Posted on November 15, 2007 in Allergies in Children
Since families of today prefer to have pets around them, children in most homes have become vulnerable to the adversities of animal allergies. It is important for parents to help their child cope with these pet allergens through lucrative and diverse ways and with the due attention of a doctor.
Causes of pet allergies in children:
Though many people believe that pet allergies are caused due to the fur of the pets, experts have been able to deduce that pet allergies are caused due to the proteins that is secreted through the oil glands of the animal skin. Pet allergens therefore, can appear in the form of the skin that animals shed, which is also called dander, proteins in the saliva and in the urine.
However, experts claim that genetic factors and environmental circumstances can also lead to severe pet allergy reactions and symptoms in your child. Pet allergens are therefore proteins which when breathed or touched by children can cause allergic reactions through the air or contact with the eyes.
Symptoms of pet allergies in children:
Pet allergens leave significant traces behind after polluting the air and objects which children either breathe or come in contact with. These symptoms occur in the following forms of reactions:
- Hay fever symptoms that is constant sneezing and a running or blocked nose.
- Itchy and watery eyes.
- Asthma symptoms like coughing and wheezing.
- Red rashes on the skin that may itch or in other words a nettle rash.
- Red patches that appear with itching tendencies on the skin surface or in other words children’s eczema.
Tests or diagnosis for treating pet allergies in children:
When a child seems to suffer an abnormal reaction when exposed to pet allergens, then parents need to act promptly and see a doctor for further guidance and treatment to deal with the symptoms of pet allergy. Thereafter the doctor will ensure that the child undergoes the following tests to confirm the allergic reactions to pets:
- Blood tests
- Skin prick tests
Treatment options to cure pet allergies in children:
Doctors suggest an array of treatments that are easy and available in markets today to cure pet allergies in children. They include the following:
- Antihistamine tablets or syrups can be given to reduce the symptoms of pet allergy.
- Nasal sprays or drops can be used to reduce the inflammation of the nose and other nasal complications like a dripping or blocked nose.
- Eye drops to reduce the swelling, redness and itching of the eyes.
- Experts suggest that bronchodilators can be used in case of an emergency where you can suffer acute pet allergic symptoms like breathing difficulties.
- Also anti-inflammatories are suggested by experts to treat swelling up of the skin surface, eyes, nose, etc.
- Allergy shots like adrenaline or epinephrine injection can also be used in case of an emergency to control the symptoms of pet allergy in children.
Preventive measures to treat pet allergies in children:
If you don’t want your child to grow with the adversities of pet allergies, then learn to treat them before it gets worse. Follow these preventive tips to help your child outgrow with pet allergy symptoms and reactions:
- If possible restrict the entry of pets into your living premises like your bedroom, hall or sitting rooms.
- Keep the floors, rugs and mats clean and dusted almost on an everyday basis.
- Use air filters for greater circulation of the air thereby cleansing the air off all dander, dust and germs that can cause allergic reactions to your little ones.
- Try bathing and brushing your pets often or rather appoint someone else to do so.
Researchers claim that children tend to outgrow with allergies. However, it is an issue at hand and needs to be dealt with perseverance and attention. So parents should try their level best to ward off the signs of pet allergy reactions in their child, if they don’t want the allergies to become chronic for him or her.
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