Are you the parent of a child who has a peanut allergy? If you are and if this is a first time experience for you, you may be looking for some guidance. After all, knowing that your child’s life is, literally, in your hands, can be overwhelming for many parents.
One of the first things that you will want to do, as a parent, is talk to your child about their peanut allergy. This is important to do as soon as your child can understand the concept of allergies and not eating certain foods. This time often occurs at the preschool level. You may need to talk to your child more than once, but it is important to let them know what could happen if they share food with friends or classmates. If your child is older or a teenager, you can teach them proactive steps, such as checking all food labels.
As important as it is to talk to your child about their peanut allergy, it is extremely important to talk to anyone who may come into contact with your child. These individuals include teachers, school nurses, family members, and parents of friends. You may be surprised to know that many food allergies, including allergic reactions to peanuts, happen when a parents is not present. That is why it is extremely important that all adults know about your child’s allergic reactions to peanuts. When your child leaves your home to visit friends or family, pack safe snacks for them to eat.
If you and your child are known for eating out, it is important that you ask as many questions as possible. You should do so at all eating establishments, but it is particularly important to do at a bakery. Are all baked goods made in the same spot, like on the same table? Even if not, are gloves changed? What are the chances that a peanut or peanut butter can make its ways into other foods? You should know before feeding your child anything that you did not prepare yourself.
Speaking of the foods that you do prepare yourself, be sure to read all food labels. When doing so, you may be surprised just how many products have warnings that claim that peanuts may be present. Even if they only “may,” be, you are still advised to proceed with caution and skip. Also, make sure that you always read labels, as food manufacturers are known for updating or changing their ingredients.
It is also important to know how to handle a reaction. There is a good chance that your child’s doctor will teach you the proper steps that you should take, which will likely include administering medicine to help your child breathe. It is also important to educate those around you too. Make sure that all relatives, parents of friends, and school teachers know what to do in the event of an allergic reaction to peanuts. If medication is provided by your doctor, which it should be, make sure the school has some and always carry the medication with you, like in your car or in your purse.
The above mentioned tips are just a few of the many tips that you will want to keep in mind, should your child have a peanut allergy. It is no secret that caring for a child with a peanut allergy can be difficult and stressful, as you really do need to watch every step that you and your child take. For that reason, there are a number helpful books out there for parents like yourself, as well as online message boards where support is provided, often by other parents just like you.
Written by dpi on November 10th, 2008 with no comments.
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Do you suffer from allergies? If you do, you may always be on the lookout for ways to seek relief. Although there are a number of natural ways that allergy sufferers are able to treat or manage their symptoms, many turn to medicine. Whether it be prescription medications or over-the-counter medications, many find themselves wondering which ones are the best.
When it comes to determining which allergy medications are the best, there are a number of important points that must first be taken into consideration. One of those points is the type of allergies. For example, different individuals suffer from different allergies. Some suffer from pet allergies, some suffer from mold allergies, some suffer from food allergies, and so forth. Some medications are better for those with certain allergies, as more targeted treatment is provided. One of the best approaches to take is to speak with a professional healthcare provider or do the research online.
Insurance is another factor that should be taken into consideration. Many individuals like to research and compare prescription medications and over-the-counter medications for allergies. With that being said, some individuals do not have the opportunity to try both. For example, if you do not have health insurance, you may be unable to afford the cost of a healthcare visit, as well as the cost of prescription medicine. If you are one of those individuals, you are encouraged to spend most of your time focusing on over-the-counter allergy medications. The good news, however, is that many medicines that were once only available with a prescription are now available without a prescription.
As for what allergy medications are the best, you will find that it all depends, as previously stated. A great way to get started is to speak with a healthcare provider. If you have health insurance, you are advised to schedule a visit with your doctor. In addition to getting a prescription, your doctor may be able to help you with other ways to manage or treat your allergy symptoms. Chances are if your doctor prescribes an allergy medication to you, that medicine is likely to work. If medicine is not prescribed, it is still a good idea to ask your doctor about over-the-counter products, namely which ones work the best.
If you must rely on over-the-counter allergy medicines or if you choose to do so, you may want to do a little bit of research first. There are a number of websites online that allow internet users to rate and review products. Walgreen’s and DrugStore.com are just a few of the online pharmacy websites that allow the rating and reviewing of products. You are encouraged to review these ratings, as well as read any reviews that accompany them. Of course, individuals respond differently to different over-the-counter products, but you can get a good idea as to whether you should buy the allergy relief product that you wanted to buy or if you should just save your money.
In addition to speaking with a healthcare provider or using the internet to research allergy medications, it is also a good idea to speak to those that you know. You may be surprised just how many individuals there are that suffer from allergies. There is a good chance that some of your friends, family members, neighbors, or coworkers suffer from allergies. If they do, inquire as to how they treat those symptoms. If they have tried multiple prescriptions or multiple over-the-counter allergy relief medications, which ones did they like or dislike and why? Were there side effects? These are all important questions that you will want to ask.
As a recap, there are a number of prescription medications and over-the-counter products that are known for their great results. With that being said, everyone reacts different to medications, especially where side effects are concerned. For that reason, you should develop a treatment plan with a professional healthcare provider or rely on trial and error with over-the-counter products.
