Diagnosing Allergies

Some allergies are fairly easy to identify because the pattern of symptoms following exposure to certain allergens can be hard to miss. But other allergies are less obvious because they can masquerade as other conditions.

If your child has cold-like symptoms lasting longer than a week or two or develops a “cold” at the same time every year, consult your doctor, who will likely ask questions about the symptoms and when they appear. Based on the answers to these questions and a physical exam, the doctor may be able to make a diagnosis and prescribe medications or may refer you to an allergist for allergy skin tests and more extensive therapy.

To determine the cause of an allergy, allergists usually perform skin tests for the most common environmental and food allergens.

If reactions to a food or other allergen are severe, a blood test may be used to diagnose the allergy so as to avoid exposure to the offending allergen. Skin tests are less expensive and more sensitive than blood tests for allergies. But blood tests may be required in children with skin conditions or those who are extremely sensitive to a particular allergen.

Even if a skin test and/or a blood test show an allergy, a child must also have symptoms to be definitively diagnosed with an allergy. For example, a toddler who has a positive test for dust mites and sneezes frequently while playing on the floor would be considered allergic to dust mites.

Treating Allergies

There is no real cure for allergies, but it is possible to relieve symptoms. The only real way to cope with them is to reduce or eliminate exposure to allergens. That means that parents must educate their kids early and often, not only about the allergy itself, but also about what reaction they will have if they consume or come into contact with the allergen.

Informing any and all caregivers (childcare personnel, teachers, extended family members, parents of your child’s friends, etc.) about your child’s allergy is equally important.

If reducing exposure isn’t possible or is ineffective, medications may be prescribed, including antihistamines (which you can also buy over the counter) and inhaled or nasal spray steroids.

In some cases, an allergist may recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) to help desensitize your child. However, allergy shots are only helpful for allergens such as dust, mold, pollens, animals, and insect stings. They’re not used for food allergies, and someone with food allergies must avoid that food.

Tips to avoid Airborne Allergens –

Here are some things that can help kids avoid airborne allergens:

1.         Keep family pets out of certain rooms, like your child’s bedroom, and bathe them if necessary.

2.         Remove carpets or rugs from your child’s room (hard floor surfaces don’t collect dust as much as carpets do).

3.         Don’t hang heavy drapes and get rid of other items that allow dust to accumulate.

4.         Clean frequently.

5.         Use special covers to seal pillows and mattresses if your child is allergic to dust mites.

6.         For kids allergic to pollen, keep the windows closed when the pollen season is at its peak, change their clothing after they’ve been outdoors, and don’t let them mow the lawn.

Keep kids who are allergic to mold away from damp areas, such as basements, and keep bathrooms and other mold-prone areas clean and dry.

The good news is that only a very small group of kids will experience severe or life-threatening allergies. With proper diagnosis, preventive measures, and treatment, most kids can keep their allergies in check and live happy, healthy lives.

I am writing this article in continuation of my earlier post about ‘Allergies in Children – Why, Who is prone and Which all types?’

 It’s so important to detect the allergy symptoms soon. The physician will be surely there to confirm the allergy but as a parent you should at least be informed about the symptoms of possible allergies in children. Allergy symptoms in children often resemble the signs that indicate they are tired or catching a cold. It is important then, that you know what the common allergies are for children, what may trigger these allergies, and what to do if your child has an allergic reaction to something.

The type and severity of allergy symptoms vary from allergy to allergy and child to child. Symptoms can range from minor or major seasonal annoyances (for example, from pollen or certain molds) to year-round problems (from allergens like dust mites or food). Because different allergens are more prevalent in different parts of the world, allergy symptoms can also vary depending on where you live. For example, peanut allergy is unknown in Scandinavia, where they don’t eat peanuts, but is common in the United States, where peanuts are not only a popular food, but are also found in many of the things we eat.

Allergy or Sickness?

