Child Allergy and Asthma Products

Children are among the fastest growing segment of allergy sufferers. While there continues to be debate over the causes of child allergies, once your child is diagnosed, there are a variety of things you can do to prevent allergic reactions and better control your child's environment.

Development of Child Allergies

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, particularly food allergies and skin conditions like eczema.

Because there are so many variables, there is no single study that says definitively that shows hygiene to be a cause of allergy development, but there are increasing numbers of studies that support this theory.

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.

Reducing Child Allergies and Asthma

We recommend a HEPA air purifier in your child's bedroom and covering the bed with allergy bedding as two basic measures to improve indoor air quality and limit exposure to harmful or reaction causing agents. For children diagnosed with dust mite allergies or asthma, allergy bedding should be your first step in limiting children's allergies or asthma; 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. We find that Vital Oxide is a safe, non-toxic alternative to traditional chemical 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 virtually no 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 child masks for the PARI Vortex can make asthma treatment more bearable for children by reducing the clinical feel that most asthma treatments 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 Ana-Tote and the Ana-Tote Twin cases 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. 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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