Source:EPA to Remove and Replace Lead-Contaminated Soils at 11 Schools, 16 Child Care Facilities in St. Francois County, Mo. (MO)

Depending on the type and cause of allergies, and the allergy symptoms which are causing discomfort for the child, there are a number of natural and alternative methods for relieving child allergies.

Alternatives For Relieving Child Allergies—Seasonal Allergies

With seasonal allergies, the most troubling symptoms are related to the sinuses and the lungs. Mucus build-up and congestion cause secondary sinus and ear infections and are the major source of discomfort from seasonal allergies, causing sinus pain, runny and/or stuffy nose, itchiness in the eyes and nose, headache, and difficulty breathing. Often, if the congestion can be broken up, symptoms will be alleviated to a more tolerable level and reliance on medications can be reduced or eliminated.

The following are some useful alternative methods for breaking up sinus and chest congestion and easing the discomfort of seasonal child allergies.

• Humidification—adding humidity to household air eases breathing and moisturizes mucus and nasal passages, helping the child breathe easier and clear out congestion naturally. Humidification is most beneficial during dry seasons and placing a humidifier in a child’s bedroom can make a very big difference. However, excess household moisture creates a breeding ground for molds, which are also common allergens; household humidity should not exceed 40%.
• Warm bath—a soothing warm bath can ease both discomfort and achy muscles (sometimes caused by excessive coughing and sneezing) and also provides humidity to clear congestion and mucus.
• Hydration—keeping the child well-hydrated ensures the body has enough water stores to thin and clear mucus. Water also helps to flush allergens from the child’s system.
• Nasal irrigation—there are a few ways to perform nasal irrigation on children. Nasal irrigation consists of using a saline (salt water) solution to thin and clear mucus and congestion in the nose; saline rinses also help to reduce nasal inflammation, which opens blockages caused by swelling. Since it is difficult to perform a true nasal irrigation on a young child without them inhaling the water, nasal saline sprays, saline drops, or droppering the solution with a bulb-syringe is usually best.
• Warm and cold compresses—compresses (as simple as a moist, warm or cold facecloth over the affected area) are useful for relieving child allergies and sinus symptoms. Warm compresses can help break-down congestion and ease pain and pressure, and cold compresses can reduce inflammation.
• Mints and inhalants—mints and lozenges and inhalants like steeping eucalyptus can clear sinuses and relieve congestion from child allergies. Of course, it is imperative that care be taken any time a child is near hot water; boiling the eucalyptus and letting the scent fill the room is effective enough and much safer.
• Raising head of bed—raising the head of the child when sleeping (by propping up the mattress or using several pillows) helps prevent post-nasal drip, promotes drainage and makes resting easier.

Alternatives For Relieving Child Allergies—Skin Allergies

Skin allergy relief is generally a matter of easing skin damage, pain, and discomfort.

• Washing—as soon as a child comes into contact with a known skin allergen, the area should be thoroughly washed to minimize the reaction.
• Compresses—again, warm or cold compresses applied to the affected area can relieve pain and reduce inflammation (warm for pain, cold for swelling)
• Warm baths—a warm bath also reduces skin discomfort, but care must be taken that the water is not too hot and does not cause further drying and skin damage. A bath with oatmeal in it is very effective at repairing the skin and relieving itching associated with skin allergies.
• Lotions and creams to moisturize—skin allergies that result in excessive dryness (such as eczema) benefit from the application of moisturizing creams and lotions which help repair the skin. Lotions should not contain high levels of water which have the effect of drying the skin.
• Lotions and creams to dry—relieving child allergies with skin rashes sometimes requires drying of allergic blisters (such as from poison ivy); lotions such as calamine are effective at drying blistering allergic skin rashes.
• Hydration—again, hydration helps to flush the system of allergens and also helps to moisturize and repair the skin.