 The most common and least dangerous allergy symptoms include red and itchy eyes, dark circles under the eyes, stuffy or runny nose, and general fatigue. Unfortunately, these are the same symptoms children display when they are starting to get sick. One way to tell if any of these symptoms is an indication of a virus or an allergy is to notice how quickly the symptoms appear. If a child is exposed to an allergy trigger, the reactive symptoms will become visible almost immediately or within a few hours. In addition, if the child does not have a fever, you should consider the possibility of an allergy.

 Triggers of Allergy Symptoms in Children

 Some obvious triggers are food, pet dander, indoor airborne inhalants such as dust or mold, and outdoor pollens. In these cases, you can often see, or at least identify the cause and connect it to the subsequent symptoms. Sometimes, however, it is more difficult to identify the cause of the symptoms because you may not even be aware that your child has been in the vicinity of the trigger.

Here  I am trying to consolidate the symptoms of common allergies which are triggered by different allergens.

Airborne Allergy Symptoms

Airborne allergens can cause something known as allergic rhinitis, which occurs in about 15% to 20% of Americans. It develops by 10 years of age and reaches its peak in the early twenties, with symptoms often disappearing between the ages of 40 and 60.

Symptoms can include:

• Sneezing
• Itchy nose and/or throat
• Nasal congestion
• Coughing

These symptoms are often accompanied by itchy, watery, and/or red eyes which are called allergic conjunctivitis. (When dark circles are present around the eyes, they’re called allergic “shiners.”) Those who react to airborne allergens usually have allergic rhinitis and/or allergic conjunctivitis. If a person has wheezing and shortness of breath, the allergy may have progressed to become asthma.

Itchy nose is also one of the symptoms usually observed. When a child has a cold, the nose will be stuffy or runny, but usually not accompanied by an itch. If your child is rubbing his nose often, you can be fairly certain that the stuffiness is due to an allergy. Allergies that cause this particular symptom are usually a reaction to airborne allergens such as dust or pollen.

Food Allergy Symptoms

The severity of food allergy symptoms and when they develop depends on:

1. How much of the food is eaten
2. The person’s sensitivity to the food

Symptoms of food allergies can include:

• Itchy mouth and throat when food is swallowed (some kids have only this symptom — called “oral allergy syndrome”)
• Hives (raised, red, itchy bumps)
• Eczematous rash
• Runny, itchy nose
• Abdominal cramps accompanied by nausea and vomiting or diarrhea (as the body attempts to flush out the food allergen)
• Difficulty breathing
• Shock

 

Insect Venom Allergy Symptoms

Being stung by an insect that a child is allergic to may cause some of these symptoms:

• Throat swelling
• Hives over the entire body
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Shock

 

Depending on how severe is the allergy the kind of symptoms varies. Below are the symptoms listed as per severity of the symptoms?

Mild Allergy Symptoms

Mild allergy symptoms can include:

•           Rash

•           Itchy, watery eyes

•           Congestion

Mild allergic reactions do not spread to other parts of the body.

Moderate Allergy Symptoms

Moderate allergic reactions can include symptoms that spread to other parts of the body, including:

•           Itchiness

•           Difficulty breathing

Severe Allergy Symptoms (Anaphylaxis)

Anaphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening emergency in which the body’s response to the allergen is sudden and affects the whole body. In rare instances, if the sensitivity to an allergen is extreme, a child may experience anaphylaxis (or anaphylactic shock) — a sudden, severe allergic reaction involving various systems in the body (such as the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system).

Allergy symptoms may begin with sudden itching of the eyes or face and within few minutes progress to more serious symptoms, including:

• Varying degrees of swellings that can make breathing and swallowing difficult (particularly of the face, throat, lips, and tongue in cases of food allergies)  
• Rapid drop in blood pressure
• Abdominal pain
• Cramps
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Mental confusion or dizziness    
• Unconsciousness
• Hives
• Tightness of the throat
• Hoarse voice
• Lightheadedness

Severe symptoms or reactions to any allergen, from certain foods to insect bites, require immediate medical attention. Also, if there is swelling anywhere around the mouth, such as lips or tongue, you can know that there is danger.

