Are you aware of allergies?
ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE A BABY? DO YOU OR MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY SUFFER FROM ALLERGIES OR HAVE YOU SUFFERED IN THE PAST? WELL, THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW, EVEN BEFORE ANY ALLERGIES APPEAR, TO PREVENT YOUR BABY FROM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.
UNDERSTANDING ALLERGIES FOR BETTER PREVENTION What is an allergy? An allergy is an excessive reaction by the human organism to foreign substances. An allergy produces an imbalance in the immune system. We talk of "hypersensitivity" to describe the way the body overreacts to certain substances, called allergens. In order to defend itself, the organism produces antibodies (IgE) and releases histamines, one of the substances responsible for the symptoms of the allergy. The major signs of an allergy are respiratory problems (rhinitis, asthma, etc.), skin problems (eczema, hives, etc.) and digestive problems (vomiting, diarrhoea, etc.). Do our genes influence our risk of allergies? Our genetic inheritance is very important in terms of allergies. A child whose parents have a history of allergies runs a 30% risk of developing an allergy him or herself. If both Mum and Dad suffer from allergies, the risk is even greater (50 to 60%). And this risk is higher still if both parents suffer from the same allergy (asthma, eczema, etc.). In several cases, therefore, it is possible to determine which children will be at risk of allergies before the birth.
Can action be taken as soon as the child is born? Measures can be taken as soon as a child is born to prevent or limit the allergies from which the baby might suffer. As allergies are linked to the environment and lifestyle of the sufferer, it is possible to delay and even prevent medical symptoms by protecting the baby from early and repeated contact with the main allergens. When does a child become allergic and why is it so important to act right from birth? There is no set age for allergies to appear. It can happen as early as during the first few weeks of life. When a child becomes sensitised, this means that the immune system has come into contact with an antigen and has produced specific antibodies to defend itself. And if this contact is repeated later on, the organism will recognise the intruder and react against it immediately. This is what provokes the allergic reaction. And the more often a child comes into contact with the allergen, the greater the risk of this sensitisation. It is therefore highly important to identify the cause of the allergy in order to act immediately. The measures necessary to eliminate the allergens can then be taken as soon as possible to combat the allergy.
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1. BREASTFEEDING Breastfeeding during the first 5 to 6 months of a baby s life is an excellent prevention method for all children, especially those at risk of allergies. Why is breast milk the best thing for my baby? Breastfeeding provides your baby with added protection against allergies. By drinking its mother s milk, your baby won t be exposed to foreign proteins early on. Moreover, breast milk is an important source of immunoglobulins which restrict the penetration of allergens via the intestinal mucous and which help the baby to fight off infection. Will I have enough milk to feed my baby exclusively with breast milk? All women can produce enough milk. Ideally, you should feed your baby when he or she demands it, without setting a timetable or fixed pauses between each feed. It is also advisable to breastfeed your baby within half an hour of the birth as it is at that very moment that the sucking reflex is at its strongest. Do I have to follow a strict diet while I am breastfeeding? You should avoid eating any one food to excess and don t drink milk if you don t like it.
What should I do if I don t want to breastfeed my child? Before taking a decision, talk to your doctor for a better evaluation of the risk your baby runs of suffering from allergies. Special milks called substitution milks can be bought from the chemist s. These can help reduce the risks of allergies, but do not eliminate them altogether. YOUR DOCTOR IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN GIVE YOU PRECISE AND APPROPRIATE INFORMATION FOR YOUR SPECIFIC CASE. YOU MUST ALWAYS ASK YOUR DOCTOR S ADVICE.
2. A VARIED DIET "When you begin to feed your baby solids at around 5-6 months, it is important to be careful and only give one new food at a time. This will enable you to detect the foods to which your baby has an allergic reaction." What do I have to do when feeding my baby to avoid any risks? The best age at which to begin to vary your baby s diet is 5-6 months. You should go about this in a progressive manner and if your child is at risk from allergies, you should avoid those foodstuffs that are known to produce allergies for babies until the age of one year at the least. Avoid cutting corners: only introduce one new food at a time and test it out for several days before moving on to a new one. I have heard a lot about cow s milk allergies. What foodstuffs contain cow s milk? Several foods contain cow s milk (baby porridge/cereals, biscuits, cold meats and more). If your child needs a special diet, ask your doctor for advice. Associations of allergic patients can provide you with additional information on food ingredients.
What are the main foods that I should avoid giving my baby at the start? Up to the age of one year, you should avoid the following major allergens: milk and dairy products eggs fish peanuts exotic fruits (kiwi, papaya, etc.) dried fruits and nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, etc.) biscuits containing eggs and/or milk In practice, you should substitute the breast milk you give your baby with another milk as late as possible. YOUR DOCTOR IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN GIVE YOU PRECISE AND APPROPRIATE INFORMATION FOR YOUR BABY. ALWAYS ASK YOUR DOCTOR and/or YOUR DIETICIAN FOR ADVICE.
