Why do some children develop allergies? As with nearly every human trait, there is a genetic component and an environmental component.
If both parents have allergies, there's a good chance that their child will develop allergies. Since we cannot control genetics, we focus on the
same things as with adult allergies - our environment.
One popular theory behind the environmental side of allergies, the "hygiene hypothesis," states that a lack of early childhood exposure to germs increases the likelihood of developing
allergic disease. As a young immune system develops, it must learn what to attack and what to leave alone. Pollen, for instance,
does not present a threat to the body; however, some children become sensitive to pollen because, according to the hygiene
hypothesis, their immune system did not have a chance to develop properly.
Children who grow up in ultra-clean environments and never "play in the dirt" are at greater risk of developing allergies
and asthma; that's why allergies are more prevalent in modern societies. On the other hand, children who grow up on farms
rarely develop allergic diseases. Children in our society have been spending more and more time indoors, sealed off from nature.
Some researchers suggests that a lack of sunlight plays a role in the development of allergies.
Does this mean that you should stop cleaning your child's room, or send him or her to live in the backyard? Of course not!
But your child would likely benefit by spending more time outdoors in nature, playing in the dirt, exercising, and breathing
in fresh air. Over the past 50 years, not only have we started spending more time indoors, but our buildings have also
changed. Homes and offices now have extremely tight seals for energy efficiency. These tight seals trap indoor pollutants
inside, creating stale indoor air that's ten to a hundred times more polluted than outdoor air.
While it's important for children to play outdoors, it's equally important to keep their home environment clean and free of
allergens. Allergies can only develop after repeated exposure to an allergen, so if your home contains large amounts of mold, dust,
or cockroach allergen, then you're very likely putting your child at risk.
We recommend placing a HEPA air purifier in your child's bedroom
and covering the bed with allergy bedding. Allergy bedding should be
your first step in the prevention and treatment of child allergy; these zippered pillow and mattress covers prevent dust mites
from living in the bed, and they also block other allergens like mold, pet dander, pollen, and cockroach allergen. A HEPA air purifier
has long reaching health benefits. Recent studies have shown that HEPA air purifiers can lead to improved cardiovascular health, and
there is a wealth of data supporting them as a way to noticeably reduce levels of indoor air pollution in the home.
Infant Allergy - Baby Allergy
A sick infant is a parent's worst nightmare. Keep your baby away from the harmful and toxic chemicals found in common bedding
by creating a healthy nursery with the Starlight Support Crib Mattress and
an air purifier like the Austin Air Baby's Breath,
available in pink or blue. Moonlight Slumber crib, infant and toddler mattresses provide support and protection against common allergens without
the harmful glues and treatments found in modern textiles. The Baby's Breath features true HEPA filtration, capturing 99.97% of all particle 0.3
microns. As an added bonus, the white noise from this air purifier may also help your baby sleep.
If you are looking for organic baby bedding, Pure-Rest
makes several bedding products that are ideal for a nursery.
Organic crib mattresses,
organic crib blankets, and
organic comforters are great for your children, or perfect to give as gifts.
Many infants have problems with eczema or dry skin. A humidifier
should help tremendously by restoring moisture back into your indoor air and creating a more comfortable indoor climate. If your baby has
sensitive skin, try Vanicream skin cream recommended by dermatologists and
is safe and effective for children as well as adults.
Household chemicals can cause serious damage to a young immune system. Instead of spraying toxic chemicals into your child's
room, clean with safe, all-natural EcoDiscoveries Nursery Cleaner. This
enzyme based cleaner will clean without the chlorine or ammonia. Try Vital Oxide as a
safe, non-toxic alternative to traditional cleaners. And unlike your ammonia based glass cleaner or chlorine based bathroom or mold cleaner,
Vital Oxide is a tested and EPA registered disinfectant and sanitizer. There is little odor, but wide variety of uses!
Child Asthma
Asthma is the most prevalent chronic condition among children and is the most common cause of
hospitalization for children under 15. Over nine million children have been diagnosed with asthma, and they miss nearly
15 million school days a year due to asthma. It is imperative that asthmatic children take their medication as
prescribed and learn about their asthma triggers. You can
help them avoid asthma triggers by preventing the build-up of allergens in the home.
Children need special asthma treatment equipment like the
PARI Vios Pediatric Nebulizer. Some equipment, such as the
Ducky masks for the PARI Vortex and the
Bubbles Mask for the PARI Nebulizer, can make asthma
treatment more bearable for children by reducing the clinical feel that most asthma treatment equipment can have.
Child Food Allergy
Young children cannot understand a life-threatening food allergy, and often cannot communicate that danger to others.
Food Allergy T-Shirts let everyone know about the
child's allergy. As with any life-threatening allergy, an auto-injector (EpiPen) is essential to your child's safety. Your child should have
access to an EpiPen at all times. The
Protectube protects auto-injectors from the elements, while the
Ana-Tote and the
Ana-Tote Twin case make it easy to carry them anywhere. Convenient belts
and snaps allow kids to take them wherever they go.
Child Sinus Care
Rinsing the nose with saline (salt water) is a popular, effective at-home treatment for sinus problems. Saline washes away
allergens like pollen and mold spores, that can irritate the sinuses and cause allergic reactions like sneezing and congestion. Nasal
flushing also washes away germs, and this natural treatment is safe for children and adults alike. There are a variety of neti pots and rinses that are
simple, easy to mix and easy for children and kids to use. And beginning early, particularly with a child who suffers from
seasonal allergies, will help ensure a more consistent good habit later on.
Allergy Toys
Your child's favorite toy can house thousands of dust mites. We recommend washable toys, like
Gund Stuffed Animals. Wash toys in hot water weekly to
kill dust mites. If you already have an old stuffed animal that you absolutely cannot throw out or wash, place it in the freezer
overnight to kill dust mites.
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