Anaphylaxis can happen just seconds after being exposed to a triggering substance or can be delayed for up to 2 hours if the reaction is from a food. It can involve various areas of the body.

Fortunately, though, severe or life-threatening allergies occur in only a small group of kids. In fact, the annual incidence of anaphylactic reactions is small — about 30 per 100,000 people — although those with asthma, eczema, or hay fever are at greater risk of experiencing them. Most anaphylactic reactions — up to 80% — are caused by peanuts or tree nuts.

Keep the details in mind and Take care !

An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance that’s harmless to most people. But in someone with an allergy, the body’s immune system treats the substance (called an allergen) as an invader and reacts inappropriately, resulting in symptoms that can be anywhere from annoying to possibly harmful to the person.

In an attempt to protect the body, the immune system of the allergic person produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Those antibodies then cause mast cells and basophiles (allergy cells in the body) to release chemicals, including histamine, into the bloodstream to defend against the allergen “invader.”

It’s the release of these chemicals that causes allergic reactions, affecting a person’s eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, or gastrointestinal tract as the body attempts to rid itself of the invading allergen. Future exposure to that same allergen (things like nuts or pollen that you can be allergic to) will trigger this allergic response again. This means every time the person eats that particular food or is exposed to that particular allergen, he or she will have an allergic reaction.

Who Gets Allergies?

The tendency to develop allergies is often hereditary, which means it can be passed down through your genes. However, just because you, your partner, or one of your children might have allergies doesn’t mean that all of your kids will definitely get them, too. And someone usually doesn’t inherit a particular allergy, just the likelihood of having allergies.

But a few kids have allergies even if no family member is allergic. A child who is allergic to one substance is likely to be allergic to others as well.

How the Allergies Progress in Children?

Allergies present in different ways in different age groups. In infants and young children, allergic disease occurs as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or as food allergies. Children with atopic dermatitis are at increased risk of developing allergies and asthma, which are more likely to occur in the toddler years to school-age. This pattern of progression from one form of allergic disease to another is referred to as the “atopic march”. Atopic is a term that physicians use to mean that someone is allergic to various things (foods, environmental triggers such as pollens, molds and pet dander, for example).

Typically Atopic Dermatitis is the earliest manifestation of allergies, is seen in 10 to 20 percent of all children, and frequently seen during infancy. Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is characterized by itching, with rash formation at the sites of scratching. The rash is typically red and dry, may have small blisters, and can flake and ooze over time.

In infants and very young children, this rash involves the face (especially the cheeks), chest and trunk, back of the scalp and may involve the arms and legs. This distribution reflects where the child is able to scratch, and therefore usually spares the diaper area. The location of the rash changes in older children to classically involve the skin in front of the elbows and behind the knees. Food and environmental allergies have been shown to worsen atopic dermatitis.

Common Airborne Allergens

Some of the most common things people are allergic to are airborne (carried through the air):

Dust mites are one of the most common causes of allergies. These microscopic insects live all around us and feed on the millions of dead skin cells that fall off our bodies every day. Dust mites are the main allergic component of house dust, which is made up of many particles and can contain things such as fabric fibers and bacteria, as well as microscopic animal allergens. Dust mites are present year-round in most parts of the United States (although they don’t live at high altitudes), and live in bedding, upholstery, and carpets.

Pollen is another major cause of allergies (most people know pollen allergy as hay fever or rose fever). Trees, weeds, and grasses release these tiny particles into the air to fertilize other plants. Pollen allergies are seasonal, and the type of pollen a child is allergic to determines when symptoms will occur. For example, in the mid-Atlantic states, tree pollination begins in February and lasts through May, grass from May through June, and ragweed from August through October; so people with these allergies are likely to experience increased symptoms during those times.

