Hay fever in children
definition
Hay fever is an allergic reaction of the body to actually harmless environmental substances.
The name is slightly misleading and should not be understood as an allergy to hay. Those affected do not have any problems with contact with hay, but rather are allergic to plant pollen.
The allergic reaction is an overreaction of the own immune system and manifests itself with an inflammatory reaction of the airways. Mucous membranes in particular are affected by the inflammation and cause the typical symptoms.
Causes of Hay Fever in Children
The cause of the development of hay fever lies in this How our immune system deals with harmless environmental substances.
In some people, the immune system mistakenly recognizes pollen as a dangerous environmental substance, so it is classified as Allergen are designated. The pollen taken in through the air, for example, activates cells of the immune system and releases them Antibody formation in the affected person, the aim is to neutralize the pollen. This reaction of the body makes sense from an evolutionary point of view and sometimes also serves the Defense against parasites.
The antibodies belong to a special class that is called IgE referred to as. The IgE in turn binds to the body's defense cells, which are known as Mast cells be named. If the IgE activates the mast cells, they release the hormone histamine suggests that it triggers an inflammatory reaction. In this way, immune cells can be attracted to their target location and eliminate the allergens. In hay fever, the body reacts excessively to an allergen and produces far too many antibodies. As a result, the inflammatory reaction triggered exceeds what is necessary.
It is important to know that the hay fever not at the first contact with the pollen arises. When pollen encounters defense cells of the immune system for the first time, this only leads to one Antibody formation and not yet one Inflammatory response.
In medical terminology this is called Awareness designated. Only the second and subsequent contacts trigger the typical symptoms, as the immune system remembers the allergen through the first contact and can trigger a targeted defense reaction of the body.
A recommendation from our response: Allergies in children
Diagnosing hay fever in children
The diagnosis of hay fever can be over several methods of investigation be asked. The simplest means for a doctor is that Ask the patient about typical symptoms as part of an allergy, paying particular attention to possible triggers the symptoms are related to their contact with environmental substances.
In order to confirm the suspected diagnosis, one follows physical examination of the person concerned. Here in particular is that inspection of the Nasal mucous membranes, of throat and the Conjunctiva of the eyes next to the Listening to the lungs in focus.
In addition, the skin examined for abnormalities. If all symptoms still point to an allergic cause, it may IgE in a blood sample to be determined. An increased value indicates the presence of an allergy. If you want to find out which special pollen you are allergic to, a Prick test be performed. Be there different allergens applied to the skin of the patient on the forearm and the Reaction of the body then observed under controlled conditions.
How can you recognize hay fever yourself?
Hay fever can often be diagnosed by yourself. To do this, the person concerned only has to observe himself closely. If he always typical symptoms of an allergy how Sneeze, one Itching in the nose or watery eyes when moving in the great outdoors gets, this is very suspicious.
Because that is characteristic of an allergy temporal connection between the appearance of the symptoms and the environment with the respective environmental substances.
It is also helpful suspicious environmental substance as well as possible for a while avoid and watch to see if symptoms subside. It is much easier on the other hand family members ask about known allergies. If, for example, one of the parents suffers from hay fever, it stands to reason that the allergy predisposition was inherited.
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Symptoms accompanying hay fever in children
The symptoms of hay fever are similar to those of a very common cold.
Affected must frequent sneezing and feel more and more Tingling in the nose. These symptoms are usually accompanied by one scratchy feeling in the mouth and throat. The cause of this is the inflammatory reaction that was triggered in the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. When you breathe in, the pollen first sticks to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, where it meets the body's own immune cells.
In contrast to the common cold, this often occurs with hay fever Symptoms around the eyes on. Often the eyes water or itch, and the conjunctiva is red and swollen. In some cases, it is much more difficult to determine the more sensitive reaction to other environmental substances compared to before. Specifically, this means that people can react more sensitively to cigarette smoke, dust, perfume or changes in the weather. In severe cases, the symptoms can even be a Asthma attack trigger or cause shortness of breath.
Hay fever in children with a cough
Cough with hay fever is a common combination. The cough is through that inflammatory irritation of the respiratory tract to explain. Hay fever mainly affects the upper respiratory tractbut can also include the lower airways.
Depending on how deep the pollen is transported with the breath, it triggers an inflammatory reaction after it has attached to the mucous membrane. Since the mucous membranes are well moistened, most of the pollen is already in the Area of the nose intercepted. If they still get deeper into the airways, this explains one Irritation below the throat. But a widening inflammatory reaction at the junction of the throat can also lead to a Throat irritation to lead.
