Does your child have an allergy?
MANILA, Philippines - When it comes to their kids’ health, parents are, naturally, protective. As soon as the child develops some sort of rash or mark on his skin, it is common for a parent to panic, not knowing if the child is having an allergic reaction or something else. To ease such worries, leading health institution Makati Medical Center provides a primer on common allergy triggers and how parents should deal with them should symptoms begin to manifest.
What is an allergy?
According to Dr. Fatima Santos-Ocampo, chief of the Allergology and Immunology Section of MakatiMed’s Pediatrics Department, an allergy occurs when an individual develops a reaction to simple substances. “When you have an allergy, this means that your body is reacting abnormally to something that is considered harmless,” she explains. Some common allergens include food, drugs and medications, and other environmental factors.
Allergic reactions manifest in the various organ systems of the body, such as the skin (hives and skin asthma), the respiratory system (allergic asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis), and the gastrointestinal system (abdominal cramping or pain, loose bowel movement and blood-tinged stools).
Allergies and Family
Dr. Santos-Ocampo reveals that development of allergy is a multi-factorial process, and one of the factors involved is genetics. “Most of the time, if the parents have allergies, there’s at least a 50-percent chance that the child will also develop them,” she explains.
She adds, “This is why it’s highly recommended that parents who have allergies and have a baby on the way consult an allergy specialist. They can be advised on the signs and symptoms to watch out for which can be indicative of an allergic disease in the child.”
Safeguarding Kids against Allergies
While Dr. Santos-Ocampo stresses that one cannot cure allergies 100 percent, there are still things that parents can do to avoid triggering them.
“One of the best ways to do this would be to minimize cockroach infestation which can trigger allergic rhinitis and asthma. To decrease exposure to dust mites, do away with carpeting and try to lower the humidity in the environment. Also, avoid areas where dampness accumulates, as these are where mold develops,” she advises.
She encourages parents to bring their children to the pediatrician as soon as they notice any unusual symptoms that may point to an allergic reaction. “A lot of Filipino parents tend to give medication to their children especially when symptoms are mild, but I would strongly advise them to consult with their doctors first before giving any medication. A dialogue with your pediatrician may also unravel a connection between your allergy history and your child’s symptoms,” she says.
She stresses, “When we suspect allergy in a patient, we make it a point to dig deep into the clinical history for information that can lead us to a possible allergy trigger. We may proceed with testing for specific allergens and once identified, advise parents on what to do next.”
For more information, visit the Makati Medical Center’s Department of Pediatrics at the 8th floor, Tower 1, 2 Amorsolo St., Makati City on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Call the MakatiMed 24/7 on-call hotline at 8888-999 local 2830 or visit www.makatimed.net.ph.
