants.

Symptoms of Indoor Air Pollution

  • Watery eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Headaches
  • Congestion
  • Fatigue
  • Trouble breathing

Allergens, tobacco smoke, or chemical exposure can cause asthma symptoms to appear or exacerbate already present symptoms. There may be a large list of other baffling issues with environmental sickness that are hard to identify.

Several distinct sources are releasing particles or gases into the air in your house. The most crucial room, though, is usually the one where your kids sleep. Their bodies regenerate as they sleep. Your kids’ bodies enter a deep healing phase when they sleep at night, and their immune systems work to get rid of any pollutants. If there is an added burden of toxins in the bedroom air, cleansing is challenging for the body. How long do your kids stay in their bedrooms? In addition to sleeping at night, a lot of kids are also napping or playing in their rooms during the day.

Lowering Indoor Air Pollution

First and foremost, it’s essential that infants and young children sleep on an organic mattress that doesn’t off-gas. All mattresses that include vinyl, polyurethane foam, fire retardants, or other harmful components need to be replaced immediately. Furthermore, the majority of bed frames, cribs, cradles, bassinets, changing tables, dressers, cupboards, and bookshelves are constructed from pressed or composite wood products that emit formaldehyde or contain paints or varnishes that also do the same. Replace this furniture, if possible, with solid wood pieces that have natural finishes. Another significant toxin that can discharge toxins almost continually is carpet. Paints, building materials, personal care items, and cleaning supplies can all release toxins into the air. For kids, any mold, dust mites, or animal dander in the bedroom can be a major issue.

Ways to Remove Allergens from Children’s Bedrooms

  • Invest in a HEPA room air purifier that eliminates odors, viruses, pollutants, and chemicals
  • Put non-toxic 100% organic cotton dust-mite-proof covers on pillows, mattresses, and box springs
  • Think about getting a nontoxic organic children’s mattress
  • Reduce indoor humidity to less than 50% to prevent the growth of mold
  • Immediately address any plumbing, roof, and other water leaks, and securely remove any mold throughout the whole house
  • Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum twice a week to clean the house (more frequently if you have pets)
  • Regularly vacuum upholstered furniture, curtains, and mattresses
  • Use a moist cloth to wipe off hard surfaces and avoid using hazardous cleaners
  • To lessen exposure to pet dander, keep allergy-causing animals out of the bedroom or bathe your animals once per week
  • Wash linens once a week in hot water
  • Wash plush toys frequently
  • If at all feasible, replace carpet with natural, non-toxic rugs that you can wash frequently
  • Keep cigarettes out of the house
  • When possible, try to get solid wood furniture rather than composite or particle board
  • Before bringing composite wood goods within, let them off-gas outside for a few days or weeks
  • After bringing new furniture inside, carefully ventilate the space. Everyday window opening will enhance interior air quality
  • Common indoor plants like spider plants and bamboo palms may aid to filter the air
Kids Staff
Pediatrics
24Mar2020

The Most Common Food Allergies for Children

Food allergies have become more problematic in recent years as increasing numbers of individuals are diagnosed with them. Even children are frequently diagnosed with food allergies, with 1 in 13 children currently having this issue. In addition, almost half of children with food allergies have more than one allergy. As a parent, here are a few helpful tips when it comes to guarding what your child eats.

What Are the Most Common Food Allergies in Children?

Although peanut allergies may be the first problem that pops into your mind when you hear about food allergies, there are actually numerous foods and food groups that can cause problems for the littlest members of your household. The following are the primary concerning foods for children.

  • Milk
  • Peanuts and tree nuts
  • Fish and shellfish
  • Wheat
  • Eggs
  • Soy

All of these ingredients must be disclosed on food packaging, which can help you in making food choices for your household.

What Symptoms Should Parents Look for with Food Allergies?

You should know that while some children may be genuinely allergic to some foods, others just have a sensitivity to it. While an allergy creates a strong response, such as hives or swelling in the throat that leads to difficulty breathing, a sensitivity will probably only lead to discomfort. Keep an eye out for any of the following distressing signs of an allergic reaction, and consider emergency medical treatment for those that are life-threatening.

  • Itchy skin and hives
  • Red, itchy eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness

How Can Food Allergies Be Treated?

In the case of a life-threatening condition, emergency medical personnel may provide an epinephrine shot, which can aid in breathing. Other than emergency circumstances, the best treatment for a food allergy is complete avoidance of the food. However, because your child is not always under your direct supervision, you will need to notify the school and other households where your child spends time about which foods are and are not safe.

Because this is just a basic look at food allergies in children, we recommend that you visit with your child’s pediatrician in more detail if you have any further concerns. Kids 1st Pediatrics is ready to help you with any of your concerns for your children from infancy through the teenage years.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
18Jun2019

Are Allergies Keeping Your Children Indoors?

Seasonal allergies afflict numerous adults every year, but they are less expected when they hit your children. However, it is estimated that one in four children suffers from allergies today. Perhaps you are the parent of a child who spends most of each summer sneezing, rubbing his eyes or dealing with nasal congestion. While this is a great burden on you mentally, it can be a huge problem for your child who may struggle to enjoy typical daily activities, who may feel ostracized from his friends during allergy season and who may fight you over going outside to play for the day when you know it will cause his allergies to flare up again. These tips will arm both you and your child with the information necessary to get these irritating symptoms under control and to begin enjoying life once again.

Start Treatments Early

In an effort to limit the amount of medication that your child has to take, you may be waiting until his symptoms start before you begin giving him over-the-counter medications. However, research shows that starting medications up to three weeks before allergy season begins can provide better control of symptoms.

Allergy Testing Can Provide Answers

Allergy testing can help you know exactly what your child is allergic to and can help you limit his exposure to these allergens, whether they are certain types of pollen, mold, or pet dander.

Stay on Top of Pollen Counts

Once you know what trees, weeds, or grasses your child is allergic to, you can use pollen counts to tell you when your child should stay indoors. Many apps and Websites offer instantaneous pollen counts these days.

Watch out for Triggers

Your child’s allergies could be triggered by more than just pollen. Other common triggers include the following:

  • Mildew
  • Insect droppings
  • Weather changes
  • Chemicals and fumes
  • Tobacco or wood smoke
  • Strong scents

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
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