SWELLING OF GUMS CAN CAUSE GINGIVITIS WHICH CAN LEADS TO PERIODONTITIS. TREATMENT & CAUSES.

 What are childhood Allergies refers to ?

• -- Allergies happen when the immune system reacts to an allergen.
• -- Symptoms of mild or moderate allergic reactions include rash, swelling, tingling mouth, stomach pain and hay fever.
• -- A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, tongue or throat swelling, cough or hoarse voice, fainting and severe stomach pain.
• -- Seek urgent medical attention for anaphylaxis.
• If you think your child has an allergy, start by talking to your GP.
  
  
  

  How allergies happen

  Allergies happen when your child reacts to something in the environment. The thing that causes the reaction is called an allergen. It might be something like food, dust mites, pollens, animals, insect stings or bites, or medicines.

  Allergens cause your child’s immune system to release histamine and other substances into their body. This leads to allergy symptoms.

  Allergic reactions: how quickly do they happen?

  An immediate allergic reaction usually happens within minutes after your child comes into contact with or eats the substance that they’re allergic to, but it can be up to 1-2 hours.

  A delayed allergic reaction usually happens many hours after exposure. It can happen up to several days after your child comes into contact with the substance that they’re allergic to.

  Mild or moderate allergic reactions: symptoms

  If your child is having a mild or moderate allergic reaction, their symptoms might include one or more of the following:

  • -- rash, hives or welts
  • -- swelling of the face, eyes or lips
  • --  tingling or itchy mouth
  • -- eczema, hay fever or asthma – these symptoms might be worse than usual
  • stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhoea.

  Severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis: symptoms

  A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. Symptoms might include one or more of the following:

  • -- difficult or noisy breathing
  • -- tongue swelling
  • -- throat swelling or tightness
  • -- difficulty talking or a hoarse voice
  • -- a wheeze or persistent cough
  • -- persistent dizziness or fainting
  • -- paleness and floppiness (in young children)
    
    
    
  • severe stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhoea. Mild to moderate allergic reactions are much more common than severe allergic reactions. Also, deaths from severe allergic reactions are rare. Deaths can happen when there’s a delay in giving life-saving medication to the person having the reaction. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction and needs urgent medical attention. If your child is having an anaphylactic reaction, first lay your child flat or keep them sitting. Don’t let your child stand or walk around. Next use an adrenaline injector like EpiPen or Anapen if one is available. Then call an ambulance – phone 000.You might hear about IgG food antibody testing, Vega testing, cytotoxic testing, Alcat testing, pulse testing, iridology, kinesiology, VoiceBio analysis and stool or hair analyses. These tests aren’t scientifically proven as allergy tests. Tests that are backed up by science are most likely to work, be safe for your child, and be worth your time, money and energy.If your child has an allergy, it’s especially important to maintain good control of their asthma. If your child has a severe asthma attack, call an ambulance immediately.

    Treatment for anaphylaxis

    Children at significant risk of anaphylaxis are often prescribed adrenaline injectors – for example, EpiPen or Anapen.

    If your child is prescribed an adrenaline injector, it’s important that both you and your child learn how and when to use it. Your child’s adrenaline injector should be easy to reach at all times. You can also teach family, friends, teachers and carers how to use it.

    It’s also a good idea for your child to wear a medical bracelet to let other people know about your child’s particular allergy.

    You can give a copy of your child’s allergy action plan to key people like family, carers, babysitters, early childhood educators and teachers. Allergies in children can be distressing for both the child and the parent. We understand that parents are concerned about protecting their children against allergen triggers and serious allergic reactions. 

    Allergy can affect the wellbeing of children in many different ways, including: 

    • Anxiety around a potential allergic reaction 
    • Fear of using adrenaline auto-injectors 
    • Negative relationships with food including food aversions and refusal 
    • Sleep deprivation due to allergy symptoms, affecting mood and concentration at school 
    • Visible symptoms such as eczema and hives causing low self-esteem 
    • Isolation around social events such as birthday parties and eating out at restaurants. Vaccinations remain the safest way to protect against very serious infections. Speak to your GP or Nurse practitioner for further advice

    • IMMUNISATION   

      This is incorrect. The measles vaccine is not grown in whole eggs, but in cells which are derived from hens – and these cells do NOT contain any egg protein. Therefore, the MMR vaccine is safe in all egg-allergic children (including those with severe allergy) and all egg allergic children should have the vaccine

    • Parents often raise concerns about immunisations in children with allergies. This is because some vaccines may contain substances which can, in very rare cases, cause an allergic reaction. However, in practice, allergy to vaccines is very unusual. It used to be thought that the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine should not be given to egg allergic children. In fact, the information which is often provided with the vaccine continues to warn that egg-allergic children may react to the vaccine!