Pollen counts measure how much pollen is in the air and can help people with allergies determine how bad their symptoms might be on any given day. Pollen counts are usually higher in the morning and on warm, dry, breezy days, whereas they’re lowest when it’s chilly and wet. Although not always exact, the local weather report’s pollen count can be helpful when planning outside activities.

Molds, another common allergen, are fungi that thrive both indoors and out in warm, moist environments. Outdoors, molds may be found in poor drainage areas, such as in piles of rotting leaves or compost piles. Indoors, molds thrive in dark, poorly ventilated places such as bathrooms and damp basements, and in clothes hampers or under kitchen sinks. A musty odor suggests mold growth. Although molds tend to be seasonal, many can grow year-round, especially those indoors.

Pet allergens from warm-blooded animals can cause problems for kids and parents alike. When the animal — often a household pet — licks itself, the saliva gets on its fur or feathers. As the saliva dries, protein particles become airborne and work their way into fabrics in the home. Cats are the worst offenders because the protein from their saliva is extremely tiny and they tend to lick themselves more than other animals as part of grooming. Pet allergens are also present in dander, hair, and urine.

Cockroaches are also a major household allergen, especially in inner cities. Exposure to cockroach-infested buildings may be a major cause of the high rates of asthma in inner-city kids.

Common Food Allergens

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology estimates that up to 2 million, or 8%, of kids in the United States are affected by food allergies, and that eight foods account for most of those food allergy reactions in kids: eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat.

Cow’s milk (or cow’s milk protein). Between 1% and 7.5% of infants are allergic to the proteins found in cow’s milk and cow’s milk-based formulas. About 80% of formulas on the market are cow’s milk-based. Cow’s milk protein allergy (also called formula protein allergy) means that the infant (or child or adult) has an abnormal immune system reaction to proteins found in the cow’s milk used to make standard baby formulas, cheeses, and other milk products. Milk proteins can also be a hidden ingredient in many prepared foods.

Eggs. One of the most common food allergies in infants and young children, egg allergy can pose many challenges for parents. Because eggs are used in many of the foods kids eat — and in many cases they’re “hidden” ingredients — an egg allergy is hard to diagnose. An egg allergy usually begins when kids are very young, but most outgrow the allergy by age 5. Most kids with an egg allergy are allergic to the proteins in egg whites, but some can’t tolerate proteins in the yolk.

Seafood and shellfish. The proteins in seafood can cause a number of different types of allergic reactions. Seafood allergy is one of the more common adult food allergies and one that you don’t always grow out of.

Peanuts and tree nuts. Peanuts are one of the most severe food allergens, often causing life-threatening reactions. About 1.5 million people in the United States are allergic to peanuts. (Peanuts are not a true nut, but a legume — in the same family as peas and lentils, although people with peanut allergy don’t usually have cross-reactions to other legumes). Half of those allergic to peanuts are also allergic to tree nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, and often sunflower and sesame seeds. Like seafood allergy, peanut allergy is one you don’t always grow out of.

Soy. Like peanuts, soybeans are legumes. Soy allergy is more prevalent among babies than older children; about 30% to 40% of infants who are allergic to cow’s milk are also allergic to the protein in soy formulas. Soy proteins, such as soya, are often a hidden ingredient in prepared foods.

Wheat. Wheat proteins are found in many of the foods we eat — some are more obvious than others. As with any allergy, an allergy to wheat can happen in different ways and to different degrees. Although wheat allergy is often confused with celiac disease, there is a difference. Celiac disease is caused by sensitivity to gluten, which is found in wheat, oat, rye, and barley. It typically develops between 6 months and 2 years of age and the sensitivity causes damage to the small intestine in a different way to the usual allergic reaction.

Nuts are a common allergen among children and they can cause one of the more severe, even life-threatening allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis. Only about 6 percent of all children have clinically diagnosed food allergies. This number is rather small, but food intolerance, which presents itself much like a food allergy, adds to the public perception that this is a major issue. While the medical difference is quite different, the solution to a food allergy and intolerance is to remove the culprit food from you or your child’s diet.

