Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/supporting-children-with-asthma-and-allergies/5024380/
As a pediatrician and a mom of three kids, there are a few life-threatening medical emergencies that affect infants and young children that raise my pulse. Many parents and child care providers are scared of accidents such as choking and ingestion of medications or harmful substances, but respiratory distress and allergic reactions can be life-threatening and require our diligent attention.
There are many children in childcare facilities and family child care programs who carry a diagnosis of allergies and asthma, which is also called reactive airway disease in young children. Allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) are an immune system hypersensitivity to a particular substance, or allergen. An allergen can be a substance in an environment or food. For many allergic individuals, exposure to an allergen results in mild symptoms. But some reactions result in dangerous symptoms, including breathing difficulty, drops in blood pressure and shock.
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that involves ongoing management. Asthma may require periodic treatment to lessen the severity of inflammation and irritation to the lungs. Fortunately, adherence to controller medication can prevent life threatening breathing difficulties.
A child’s pediatrician can help with the diagnosis and treatment of asthma and allergies, but parents and child care providers play ...