3. DOING UP THE NURSERY "It is very important to arrange your baby s nursery so that it is a dust-free zone. There is a whole list of precautions to be followed to avoid the spread of housedust mites, who are the main culprits in respiratory allergies." Make sure your baby s nursery is a dry room with a temperature between 18 and 20. Avoid humidifiers. It is important to ensure that the humidity level remains constant at between 45 and 50% in order to avoid damp patches and the spread of house-dust mites. The mould that appears on humid surfaces within rooms causes allergic and asthmatic reactions in those who are sensitive to them. Make sure you air the room every day. Never block the air vents. Choose a new foam mattress for your baby. If your baby runs a high risk of suffering from an allergy, you should also buy an anti-house-dustmite cover. When your child is older, you should opt for movable wooden slat beds or beds with a metallic trellis. All of the baby s bedding must be washable at 60. It is advisable to wash sheets once week-
ly and duvets once monthly. You should choose floor coverings that can be washed down. Avoid carpets and rugs, which are difficult to clean. You should choose curtains and draperies that are light and can be washed at 60, or alternatively blinds that can be washed down with a sponge. Furry toys are not recommended for children who are allergic to house-dust-mites. House-dust mites are tiny arachnids that live in bedding, in house dust, in carpets and in furniture upholstery. My baby s nursery is finished. It is a dustfree zone and I clean it regularly. Is this enough? For children who run the risk of suffering from allergies, you should take the same precautions for all of the areas in which your baby might spend time (living room, crèche, etc.). YOUR DOCTOR IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN GIVE YOU PRECISE AND APPROPRIATE INFORMATION FOR YOUR SPECIFIC CASE. YOU MUST ALWAYS ASK YOUR DOCTOR S ADVICE.
4. CIGARETTE SMOKE Do not smoke during pregnancy and breastfeeding, nor in the presence of a child. What risks will my baby run if I carry on smoking during my pregnancy? It is important not to smoke during pregnancy as the tobacco inhaled by the mother can influence the amount of allergic antibodies of the child, increasing the risk that it will develop an allergy. Furthermore, smoking during pregnancy increases the sensitivity of the baby s bronchial tubes once it is born and thus heighten the risk of asthma. Other consequences your baby might suffer are a low birth weight, respiratory infections and fragile tubes, and there is a greater risk of cot death. If you are finding it difficult to stop smoking, ask your doctor and smokers help centres for advice. Is passive smoking really dangerous? Yes. Ask those who smoke in your presence to go outside. You must try to banish cigarettes from your home altogether and never smoke in an enclosed space, such as a car, when a child is with you.
My child suffers from allergies. Could cigarette smoke be damaging? Cigarette smoke is an irritant, which worsens the condition of children suffering from asthma or bronchitis. YOUR DOCTOR IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN GIVE YOU PRECISE AND APPROPRIATE INFORMATION FOR YOUR SPECIFIC CASE. YOU MUST ALWAYS ASK YOUR DOCTOR S ADVICE.
5. ANIMALS, IRRITANTS AND MEDICAL SYMPTOMS Will I have to do without a family pet? Animals with fur or feathers (cats, dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.) are one of the major sources of allergens (from their saliva, urine, dander and excrement, etc.). The majority of people become sensitised to contact with their own pet(s). This is why pets are strongly discouraged, in particular during the sensitisation phase. Are there specific irritant products I should avoid for my baby? Irritants either worsen existing symptoms or cause them to appear. An irritant will, for example, worsen the condition of already inflamed respiratory tracts (petrol, paint, exhaust fumes, etc.). When washing your baby, avoid perfumed products (wipes, talc, e t c. ). Can allergy tests be conducted from birth? A test carried out at birth does allow the risk of atopy to be determined to a certain extent. Atopy is the predisposition of the child to allergies and this procedure can therefore help to reinforce your determination to ensure maximum prevention. If, in spite of this, your child does have an allergic reaction, then he or she should undergo allergy tests without delay in order to enable you to avoid what is causing the symptoms as much as possible (foodstuffs, house-dust mites, etc.).
What are the usual medical symptoms of an allergy? The symptoms observed can be: digestive problems (diarrhoea, vomiting, colic) skin problems (eczema, hives, Quincke s oedema) respiratory problems (asthma, repetitive bronchitis, rhinitis and in particular hayfever, etc.) other: repetitive otitis, conjunctivitis, etc. What are the main allergens to be avoided for children at risk of or already suffering from allergies? The substances you should avoid are the following: A. IN THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT: house-dust mites mould animal hairs and feathers pollen cigarette smoke and other irritants B. IN FOOD: milk and dairy products eggs fish peanuts exotic fruits (kiwi, papaya, etc.) dried fruits and nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, etc.) biscuits containing eggs and/or milk You must be careful about foodstuffs containing various components, as it is difficult to check afterwards which one has provoked the allergic symptoms.
This explanatory brochure can be used as support for the video "Are you aware of allergies?". The topic is the prevention of allergies for new-born babies who might be at risk. The aim is to raise the awareness of parents as to the importance of prevention, encouraging them to act before the symptoms even appear. The video was made possible thanks to the co-operation of the Fondation pour la Prévention des Allergies, Allergiepreventie, the O.N.E. (Office de la Naissance et de l Enfance), Kind & Gezin and the UCB Institute of Allergy. ALLERGIES ARE NOT AN INEVITABILITY. YOU CAN TAKE ACTION RIGHT NOW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR. YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT THE ALLERGY PREVENTION ASSOCIATIONS IN YOUR COUNTRY. FONDATION POUR L A P R E V E N T I O N D E S A L L E RG I E S Address: Fondation pour la Prévention des Allergies: 56, rue de la Concorde - 1050 Bruxelles Allergiepreventie: 38, Sint Anna - 8500 Kortrijk Office de la Naissance et de l'enfance: 84-86 av. de la Toison d'or - 1060 Bruxelles Kind & Gezin: Hallepoortlaan 27-1060 Brussel The UCB Institute of Allergy: 60 Allée de la Recherche - 1070 Brussels