Food allergies can be very dangerous and early detection is critical to managing them and the health of your child. Any family history of food allergies should be discussed between you and your spouse and with your healthcare provider prior to introducing solid foods to your baby. Food allergies or food intolerances can occur even if there is no previous family history of such. As you introduce your child to new foods, you should present them one at a time and watch for any changes in your child’s appearance or behavior. Some common symptoms of food allergies/intolerances include:

* Rashes or eczema, especially on the face

* Diaper rash

* Hives

* Runny nose, watery eyes or sneezing

* Diarrhea, gas or vomiting

* Irritability

* Temperament changes

* Puffy eyes

* Nasal congestion

One way to prevent food allergies is not to introduce commonly-known allergenic foods until later in your baby’s life, at one, two or even three-years-old. This approach is referred to as “delayed introduction.” The foods that children react to are those foods they eat often. The most common food allergens that cause problems in children are eggs, milk, peanuts, soy and wheat. A few more allergic foods include:

* Artificial colors and preservatives

* Berries

* Chocolate

* Citrus fruits

* Tomatoes

* Yeast

Fortunately, most allergic reactions in babies are temporary and the culprit foods can usually be reintroduced when the child is older. Food allergies can be very serious, so it is important to follow the advice that is given to you by a healthcare professional.

Other Common Allergens

Insect stings. For most kids, being stung by an insect means swelling, redness, and itching at the site of the bite. But for those with insect venom allergy, an insect bite can cause more severe symptoms. Although some doctors and parents have believed that most kids eventually outgrow insect venom allergy, a recent study found that insect venom allergies often persist into adulthood. An allergy evaluation is needed if wheezing and other signs of anaphylaxis are present after an insect sting or bite.

Medicines. Antibiotics — medications used to treat infections — are the most common types of medicines that cause allergic reactions. Many other medicines, including over-the-counter medications, can also cause allergic reactions. If you suspect a medicine allergy, talk to your doctor first before assuming a reaction is a sign of allergy.

Chemicals. Some cosmetics or laundry detergents can cause people to break out in an itchy rash. Usually, this is because someone has a reaction to the chemicals in these products. Dyes, household cleaners, and pesticides used on lawns or plants can also cause allergic reactions in some people.

Some kids also have what are called cross-reactions. For example, kids who are allergic to birch pollen might have reactions when they eat an apple because that apple is made up of a protein similar to one in the pollen. Another example is that kids who are allergic to latex (as in gloves or certain types of hospital equipment) are more likely to be allergic to kiwifruit, water chestnuts, or bananas.

As a parent, hearing your child cough may make you feel uneasy, yet an occasional cough doesn’t always mean there is a problem. Cough protects your child’s body by removing mucus, irritating substances and infections from his or her respiratory tract.

Children can cough several times a day and have coughing episodes lasting up to a couple of weeks if they have viral infections. However, coughing that lasts more than two to three weeks should prompt a visit to your physician.

If you are a parent of a child with allergies, you know how hard it can be on him or her (not to mention on you). Millions of children have seasonal allergies, perennial (year-round) allergies, or both. Children sometimes cannot (or do not) tell you about their allergy symptoms. There are, however, some signs you may notice that could mean your child has allergies.

Does your child have any of the following symptoms?

• A frequent congested, runny, or itchy nose
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Frequent breathing through the mouth
• Pushing up on the nose with his or her hands (especially younger children)
• Recurrent ear problems

A congested, itchy, runny nose and sneezing are common symptoms of indoor and outdoor nasal allergies, also called indoor and outdoor allergic rhinitis (rye-NITE-iss) or hay fever. These symptoms can affect your child’s everyday life. That’s why it is so important to talk to your child’s doctor about allergy symptoms and allergy treatments.

