Baby allergies are often the cause of baby asthma, which is a debilitating disease that frightens parents when they are first confronted with it, and never ceases to be a cause for concern even after treatment has begun. When the tubes carrying air to the lungs become constricted and their linings inflamed, the patient has difficulty getting air through them. Breathing takes on a wheezing sound as the baby suffers shortness of breath. It is not an uncommon condition in very young children. Ten to fifteen percent of American children in grade school have or have had asthma as infants. There are a number of common substances that cause allergic reactions in babies, resulting in asthma. The most common causes of baby allergies are: dust and dust mites, cockroaches, animals such as cats and dogs, molds, and secondhand cigarette smoke. Ironically, there is evidence showing that very early exposure to pets and some infections seem to reduce the risk of developing asthma.
Baby asthma that occurs more than twice weekly should be treated with medications or by avoiding the environmental factors that produce the symptoms. Once the baby allergens have been identified, the family can work to reduce or completely eliminate the causes, and thereby reducing the frequency of the asthma attacks. Simple actions such as putting plastic coverings on pillows and mattresses, and getting rid of stuffed toys and carpet may be recommended. Indoor pets may have to stay outdoors instead--or at least out of the child's room, and get frequent baths. There are vacuum cleaners that have air filters that reduce the incidence of dust mites. Keeping the house free of pests such as cockroaches by regular pest treatment may help. Preventing mold from developing in the home is another important action parents can take to prevent baby allergies and baby asthma.
Infections of the nose and throat, pneumonia and sinus infections can be asthma triggers, so protecting the baby from being around infected people and unhealthy environments is important. Cigarette and other smoke can be avoided more easily now than in years past because society has become so conscious of the danger to everyone from these pollutants, but other things that pollute our air are not so easily avoided. Parents have to be on guard to the dangers and do the best they can by paying attention to the air quality reports. Reducing humidity in the air helps prevent baby asthma episodes, so if the child lives in a climate-controlled environment (central heat and air), it is the safest air he or she can breathe. We are reminded in scripture that good health is something God wants for us. "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 1:2)
When baby allergies causing asthma attacks persist in spite of the best efforts of the family to make the environment safe from baby allergies, medical intervention may be necessary. Asthma medications come in several forms: Metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, liquids that can be used in nebulizers, and pills. Obviously, the liquids that can be used in nebulizers are the best to use in the case of an infant. The medication is then inhaled directly into the air passages where it does the most good. Also, this kind of medication and the other inhalers have the least side effects, which makes them the preferred treatments for all ages.
There are two groups of asthma medications: Quick relief medications and controller medications. Quick-relief meds are those mentioned above, designed for short-term use to open up narrow breathing passages and help relieve wheezing and breathlessness. Controller meds reduce the number of days or nights a child has symptoms, and are not used for relief of symptoms. Babies with symptoms more than twice a week or who wake up more than twice per month should be controller medications. Inhaled corticosteroids are the preferred controller medication for all ages. They are safe for most children.
Diagnosing baby asthma can be difficult because other problems produce similar symptoms. The pediatrician will do a careful examination of the child, and will ask the parents a number of questions before stating that the infant is suffering from asthma. He will need a description of all the symptoms the parents have witnessed, and will ask if they know what triggers the symptoms or what makes them worse. He will want a list of medications tried, and whether or not they helped. Knowledge of a family history of allergies or asthma will be helpful. Asthma does seem to run in families.
Testing of the child's airway function will help determine whether or not asthma is actually the cause of the child's problem. Testing may be done before and after asthma medication has been given to show that the medication is having a positive effect. If medication does not help, there may be complicating factors such as hay fever, sinus infection, or heartburn. Not every child who wheezes has asthma. Some are born with smaller than normal lungs, and infections can cause blockage of air passages. As their lungs grow, they no longer wheeze after an infection.
Baby asthma that occurs more than twice weekly should be treated with medications or by avoiding the environmental factors that produce the symptoms. Once the baby allergens have been identified, the family can work to reduce or completely eliminate the causes, and thereby reducing the frequency of the asthma attacks. Simple actions such as putting plastic coverings on pillows and mattresses, and getting rid of stuffed toys and carpet may be recommended. Indoor pets may have to stay outdoors instead--or at least out of the child's room, and get frequent baths. There are vacuum cleaners that have air filters that reduce the incidence of dust mites. Keeping the house free of pests such as cockroaches by regular pest treatment may help. Preventing mold from developing in the home is another important action parents can take to prevent baby allergies and baby asthma.
Infections of the nose and throat, pneumonia and sinus infections can be asthma triggers, so protecting the baby from being around infected people and unhealthy environments is important. Cigarette and other smoke can be avoided more easily now than in years past because society has become so conscious of the danger to everyone from these pollutants, but other things that pollute our air are not so easily avoided. Parents have to be on guard to the dangers and do the best they can by paying attention to the air quality reports. Reducing humidity in the air helps prevent baby asthma episodes, so if the child lives in a climate-controlled environment (central heat and air), it is the safest air he or she can breathe. We are reminded in scripture that good health is something God wants for us. "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 1:2)
When baby allergies causing asthma attacks persist in spite of the best efforts of the family to make the environment safe from baby allergies, medical intervention may be necessary. Asthma medications come in several forms: Metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, liquids that can be used in nebulizers, and pills. Obviously, the liquids that can be used in nebulizers are the best to use in the case of an infant. The medication is then inhaled directly into the air passages where it does the most good. Also, this kind of medication and the other inhalers have the least side effects, which makes them the preferred treatments for all ages.
There are two groups of asthma medications: Quick relief medications and controller medications. Quick-relief meds are those mentioned above, designed for short-term use to open up narrow breathing passages and help relieve wheezing and breathlessness. Controller meds reduce the number of days or nights a child has symptoms, and are not used for relief of symptoms. Babies with symptoms more than twice a week or who wake up more than twice per month should be controller medications. Inhaled corticosteroids are the preferred controller medication for all ages. They are safe for most children.
Diagnosing baby asthma can be difficult because other problems produce similar symptoms. The pediatrician will do a careful examination of the child, and will ask the parents a number of questions before stating that the infant is suffering from asthma. He will need a description of all the symptoms the parents have witnessed, and will ask if they know what triggers the symptoms or what makes them worse. He will want a list of medications tried, and whether or not they helped. Knowledge of a family history of allergies or asthma will be helpful. Asthma does seem to run in families.
Testing of the child's airway function will help determine whether or not asthma is actually the cause of the child's problem. Testing may be done before and after asthma medication has been given to show that the medication is having a positive effect. If medication does not help, there may be complicating factors such as hay fever, sinus infection, or heartburn. Not every child who wheezes has asthma. Some are born with smaller than normal lungs, and infections can cause blockage of air passages. As their lungs grow, they no longer wheeze after an infection.
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