How can I help control my child’s allergic condition?

• Allergic conditions like asthma, allergic irritation of nose or allergic conditions of the eye are long-term problems that annoy children.

• Using medications to control these symptoms may be helpful in acute conditions but is impractical to use it for several years.

• The allergic conditions are generally made worse by irritants called ‘allergens’.

• Methods to deal with avoiding these allergens are effective in controlling the symptoms.

How can I control allergen exposure?

• Children tend to spend a large time indoors.

• There are various allergens like dust, mites, cockroaches, animals which need to be avoided in susceptible children.

• Keeping doors and windows closed for prolonged periods can lead to accumulation of these factors. Also, regular cleansing of the premises helps control symptoms.

• Some effective measures for children’s bedrooms are:

• Cover the beds and pillows with impermeable mite-proof covers that are available in the market. At night the cover can be removed and replaced with a fresh one.

• Wash the bed covers, pillow covers at least once a week in hot water.

• Vacuum the room and the furniture at least once a week.

• Make sure the room has good ventilation to avoid accumulation of allergens over time.

• Avoid unnecessary carpets, stuffed toys or entry of pets into your child’s room.

• Avoid exposure to pollen which is prominent in certain seasons like spring or summer. This pollen can gain access to your child’s room through open windows.

• Cockroaches need to be controlled by effectively storing food in tight containers and keeping the room clean and dry.

• Moulds or fungal growth especially on the roof and walls appearing in rainy season or damp areas need to be controlled. Avoid excess humidity by using room dehumidifiers.

• Completely avoid smoking indoors and use of wood as cooking fuel. Remember the smoke adhered to your shirt can also cause allergy in your child.

• Wash your child’s clothes with hypoallergenic detergents.

• Daily showering after outdoor play and regular hand washing also help minimise symptoms in your child.

• If the symptoms are not controlled with above measure, then medications are used to acutely control the problems.

Always use above measures along with medications for better allergy management.