Many are surprised to learn that in children, a persistent or recurring cough can be the main or only symptom of a nasal allergy. But there can be other symptoms present or not present depending on individual cases. Here are some helpful distinguishing features of a “Nasal Allergy Cough”:

 A “Nasal Allergy Cough” usually worsens when there is a body change position, for example upon lying down or getting up in the morning. Once the child is asleep, the cough usually stops. An asthmatic cough usually occurs in the middle of the night after a child has fallen asleep.

 A “Nasal Allergy Cough” can occur with exercise. The nasal cough tends to occur at the beginning of the activity whereas an asthmatic cough tends to occur towards the end or after physical activity.

 A “Nasal Allergy Cough” does not improve with asthma puffers, but may get better with antibiotics. In some case there nasal secretions become infected resulting in a sinus infection, making the cough worse. Antibiotics in this circumstance will make the cough go away or improve but have no effect on asthma.

How do we diagnose a nasal allergy in children?

First, we need to be aware that children can suffer from nasal allergies too. Specifically, by looking for the features mentioned above and examining a child’s nose, we can usually confirm the presence of a nasal allergy. A positive family history of allergies also helps make the diagnosis.

What is the treatment of nasal allergies?

This depends on the child’s age and specific situation, but is based on identifying what the child is allergic to and getting rid of it. The most common causes are dust mites, pet dander, mold, pollens and cigarette smoke. In terms of medications, this ranges from antihistamines taken by mouth to the very effective cortisone based nasal sprays.

The main treatment for chronic cough should be based on the underlying cause. This search for the cause usually involves visiting your physician. Also visit your physician if your child’s cough is increasingly frustrating, persists longer than you think is reasonable, if blood is coughed up or if the cough interferes with your child’s daily activities.

A running nose refers to a condition where fluid is flowing out of the nose continuously. This fluid tends to be quite thin and contains some mucus in it. Fluid is expelled from the nose when there is a buildup of fluid in the nasal cavity. This build up is caused by an infection or irritant being present in the area. When there is an infection or irritant, the body responds by producing a mucus fluid. This fluid is designed to wash away the infection or the irritant. This sort of fluid tends to form in the nose when there is an irritant. It can also form in the eyes, but this fluid will not have any mucus in it.

 A running nose can also be a result of some sort of allergy. If an individual has come into contact with an allergen, then the nose might start running in order to get rid of the allergen from the system. This reaction may be accompanied by some itching on the skin or in the nose. This is a common reaction to a pollen allergy that tends to occur during the season when plants are reproducing. Pollen gets carried into the air and is then blown about until it reaches a suitable plant to produce new fruit and seeds. This airborne dust and pollen can cause a running nose.

 The best relief for a runny nose is to help the body by gently blowing the nose at regular intervals. However, excessive blowing can irritate the outside of the nose and make it tender and sore.

There are some home remedies for running nose in children. Children may be more susceptible to running nose as their immune system is not necessarily as well developed as an adult’s would be. It is also possible that the child is exposed to many more allergens and infections as children tend to be uninhibited when they play in areas where it is possible for infections and dirt to come into contact with the child’s body. A running nose could also be caused by a viral infection that has affected the membranes in the nose.

 The important thing to remember is that a runny nose is different than nasal congestion and should not be treated with a decongestant unless a doctor recommends it.

 Check following home remedies for running nose in children.

1. Garlic Necklace: Among the home remedies for running nose in children, the use of a garlic necklace may be advisable. A garlic necklace can be placed over the child’s neck while he or she is sleeping. During the night, the odor of the garlic will gradually waft into the nose and this helps with cold like symptoms and can reduce inflammations in the nasal cavity.

 2. Medicated Rub: The use of a medicated rub on the chest and nose of the child is also popular among home remedies for running nose in children.

 3. Saline sprays or rinses: Saline sprays or rinses are another option for alleviating the irritation that accompanies a runny nose. Saline nasal sprays are available over the counter and help thin the mucus, making it easier and more comfortable to expel. Saline sprays also help rid the nasal passages of irritants. You can also make your own saline solution by dissolving one-fourth of a teaspoon of salt in 2 cups of warm water. Using a rubber suction bulb, place a few drops in each nostril.

