The Latin American icon of revolution Dr. Ernesto “Che” Guevarra wheezed, sneezed, and gasped his way into history– he sought a cure for his asthma throughout the South American continent during his younger years, and found none. Only in April 2010 have experts found that people with “tenant” worms in their tummies churn up unique protein fragments into the bloodstream to rid themselves of asthma and other allergies.
It may take a few years before the medication that mimics the work of “tummy tenants” become available in the market–and the squeamish may not likely buy the idea of infecting themselves with parasitic worms to ease allergies. Meanwhile, parents can try some helpful tack to cope with their child’s allergies.
Experts from two Boston hospitals who toughed up through six years handling over 1,200 emergency cases of school age kids–more than half had life-threatening anaphylaxis that had to be treated with epinephrine shots–recommend that “all children at risk for food-related anaphylaxis carry two doses of [self-injectable] epinephrine.”
Experience has taught them that some children “need more than one dose because of a resurgence of symptoms, either before or after being rushed to a hospital’s emergency department.”
Physicians are more likely to treat emergency cases with corticosteroids and antihistamines. In current practice of handling food-related anaphylaxis, though (1) doctors use epinephrine as first line of treatment, (2) refer patients to allergists, (3) instruct patients to avoid suspected foods, and (4) prescribe self-injectable epinephrine.
Nearly half of emergency cases involved children who had a known history of food allergies, but still ate these foods accidentally. Parents of allergy-prone kids may gain from these tips:
- For kids, discuss your child’s food allergy with him more than once. Preschool children and those of school age often share or switch snacks with friends or classmates– that’s not safe.
- For older children and teenagers, teach them how to read food labels and to shun those they are at risk to.
- Inform anyone and everyone that comes into contact with your child about his/her condition. They include teachers, school nurses, daycare providers, relatives, friends, and friends’ parents. It won’t hurt to let them know how to handle a food reaction.
- Most allergy attacks happen outside the home when a parent or guardian isn’t present–when your child visits a relative or friend, let him bring his/her baon of nonallergy foodstuff.
- If your child has an allergic reaction, determine right away if your child needs medical attention. Many parents like to seek medication attention for their kids even if it appears that they are okay–good move especially if the allergy is relatively new or if it is the first couple of times that you are dealing with an allergic reaction.
- If your child is given medication to take in the event of an allergic reaction, make sure that medication is with you and your child at all times. At school or daycare center, give the medication to the school nurse or daycare provider. If your child is visiting friends or family, be sure to give the medication to the adult and let them know when it needs to be used, if at all.
- Read food labels.
