| Q. |
Are
allergies inherited? If I have allergies will my children have
them too?
|
| A. |
The
inheritance of allergy is complex and dependent on many factors,
but the tendency to become allergic is inherited in many families.
The crude rule of thumb is that if both parents have allergic disease,
there is a 50% chance a child will have some allergy, only one parent,
a 25% chance.
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|
|
| Q. |
Can
young children be allergic to airborne allergens? |
| A. |
Although
theyare not "born" with such allergies they can quickly
form IgE, the allergicantibody, to substances to which they have
heavy exposure...such as milk.Usually the child has to live through
several seasons before becoming allergic
to pollens, but may become allergic to household substances such
as
dust mite, animal hair, etc. even sooner.
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|
|
| Q. |
My
child has chronic sinus problems and now the doctor recommends adenoidectomy.
I don't understand this.
|
| A. |
The
posterior pharyngeal area contains openings from several sinuses,
as well as the Eustacian tube which leads to the middle ear. That
is where the adenoids enlarge and occasionally they are chronically
infected. This may lead to repeated rhinitis with purulent drainage,
which may be mistaken for "sinus problems" or they may
serve as a focus of infection which does not completely clear and
leads to reinfection of the ear or sinuses.
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|
|
| Q. |
I
have a number of food and environmental allergies and I am pregnant
for the first time. Is it likely that my newborn will have allergies? |
| A. |
There
is some increased tendency for allergy to develop in offspring of
allergic parents, but it is not invariable. Although there is no definitive
proof, many would recommend that you avoid the most allergenic foods
such as milk, wheat, soy, eggs during the pregnancy and breast feed
if at all possible. Of course, you should not allow smoking in the
home. |
|
|
| Q. |
I have heard that newborn babies have less developed immune systems.
Is there anything I can do to prevent my child growing up to have
allergies? |
| A. |
Most
doctors agree that breast feeding is best. The newborn does not
have IgA which is a first like defense mechanism in the intestinal
and respiratory tract for several months. Avoidance of cigarette
smoke and delaying introduction of foods may be helpful...especially
highly allergenic foods like eggs.
|
|
|
| Q. |
Do
Children "outgrow" allergies? |
| A. |
Many children do improve as they get older particularly from atopic
dermatitis
(an allergic skin rash) which seems to improve at around age 4. However,
new allergies can develop at any age, and many who improve actually
"relapse" or develop new allergies later. Therefore, it
makes sense
to continue the precautions that have been recommended by your doctor,
within reason. Also, a child can suffer many years while waiting to
"outgrow" the problem. |
|
|
| Q. |
If
my two year old always seems to have a runny nose could it be allergies
that are causing the problem? |
| A. |
Yes, that is a common presentation of allergic disease, especially
if the nasal discharge is usually clear, or if the child sneezes or
rubs his nose. |
|
|
| Q. |
My
three year old daughter has constant colds and ear infections. What
do I do for that? Do I see an allergist, and ENT or both? |
| A. |
Hopefully,
either that you start will be aware that allergy could be a contributing
factor. Certainly allergy tests can be done by age three with very
little distress to the child and may provide great benefit in identifying
foods or household substances that may be avoided. Allergy shots
are rarely needed at that age. |
|
|
| Q. |
Ever
since my 18 month old toddler has entered day care he gets ear infections
about once every three weeks. We have been treating it with antibiotics
but I am really concerned about the amount of medication he is taking.
Is there anything else we can do? |
| A. |
The
likelihood is that the child is having frequent viral infections because
of the increased exposure, and is having secondary bacterial infections.
You and your physician need to be sure that the ear infection has
really cleared with the short course of antibiotics that are usually
prescribed. Although there are not double blind studies to prove it,
I find that a small dose of decongestant on a regular basis can be
helpful. If you are an allergic family, then allergy evaluation may
be considered. Occasionally prophylactic antibiotics are used especially
during the winter months when viral infections are most common. |
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|
|
Hope
this helps!
Betty
B. Wray, M.D.
Medical College of Georgia
Allergy Immunology Section
CJ-141 Augusta, GA 30912
Phone (706) 721-3531
Fax (706) 721-2527
E-mail
Betty Wray MD at BettyW@mail.mcg.edu Dr
Wray practices and teaches allergy in Augusta, Ga. For more
information about Dr. Wray visit her
bio.
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