 4. Humidifier: Consider using a humidifier if the air inside your home is dry as dry air also thickens mucus.

 5. Lemon juice: Citric acid present in lemon is a very effective element in curing runny nose. The vitamin C-rich lemon juice improves the body’s immunity and reduces the level of toxic substances in the body. This in a way reduces the period of suffering and further enables recovery. A glass of warm water with two table spoons of lemon juice is one of the most effective cures for runny nose and sneezing. To make the solution more palatable 1 teaspoon of honey can also be added. This solution can be taken one to two times on a day and should be repeated till the symptom of runny nose persists. Also this helps in curing the running nose fast.

6. Recipes with Garlic: Garlic is the most commonly available and safe medicinal herb. The medicinal properties of garlic have been used to cure runny nose at home. It has some great scientifically proven medicinal, antiseptic, antispasmodic and anti-bacterial properties. A garlic soup preparation which is taken once or twice in a day is a runny nose treatment which has been tried and tested several times.

The preparation of the soup is very simple. In a pan, take one cup of water, boil the water slightly and then add around three to four cloves of finely chopped garlic along with a teaspoon of onion juice and a pinch of salt. This on consumption for at least twice in a day clears up the respiratory passage and washes the toxins away. Thus bringing down the body temperature and curing runny nose naturally.  This has been very useful to cure running nose naturally.

7. Remedy using Ginger: Ginger is a tuber with vast medicinal virtues and can be used as a runny nose remedy.  Finely cut ginger added in the morning tea can be an effective way to cure cold and fever. Clear chicken soup with about ten grams of chopped ginger can be runny nose treatment for kids.

Another way of preparing decoction using ginger is adding some ginger and a teaspoon of sugar to boiling water and then having that two to three times a day. A point to note here is that the mixture should be had when hot.

Following are few tips that can help in restricting running nose symptoms:

• Boil water. Add some vaporizer or carom seeds in it. Carefully make your child breathe over a container of boiling water to clear her nasal passage and separate the mucus. Take care to keep safe distance and protect her hands and legs from getting burnt.
• Limit the consumption of dairy products as they are more mucus forming. But don’t completely eliminate it from the diet. Consumption of fluids should be increased in the form of boiled water, vegetable soups or broths.
• Always have these hot and keep the temperature of the preparations you make high, as this is the key to fighting off a cold and a runny nose. Avoid any kind of cold liquid intake. Avoid spicy, oily or fried, carbonated beverages and sodas as far as possible.
• Passive smoke inhalation will worsen the infection, so avoid smoking around him as far as possible.

If your child’s runny nose lasts more than two weeks, there’s a good chance it’s caused by an allergic condition. An obvious clue is if he constantly rubs the tip of his nose with his palm in an upward fashion- what some doctors refer to as the allergic salute. Other signs include intense sneezing, burning, itchy and watery eyes, and bluish circles under the eyes (known as allergic shiners).

Another possible cause of runny nose in children under two is an allergy to a food such as cow’s milk. Five percent of all babies have cow’s milk sensitivity, which can cause nasal allergy, asthma, colic, vomiting, diarrhea and skin rashes. When milk is removed from their diets and a formula with low allergy potential is substituted, often the runny nose and other symptoms vanish. But this change in diet should only be made with a doctor’s recommendation.

 Medical Alert –

If you have an infant, you should contact your doctor if your baby’s runny nose is accompanied by a fever, or if it prevents him from eating or drinking

For an older child, check with the doctor if his runny nose is accompanied by coughing or a fever of 103° or more. If the nasal discharge persists beyond two weeks, or the mucus is yellowish or has a strong odor, you’ll also need to check with a physician. Color, odor to the cough can all indicate an infection that should be treated with antibiotics.