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Childhood allergies: what you need to know now


More and more children suffer from allergies. They might not have to if they are diagnosed and treated. Learn about allergies and today’s allergy tests. Testing can be the first step toward real relief for your child—and you.


What are allergies?


An allergy is an abnormal immune system response. The immune system’s job is to protect the body against disease. But sometimes, the immune system tries to “protect” the body against things that really aren’t harmful. These are called allergens and include pollen from trees and grass. They also include certain foods, house dust, molds and pet dander.


Allergies can cause sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, skin rash, stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Very severe allergic reactions can cause loss of consciousness and death.


Food allergies are skyrocketing in North America.


Reported rates in children and teens have gone up 50% in the past 15 years. Also:


• Food allergies now cause mild to severe reactions in 1 in 13 children. This is just from eating everyday foods like milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, and shellfish.


• 30% of children with food allergies are allergic to more than one food.


Why test for allergies?


Testing tells whether you’re truly allergic and can even save you money. Example: Two-thirds of patients who are not allergic take antihistamines anyway. That’s money spent on an average of three prescriptions per year down the drain.


Plus, testing can tell what you are allergic to. That way you know if you need medication or whether you simply need to avoid the allergen.


For food allergies, testing can tell you if you are at high risk for a severe reaction and need to take precautionary measures. Precautions might include avoidance, such as sitting in a peanut-free zone, or carrying an adrenaline injector in case of accidental exposure to the allergen.


It’s important to identify allergies early—


the sooner, the better. Here’s why. Childhood allergies can lead to worse problems as the child gets older. An allergy could progress to asthma. This is known as the “allergy march.” Some people think treatment can stop the allergy march. Even if it can’t, treatment can help the child feel better more often.


The Allergy March—how allergies can progress in children


Skin allergy (eczema)


3–48 months


Food allergy 4–36 months


Ear infections (recurrent)


8–48 months


Hay fever 4–12 years


Allergic asthma 9+ years


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