Pay attention to symptoms such as rhinitis to avoid complications
Print Edition
THE approach of spring means a lot of outings and outdoors activities like going to the park and sightseeing. But with this, doctors say they receive an increasing number of children with symptoms including itchy skin, runny noses, tearing, sneezing and even difficulty breathing.
“All these symptoms are mostly related to allergy,” said Dr Chen Tongxin from Shanghai Children’s Medical Center. “Pollen is a major cause for allergies in the spring after pollen in the air is inhaled. Allergies caused by food also are prevalent.”
An allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system. It occurs when the immune system reacts to what is a normally harmless substance in the environment, called an allergen.
Hospitals can do tests to identify the allergens that affect a specific child.
There are three types of common allergens, including respiratory allergens like pollen and dirt; food allergens like milk, eggs, peanuts and seafood; and contact allergens like cosmetics, paint and alcohol.
Allergic rhinitis is likely to be confused with ordinary colds. Rhinitis, especially in the spring is usually a seasonal rhinitis caused by pollen. Parents should take their children to a doctor if they have cold-like symptoms, especially an itchy nose, for over one week.
Seasonal rhinitis can develop into chronic rhinitis and even asthma if not treated in time, doctors said.
“It is difficult to cure an allergy given current medical skills, but you can keep your children from allergens to protect them,” Chen said.
Parents should carefully observe the environment and food when their children develop an allergy and protect children from contacting such allergens again.
“If your children are allergic to pollen, it is better not to go to places with a lot of trees and flowers, and not to smell flowers,” he said. “Regular physical exercise, maintaining hygiene at home and helping children relax about their allergy are all useful to help children conquer the problem.”
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