Alternatives For Relieving Child Allergies—Food Allergies

Unfortunately, there is not much to be done naturally when it comes to relieving child allergies to food except for avoidance of the trigger; avoiding allergenic foods is the most effective way to manage food allergies in children safely. However, if child food allergies cause skin rashes or congestion, the above steps can be helpful at relieving those symptoms associated with the food allergy. As always, hydration is an important factor in flushing offensive food allergens from the body.

In addition to those methods mentioned here, there are a number of herbal and homeopathic remedies that are showing promise in the relief of allergies, but many are not well-studied for safety. Such methods and products may prove helpful in relieving child allergies, but they should be discussed with the child’s doctor prior to use.

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Why Relief Is Important For Kids With Skin Allergies

Relieving skin allergy symptoms for kids with skin allergies makes their lives easier to live. The symptoms of skin allergies and associated skin allergy rashes can range in severity and discomfort. Symptoms may produce only mild itching and discomfort, or they can produce far more discomforting itching, tingling, pain, and swelling.

The itching associated with many skin allergy rashes in kids with skin allergies often leads children to incessant scratching. When children scratch allergic skin rashes, they become even more inflamed, and frequently become cracked and dry as well. Tears, cracks, and dryness can become very painful and open the skin for secondary infections. Impetigo and other viral and bacterial infections are not uncommon in children who have scratched their skin to injury.

Skin allergy rashes that are the result of a systemic reaction (as is often the case with hives) need to be controlled for reasons of child comfort, but also for reasons of health and safety. Systemic allergy reactions can also produce symptoms that affect other parts of the body such as the airways, nasal passages, and lungs. This can lead to loss of sleep, fatigue, asthma or difficulty breathing, and any of these things can significantly impact the active and academic life of the child.

Medication Options For Kids With Skin Allergies

There are several medication options for relieving symptoms in kids with skin allergies.

• Topical corticosteroid creams and ointments are helpful at relieving inflammation
• Systemic (oral) corticosteroids may be necessary for some types of skin allergies
• Anti-itch, or antipruritic lotions relieve itching and prevent associated skin damage
• Drying lotions, such as calamine lotion, may be indicated for certain types of skin allergies (like poison ivy)
• Antihistamines (allergy medications) can reverse an allergic reaction for a time and break the reaction until the substance is removed from the skin and/or system

Mild to moderate skin allergies often respond to over-the-counter versions of these drugs; for more severe cases, a doctor’s prescription may be necessary.

Non-Medicinal Relief Measures For Children With Skin Allergies

The first step in relieving skin allergies in children is to remove the source of the allergic reaction. Start looking toward new and recently ingested/contacted products and foods as sources, and eliminate the most likely culprit.

Contact dermatitis (allergic skin rash) results when the skin comes into contact with an allergen, such as a plant, metal, or chemical. When a child’s allergy is the result of touching something they are allergic to, thorough washing is the first step toward removal of the trigger and relief. In addition, one or more of the aforementioned or following relief measures may help kids with skin allergies of this type.

• Use cool, wet compresses against swollen and inflamed areas
• Apply lotions and creams as indicated to moisturize dry, cracking skin allergy rashes (primarily, in the treatment of atopic dermatitis)
• Bathe the child in an oatmeal bath to soothe itching
• Use colloidal oatmeal creams, soaps, and products to relieve itching and promote healing
• Dress the child in natural cotton fibers

A child who has hives will either need to let the rash (if minor or moderate) run its course or take an oral medication to stop the reaction. Otherwise, the only relief is to manage the hives and swelling until the rash subsides.

In the case of atopic dermatitis, controlling the itch that causes the child to scratch and subsequently cause the rash is the best defense. Warm (not hot) baths and frequent moisturization with fragrance-free, high-quality skin creams and lotions is called for, and oral medications to stop the allergic reaction may also be warranted. With atopic dermatitis, if you can control the itch you can control the rash.

These basic measures will help relieve rashes in kids with skin allergies. When these measures do not help, you have a question, or a reaction is severe and impedes critical body functions (breathing and swallowing), medical attention is necessary.

Source:No Significant Health Risks Found in Analysis of Second Round of Soil Sampling Near Soccer Complex in Cameron, Mo.