Therapy of hay fever in children
In principle, it can be said about the treatment of hay fever that mild symptoms like sneezing several times not necessarily treated Need to become.
Only with high psychological stress the person concerned or serious symptoms should be a treatment respectively. The therapy is based on two basic ideas.
For one thing, there is one Symptom reduction to achieve and on the other hand that Regulate the immune system.
The symptom reduction can usually be achieved quickly local applications or Medication can be achieved, whereas the regulation of the immune system is much more difficult.
In order to permanently prevent the excessive response of the immune system, a Desensitization take place through medical care. Here the body is in ascending cans administered the allergen that triggers the allergy. The aim of this method is to slowly get the body used to the allergen over the years so that it reacts more tolerantly to the environmental substance.
If you don't want to undergo any therapy, you have to use the allergy-causing substance as well as possible avoid. With hay fever, however, this is quite difficult because the pollen is in the fresh air. However, avoiding fields or meadows is a very effective method.
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Medicines to treat hay fever in children
The main drugs used to treat hay fever are Antihistamines in question.
Her name already suggests that she is the Release of the hormone histamine from the inflammatory cells prevent. The effect is that the inflammatory reaction does not even take place and therefore no symptoms occur.
Antihistamines are in every pharmacy free for sale and thus easily accessible. However, one should be aware that the tablets only prevent symptoms and must be taken again if necessary. The Cause of allergy becomes not affected. Plus, they can be a side effect too tired do what can be detrimental during work or school hours.
Alternatively you can also Cortisone preparations can be used. However, these should be reserved for more severe cases. Your effect is that Downregulation of the immune responsewhich manifests itself in a swelling of the mucous membranes. These preparations are used especially in the case of shortness of breath in the context of a severe allergic shock. In lower dosage are they also in, for example Nasal sprays available for sale in the pharmacy. The use in tablet form should only take place after consultation with a doctor due to the possible side effects.
homeopathy
The treatment of hay fever with homeopathic remedies is called rather difficult They often only work in mild cases.
A hay fever with strong symptoms how Shortness of breath or asthma attacks should not be treated homoeopathically, as a protection of free airways must be guaranteed. They are effective herbal remedies for mild hay fever Pile tube and the Indian lungwort viewed.
It is important to note that homeopathic remedies are often used preventively in the case of known allergies and therefore early (i.e. 6 weeks before symptoms are expected to appear). Often times this proves to be extremely difficult. Nonetheless, homeopathic remedies need to be every day be taken and have no longer lasting effect. In the case of mild hay fever, however, they are to be regarded as an alternative if they respond well.
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Home remedies
As a tried and tested home remedy, the Nasal irrigation with table salt recommended, which washes the pollen from the mucous membranes. This way the allergen can be eliminated before there is one Immune reaction triggers.
If the mucous membranes are already inflamed and swollen, nasal irrigation can be used Decongestion of the mucous membranes support. Otherwise, it is especially helpful to take a shower after being outdoors and to keep your day clothes outside of the bedroom.
If you also want to influence the allergy positively, you can consciously eat an anti-allergenic diet. A balanced intake of trace elements such as Zinc, selenium and magnesium namely can reduce the release of histamine. Even the conscious one Avoid foods containing histamine such as cheese, salami and nuts can have a beneficial effect on the course of the allergy.
eye drop
Eye drops can optionally be used for hay fever. Especially when the conjunctiva is reddened, the additional applied tear fluid can alleviate the symptoms. In most cases, an artificial tear fluid without active ingredients is sufficient to eliminate the feeling of "dry eyes". Alternatively, there are eye drops with antihistamines specially designed for allergy sufferers.
In the case of hay fever, eye drops with an active ingredient from the group of antihistamines are also used to alleviate the discomfort in the eyes, including Livocab® eye drops. Read more about this at: Livocab® eye drops against hay fever
Duration of illness of hay fever in children
The length of time from the presence of a hay fever can be not specified become. Its development is to be regarded as individual, what its appearance at any age explained. The beginning can be gradual or sudden as well as its improvement until it disappears completely. Its severity can also vary and does not provide any reliable information about its course.
In most cases, however, one shows up Persistence of hay fever for many years to life. The hay fever does not have to be permanent, but often depends on the seasons with the associated pollen count. That explains why sufferers mostly symptom-free in winter are.
