MANILA, Philippines - Runny nose? Watery eyes? Angry, red rashes that only get much worse when scratched? Most of us get so used to having allergies that these symptoms are nothing more than just small, bothersome inconveniences of life. What most of us don’t realize, however, is that when children get allergies, these symptoms and the discomfort are compounded because they don’t have as strong an immune system as adults do. And since kids have a difficult time trying to keep from scratching, rashes are aggravated and their skin breaks, causing wounds and cuts, which might get infected.
There are a lot of ways to treat our children’s allergies. But the surefire way to make sure that your kids don’t suffer from allergies is to get rid of the source of allergies — from dust mites and pollen to irritating substances such as harsh perfumes and the strong chemicals found in household products. Parents, take note of these tips:
• Keep your home clean and dust-free. To prevent dust mites from invading your home, be sure to dust and clean your bedroom, living room, and kitchen at least once a week. Ideally, beddings and sheets should also be changed once a week and washed in warm water to prevent dust mites from inhabiting your kids’ beds. Likewise, clean your carpets, curtains, and blinds regularly.
• De-clutter your home. Small knick-knacks can gather dust and cause allergies. As much as possible, don’t keep small knick-knacks in your child’s bedroom if they can’t be dusted at least once a week. Toys, books, and other items can be stored in covered plastic bins or toy chests to prevent them from collecting dust.
• Keep pets out of your child’s bedroom. Animal hair can cause certain allergies and even asthma. If you have pets indoors, vacuum your home regularly to get rid of animal hair that can stick to sofas, beds, chairs, etc. It’s also best to tell your child that his bedroom is off-limits to pets.
• Keep allergy-causing food out of your child’s reach. Many children have food-related allergies and when triggered, a severe allergic reaction to these foods may even be life-threatening. Peanuts are one type of food that children are commonly allergic to. If your child is allergic to peanuts, keep these and peanut-derived products in shelves that are too high for them to reach.
• Use hypoallergenic household products. Studies show that harsh perfumes or chemicals found in most soaps, detergents, and fabric softeners are the most common causes of allergies in infants and kids. Furthermore, these studies show that 95 percent of the chemicals used as fragrance for common household items are synthetic products, which can trigger allergic reactions. Babies, especially those who have sensitive skin, can develop severe rashes from clothing washed in regular detergents and fabric softeners. Learn to read labels to ensure they don’t contain potential irritants and look for the hypoallergenic seal.
Del Hypoallergenic Fabric Softener, the latest addition to Del’s line, is the first and only mild, hypoallergenic fabric softener in the country that has been proven to be safe for kids and babies. Use this Del variant not only for clothes but also for beddings, sheets, and even curtains.