Allergic problems can be devastating for children and finding the route cause can be just as difficult. Some allergies are easy to identify by the pattern of symptoms whilst others are more subtle and may masquerade as other conditions. Some common symptoms that indicate an allergy are:

• Repeated or chronic cold-like symptoms; nose rubbing, sniffling, snorting, sneezing and itchy, runny eyes
• Recurrent red, itchy, dry, sometime scaly rashes in the creases of the skin, wrists, and ankles.
• Coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing and other respiratory symptoms. Coughing may be an isolated symptom; increases at night or with exercise are suspicious for asthma.

The first step towards treatment is to evaluate the following:

• your child’s diet for food allergies, paying special attention to foods containing milk, yeast, moulds, wheat, fish, nuts, eggs, soy. Some recurrent infections are caused by deficiencies in certain nutrients, which contributes to a break-down in the immune system.
• Dust (which contains dust mites, pollen, mould and other fine ground particles)
• Latex and other household articles such as, balloons, rubber gloves and toys
• Household pets such as, cats, dogs etc
• Indoor pollution, such as, aerosol sprays
• Outdoor pollution, such as, car fumes, pollen or pine trees

Some allergies are seasonal and cannot be avoided. Where possible try to address each possible cause; e.g. by keeping bed linens regularly clean; airing bed and padded furnishings; and also vacuuming carpets, rugs and other floor surfaces. Try and manage

Your child’s allergy treatment should be examined by your GP, who may refer to you to a specialist for additional evaluations and treatments