An allergy is actually a human body’s immune response to something in the environment which is known as an allergen.

When somebody with some allergy gets into contact with the allergy creating substance i.e. allergen, the body tends to release some chemicals which are visible to us in the form of symptoms like vomiting, running nose, sneezing, coughing, choking, breathlessness, itching, rashes, swelling, fever, red eyes, etc.

Explaining to your kid what is an allergy

A simple explanation for what's an allergy and how can change according to the particular type of allergy based on the age of your child. You should not mention the word allergy until the time your child is old enough to understand what an allergy could mean. Mentioning to your child that you have an “Allergy” to “Something” could shatter them and can leave them emotionally broken. The word “Allergy” could then can become a synonym for “Monster” in their life. So you must patiently take up this charge to introduce him to his allergy.

For an instance, a child with peanut allergy, you can explain them like “ eating peanut or peanut butter can tighten up your throat and breathlessness can take you to the hospital, you have so many other things to eat, but don’t eat peanuts”.

The above example is good to explain to a toddler, but you can give more practical information to an adolescent or a teenager.

You can explain about their allergy and how it can harm their body. You can also tell them what to do in case they accidentally get in touch with an allergen.

The approach changes with the understanding capacity of the child, while providing all information to a smaller one could be harmful, yet hiding any information from the older ones could also be detrimental for the child’s well being.

How to prevent allergy, what should be avoided

An allergy can only be prevented, if you know the root cause of it and should not come in contact with that cause. Every allergy has a different cause and needs to be dealt with specialized care. While some can be totally avoided by not coming in contact with them but some couldn’t be avoided because they are an integral part of the atmosphere or the surroundings. You can do nothing in such cases, except to take precautions.

For preschoolers and toddlers, you have to teach your child the basics before first school day. You have to inform the authorities and the class teachers beforehand. Also the medication and ways to deal with the child in critical situations should also be taught.

But for the older children, you can provide them with emergency numbers and prescribed medicines to get away with the emergency situation.

For example, a situation like asthma attack needs a quick assistance and aid to be dealt with.

Also, a parent, have to be strong enough to face the problems due to their child’s allergy and should not feel bad about them. For raising an emotionally strong child to face the world with all they have needs to have courage - both for the parent and the child.

How to react to an allergy situation

The child could get emotional or frustrated sometimes when not allowed to have that particular food or drink. But you have to be really empathetic with them in such situations.

For an older child, you can go ahead by saying “ it's okay to feel sad as you are not allowed to eat that food but its pivotal for your well - being.

For a toddler, you can extend your help by saying, “it's not good to eat that food, see mommy also refrains it”

You can train their mind by teaching them to abstain from consuming the allergy-causing food. Simply tell them to repeat some lines like “ “THIS” harms my body, and in order to protect my body, I will never give it anything which is not good for it”

We all try to protect our child in a best possible way, but we really have to deal with great patience and understanding if our child has allergies. Some allergies are fatal and life-threatening too, but some need to watched under supervision. We all have different homework to do when it comes to introducing our children to their allergies. Its obvious parenting becomes bit tedious task when you have to deal with child allergies too. But these are part and parcels of life. One cannot avoid them but can find a best possible way to deal with them. Adopting the positive and constructive approach is the key.

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