Overview
Children with allergies
You are not alone! If your child suffers from allergies, they do so in common with 40% of Australian children. The most common are food, eczema and hayfever.
Genetics appears to play a part, because if both parents suffer from allergies, there’s a 50-70% chance that their children will too. The risk is less if only one parent suffers, but it’s still higher than if neither parent has ever had allergies.
Preventing allergies
In searching for ways to curb the growth of allergies, research has revealed a number of risk factors that may increase the chances of having allergies. These include:
► A family history of allergic disease (parent or sibling)
► The introduction of cow/soy milk before 6 months of age
► The introduction of solid food before 6 months of age
► Birth in spring (this appears to increase the risk of seasonal hayfever)
► Exposure to cigarette smoke (this appears to increase the risk of respiratory symptoms)
► Exposure to dust mites and food allergens in the first 6 months of life (which may also lead to asthma)
Read about:
Symptoms in children