With the coming of spring, the pollen and poplar fluff appear, provoking “headaches” to people of all ages and especially to children. If you notice in your child symptoms such as sneezing, red eyes, tears or inflammation of the throat, know that he/she is facing spring allergies! These can represent real threats especially for children who already have an atopic condition. That is why it is important to do the necessary laboratory tests to make sure that the little one does not have an allergy to a specific antigen.

How often are allergies met in children?

In recent years the incidence of allergic diseases has been steadily rising. Child allergies are a common problem caused by weakening of the immune system. Undiagnosed allergy often evolves, posing a danger to life.

What are the most common forms of allergy in the little ones?

The most common allergies in children are food allergies. The most common foods that cause allergies are: milk, eggs, fish, soy, wheat flour, peanuts and strawberries. However, if we focus on seasonal allergies, the forms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (nasal discharge, frequent sneezing, pruritus, lacrimation, obstruction and nasal pruritus; bronchial asthma attacks, allergic dermatitis) are predominantly caused by pollen allergens that penetrate the body. Here we can talk about the pollen of poplar, alder, maple, birch, ash, oak, walnut, pine; grass pollen: rye, oats, barley and ruderal plants – ambrosia, wormwood.

What effects can they have on children’s health?

It is very important to know if there is a hereditary predisposition to allergic diseases in the child’s body. This plays a very important role in preventing severe forms of seasonal allergies. The severity of the illness depends on the amount of allergen entered in the sensitized body. The severe forms of seasonal allergy are bronchial asthma, which is supposed to have a substantial impact on the quality of life of the child.

What kind of tests do we have to make to the child to make sure he/she does not have an allergy to a specific antigen?

Paraclinical tests are very important for establishing the diagnosis and preventing the forms of seasonal allergies. These are performed in two ways: In Vivo (Challenge Test) and In Vitro. In Vitro tests have the advantage that they can be performed in all age groups, independent of antihistamine treatment. Total immunoglobulin E is appreciated, specific allergen to causative allergens – pollen, fungus (mold spores), garbage (dust tick), food, epidermal (pet epithelium). In Vitro tests are also better for children, while the skin tests are slightly more stressful for the little ones. The psychological factor here takes its toll. Such a test in children costs up to 1000 MDL. By doing a complex test, we can give the parents an answer about the presence of hypersensitivity to allergens.

What recommendations could you give to parents whose children suffer from seasonal allergies?

It is important that parents who know their allergy anamnesis, know that they have allergy to certain substances, contact an allergy specialist. Here they will perform the paraclinical tests to confirm/deny a diagnosis and prevent the occurrence of severe forms of allergies in their children.

How can we protect the child from spring allergies?

The highest pollen concentration in the air is found in the morning. That is why parents need to avoid maximum outdoor walks in the morning hours. The ventilation of the room, also, should not be done in the early hours of the morning. It is also important to use home humidifiers to reduce the concentration of fungal, household pollen. You can also use air purifiers that capture pollen from rooms. Another measure for adults would be to use masks, protection eyeglasses, to reduce the penetration of excessive pollen.  

Author: Stela Eftodiev, allergist, specialist in laboratory diagnostics at Invitro Diagnostics.