ALLERGY IN CHILDREN
What is the reason for such an increase in allergic diseases?
Allergy; It is caused by an overreaction by the immune system to proteins that we should not normally react to.
Considering how far we have moved away from a healthy and natural life today, it is not surprising to see this justified rebellion of the immune system.
The increase in migration from the village to the city, unhealthy and additive nutrition, air pollution, increased stress, the increasing use of chemical products in our lives are just a few reasons for allergies.
Nowadays, due to the pandemic and the season, colds and infections are also quite common. When should we consider allergies? Cold or allergic rhinitis?
In the presence of malaise, fever, muscle aches and intense sore throat, infection should be considered primarily.
Prolonged nasal congestion, consecutive sneezing, nasal itching and clear nasal discharge, watery eyes and itching are in favor of allergy.
However, it should not be forgotten that the main thing is always the examination and the evaluation of the physician.
In which cough should we consider allergies?
Allergy should be considered in a cough that is prolonged, more frequent at night than during the day, and especially increases with exercise, crying or laughing.
Allergic cough can be dry and intermittent, as well as with intense sputum.
The presence of an underlying allergic disease should definitely be reviewed, especially in children who are faced with frequent antibiotic use. Appropriate treatment will prevent unnecessary drug use.
Allergy should be taken into consideration in the complaints of prolonged nasal congestion, itching, and recurrent sneezing accompanying cough.
Children get sick very often in the first year of kindergarten, what is your advice for these children?
In particular, it should be ensured that a balanced and natural diet is provided and that the quality and duration of sleep is sufficient.
It is an expected situation that the immune system, which goes out of the house for the first time, mixes with the crowded environment and faces many infectious factors, fights more diseases than normal.
However, some children have an allergic genetic structure or immune system deficiency and experience this process more painfully.
It must be evaluated in terms of allergic diseases and immune system.
• Had to use antibiotics frequently,
• Can't get over the cold without a prolonged cough,
• With lower respiratory tract involvement,
• Children who have a lot of interruptions in school attendance due to illness,
the preventive treatments required in the appropriate patient group will prevent the frequent use of antibiotics and will improve an unhealthy school process.
How do you diagnose allergies?
First of all, the history of the disease contains very valuable key information.
Nasal and lung findings during the examination shed light on the diagnosis.
With allergy skin tests, you can quickly learn what the overreaction is related to, and possible causes include house dust, mold fungus, pollen, cat or dog hair.
While there is no lower age limit for food evaluation for allergy testing, we prefer at least 2 years of age for respiratory allergens.
However, it should not be forgotten that in younger children who experience frequent coughing and wheezing attacks, preventive treatment should be started without the need for testing.
Pulmonary function tests in age-appropriate patients also give us information about lung capacity and help in diagnosing asthma.
Associate Professor Mehtap KILIC
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Specialist
Adress: Cumhuriyet Mahallesi, Alparslan Bulvari, No: 26/5 ATAKUM / SAMSUN
Telephone: +90 552 438 77 00
Instagram: /docdrmehtapkilic
