Get Healthy with Tina

Children and Allergies

Allergies appear to be very popular at this time of year, I have had several clients in the clinic, so I thought I would share some tips with you.

Allergies involve a reaction in the immune system, and can present in a variety of forms.

Classified Allergic Symptoms of Infants

• Excessive vomiting, discomfort after feeding

• Prolonged or severe colic

• Undigested food in faeces

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Stuffy nose, nasal mucus, wheeze or rattly chest. Mouth breathing

• Drools or perspires excessively

• Glue ear

• Frequent infections

• Head bangs

• Abnormal sleep pattern

• Hyper/hypo activity

Allergic Symptoms of Children

• History of hayfever, asthma, swollen glands, frequent cold/infections

• Frequent headaches, stomach aches

• Growing pains

• Clingy, depressed and withdrawn

• Suffers mood swings, tantrums

• Short attention span, learning difficulties

• Facial pallor, dark circles under eyes

• Difficult to toilet train

• Skin rashes, eczema, spots, itchy skin

• Craves certain food

• Diarrhea/constipation

• Sweating

• Fumes or odours affect in some way or are enjoyed.

Obviously not every one is affected in the same way. Whilst some food reactions can cause severe immediate results, such as ingestion of eggs, peanuts other foods can have a delayed reaction, as they are slowly ingested.

Testing

RAST testing is a skin prick test, often ordered by your GP, is looking for an immediate response to a variety of foods, grasses and pollens.

HAIR testing, looks for a delayed reaction to foods, additives and environmental irritants. It is popular with Naturopath’s and can pick up all many of intolerances. It is suitable for all ages, with only a teaspoon of cut hair needed. I routinely use this in my practice and offer a Hair allergy test and half hour naturopathic consultation for $115.00

Treatment

Dietary recommendations are always given, if food is eliminated it is very important to offer the individual appropriate replacement foods. What we eat is very important to our health, food is fuel for our bodies, and if we give it the right food, performance will be so much improved. Sometimes supplements are indicated, having good gut bacterial is naturopathically very important.