Written by dpi on May 12th, 2008 with no comments.
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The good news is that you really don’t have to strip your house down to the bare bones to make it allergy proof.
Thorough and regular cleaning generally makes a huge difference in keeping your house as mold and dust free as possible.
Patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis that are due to dust mites, molds, or other indoor allergens can feel better by taking these simple measures:
* Keep the home cool (between 68 and 72 degrees F);
* Maintain a low humidity (between 40 and 50%); and
* Make certain there is good ventilation.
Avoidance is always the best treatment for allergies regardless of which allergens are the triggers.
Interestingly enough, the most effective, least expensive, and simplest options are not always followed.
Many people choose medications or vaccinations instead, despite their drawbacks.
Fortunately, there are lots of simple methods, both old and new, to help with avoidance. Remember, putting into practice any of these measures can only be helpful in managing your allergies.
When patients get started with the process of “allergy- proofing” their homes, one of two things usually happens.
They either do nothing or “overdo it.” Some patients become so overwhelmed with all the
different methods of allergy- proofing that they simply do nothing.
That’s always a disappointing outcome, especially when the process is so straightforward and inexpensive.
Just focusing on the basics of a routine and thorough cleaning and temperature and humidity reduction can lead to fewer symptoms and a vastly improved quality of life.
Sometimes, the opposite occurs. The allergy-proofing process becomes all consuming and inordinately expensive.
Overpriced and often inefficient whole-house filtration devices are installed when simple
cleaning and reduction of humidity and temperature would have been adequate.
Clearly, there are situations in which extreme measures need to be undertaken. Before going down this path, however, it’s best to consult with your doctor. Start with the easy things first.
Cleaning Tips
* Avoid ornate furniture. Plain, simple designs accumulate less dust. No open bookshelves; they are
great dust-catchers.
* Keep all clothes in drawers or closets, never lying about the room. Enclose wool clothes in plastic zipper bags. Avoid mothballs, insect sprays, tar paper, or camphor. Keep drawers and closet doors closed.
* Remove as much clutter as possible to make cleaning easier. Place hard-to-clean items in closets, drawers, or display cabinets with glass doors.
* When choosing furnishings, it is best to go with wood, leather, vinyl, or rubberized canvas
furniture and avoid upholstered pieces. Upholstery easily traps allergens and is much harder to clean. You might try washable slipcovers on existing upholstered furniture.
* Install wood, tile, or linoleum flooring. Limit throw rugs to those that can be easily cleaned in the washer. They should be able to withstand washing weekly.
* Use allergen-proof encasings for pillows, mattresses, and box springs. Tape over zippers to help prevent leaks. Vacuum all casings frequently. Store nothing under the bed.
* Use washable cotton or synthetic blankets, not fuzzy surfaced ones. Use easily laundered cotton bedspreads or coverlets; avoid chenille.
* Install roll-up washable cotton or synthetic window shades. Avoid venetian blinds, mini-blinds, and pleated shades.
* Use washable cotton or fiberglass curtains. Avoid draperies and decorative fabric window
treatments!
* Install central air conditioning or window units. Keep windows closed, especially during periods of high pollen counts and windy conditions. Grasses, weeds, and trees tend to pollinate during the early morning hours. Sleep with the windows closed.
* Use Dacron or other synthetics for pillows. Avoid feathers or foam rubber, which traps moisture and promotes mold and dust mite growth.
* Space heaters are preferred over hot air ducts. In homes with forced air heat, use filters or damp cheesecloth over inlets to reduce dust circulation. Change every two weeks. Consult your physician about air purifiers. Keep beds away from air vents.
* Damp dusting using a dampened cloth or an oiled mop will minimize the distribution of dust through the air.
Baby’s Room - Special Tips
It’s a good idea to eliminate potential irritants and allergens from your baby’s environment. Here’s what you can do to help eliminate potential sources of allergens from your baby’s world.
* Wood or plastic chairs are best for baby’s room.
* Again, avoid all feather bedding.
* Use dust-proof casings for all bedding.
* Stuffed animals should never be placed in the crib and, if used, should be washable. Put most of the stuffed items in a closed chest or closet. Store them in a freezer bag when not in use.
* When it comes to gifts for children, ask for books rather than stuffed animals. Keep the books in a bookcase with doors to help reduce allergens.
* Humidifiers should be reserved for croup. They should not be used routinely since they increase the dust mite and mold counts. If a humidifier is required, the cool water variety is safer than a steam humidifier in terms of burns. Also, be sure to change the water daily if a humidifier is necessary.
* Animal fur is a potential allergen. It’s best to keep pets out of the baby’s room.
* Overhead mobiles and wall hangings collect dust!
* Baby bumpers should be simple and washable. No ruffles or pleats.
* Ruffled curtains and venetian blinds collect a lot of dust. Vertical blinds are preferable. If
levelers or shutters are used, be sure to clean them weekly with a damp cloth.
* The crib should be placed away from air vents.
* A HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air-filter) can be placed under the crib. The filter
will help to decrease airborne allergens such as pollens, mold spores, and animal danders.
Written by dpi on December 10th, 2007 with no comments.
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