Uninvited guests who came in the spring breeze, beware of childhood allergies...Symptoms vary by age
Mar 21, 2025
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Professor Park Yoo-mi of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents at the Catholic University of Korea's Incheon St. Mary's Hospital said, `Child allergic diseases come in various forms depending on age. Food allergies and atopic dermatitis are common in newborns and infants, and after that, it shows the form of an `Allergic March' leading to asthma and allergic rhinitis, he said. `Recently, the number of children suffering from allergic diseases is increasing due to environmental pollution and changes in eating habits.'
◇ Symptoms vary by age for children allergic diseases
Allergic diseases are mainly caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. In particular, immunity decreases during the change of seasons, and symptoms can be worsened by external stimuli such as pollen, yellow dust, and fine dust.
Food allergies caused by food are the main problems in infancy, and can cause skin rashes, hives, and even breathing difficulties in severe cases. Atopic dermatitis is also common, accompanied by itching and dry skin.
Asthma is more likely to appear in the lower grades of kindergarten and elementary school. Asthma mainly shows symptoms such as chronic cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing, which can be confused with a cold. An accurate diagnosis is needed. Allergic rhinitis usually appears in the upper grades of elementary school and is accompanied by symptoms such as repeated sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, and itchy eyes.
◇ Allergic diseases for children, prevention and management?
To prevent allergic diseases in children, it is important to create an appropriate environment. The basic management method is to minimize allergens such as house dust mites, pollen, and pet hair.
For a clean indoor environment, it is helpful to minimize dust indoors and reduce props made of carpet or cloth. It is recommended to use air purifiers and wash bedding frequently to suppress the reproduction of house dust mites. Diet control is also important. If food allergies are suspected, the causative food should be identified and alternative nutrients should be consumed through specialist counseling.
On days with a lot of pollen, refrain from going out, and make sure to wash your hands, wash your face, and change your clothes after going out. Accurate diagnosis and treatment are also needed. The exact cause of allergies should be identified through blood tests or skin reaction tests, and antihistamines, steroid treatment, and immunotherapy should be considered as necessary.
◇ Immunotherapy, a new alternative to pediatric allergy treatment
In recent years, immunotherapy has attracted attention as an effective management method for allergic diseases in children. Allergic immunotherapy is a method of gradually adapting the immune system by administering a small amount of allergen that causes it, and long-term effects can be expected. In fact, the effect has been proven in allergic rhinitis and asthma, and research results have been reported to have a positive effect on atopic dermatitis.
Professor Park Yoo-mi emphasized, "Child allergic diseases are often left unattended because they think they will improve on their own over time." "However, if proper diagnosis and treatment are not made, symptoms may become chronic or develop into other allergic diseases, requiring specialized management."
"Allergic diseases are often difficult to cure once they develop, so constant management is essential," he said. "In particular, in the case of pediatric patients, careful attention and active treatment from parents are required as they can affect growth and development."
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
