1.What is the reason for such an increase in allergic diseases?
Allergies are caused by the immune system's overreaction to proteins that are normally required to react in abnormal situations. Considering how far we have moved away from a healthy and natural life in today's conditions, we should not be surprised at the overreaction of the immune system under normal conditions. The increase in migration from rural life to urban life, unhealthy and additive nutrition, air pollution, stress-filled life, and the increasing use of chemical products in our lives are just a few of the reasons we can count.
2. Nowadays, due to the pandemic and the season, colds and infections are also quite common. When should we consider allergies? Cold or allergic rhinitis?
Situations where infection should be considered first;
- * Body malaise
- * Weakness
- * Fire
- * Muscle pains
- * Intense sore throat
Situations that should be considered in favor of allergies;
- * Prolonged nasal congestion
- * Consecutive sneezing
- * Clear nasal discharge with itchy nose
- * Watering and itching in the eyes
However, it should not be forgotten that the essential thing is always the evaluation made by the physician concerned.
3. In which cough should we consider allergy?
In cough, for allergy to come to mind;
- * Prolonged cough
- * Coughing more frequently at night than during the day
- * Cough that increases with exercise, crying or laughing, especially
Allergy should be taken into consideration in the complaints of prolonged nasal congestion, itching and recurrent sneezing accompanied by coughing.
4. Children get sick very often in the first year of kindergarten, what is your advice for these children?
In children sent to the nursery, first of all, natural and balanced nutrition should be provided. In addition, it should be ensured that the duration and quality of sleep is sufficient. The immune system of children who go out of the house for the first time and mix with the crowded environment encounters many infectious agents. In such a situation, the immune system is expected to fight more disease than normal. However, some children have an allergic genetic structure or a deficiency in the immune system. And because of this, they go through this process much more painfully. It should be evaluated in terms of allergic diseases and immune system.
- * Children who have to use antibiotics frequently
- * Children who can't get over the cold without a prolonged cough
- * Children with lower respiratory tract involvement
- * Children who experience more-than-normal interruptions in school attendance due to illness.
Frequent use of antibiotics can be prevented by providing the necessary preventive treatment for children in the appropriate patient group. With preventive treatments, the interrupted and unhealthy school process is also corrected.
5. How do you diagnose allergy?
First of all, the story contains very valuable key information. Nasal and lung findings shed light on the diagnosis during examination. Allergy skin tests show what the allergy is related to in a very short time. Thanks to this test, information is obtained about which of the possible causes such as house dust, pollen, cat or dog hair, mold fungi is an allergen. Pulmonary function tests provide information about lung capacity and help diagnose asthma. However, this test can be applied in patients of appropriate age.
6. If there is a family history of allergies, are there any precautions that can be taken during pregnancy to prevent the child from being born?
Numerous studies have been conducted on this subject so far. These studies could not provide any definite information or suggestions that could prevent allergy in pregnancy. In order to maintain a healthy pregnancy process, the following suggestions should be given to the expectant mother;
- * Staying away from stress
- * Preferring normal delivery if possible
- * Balanced and natural nutrition throughout pregnancy
- * Avoidance of alcohol and cigarettes during pregnancy
7. Is corona virus infection a risk for allergic children?
Not only the corona virus, but also other viruses that affect the respiratory tract cause coughing attacks in allergic asthma. What is important here is that a patient with allergic asthma continues the preventive treatment recommended by his physician without interruption. Data to date have shown that, contrary to popular belief, most people with asthma survive the coronavirus infection in a similar way to healthy people.
8. Does every child who is prescribed medicated steam therapy or spray (inhaler) medication is asthmatic?
Preschool children may have wheezing and coughing attacks triggered by viral infections. In this case, such treatments may need to be used. In most of these children, as the age gets older, the complaints decrease and the necessity of using these drugs disappears. So not all of them look like asthma.
9. Is there a permanent treatment method that can completely end the allergic process?
The allergy medications we use in treatment today are essential for maintaining a healthy life. However, elimination of allergic march is only possible with vaccine (immunotherapy) treatment. If this treatment method, which is suitable for selected patient groups, is deemed necessary by the physician, it should be applied by deciding together with the patient.
Assoc. Dr. Mehtap KILIC
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Specialist
