What Are Allergies?
Since we are heading into allergy season, our next safari will cover everything you need to know about your little one and their allergies. But first, the basics: Allergies are abnormal reactions from the immune system where something that’s normal harmless inflames it (Smallwood). This can range from common foods to plants to insects and chemicals. These are known as allergens and these reactions start as early as childhood. In this day and age, there is a lot of medicine like Zyrtec that can help keep children healthy, but as a parent, it’s still important to know the signs, symptoms and triggers caused by allergies.
Airborne Allergies
What are the most common allergens? There are a lot of airborne things that cause allergic reactions. Dust mites, pollen and mold are all things that float in the air that provoke sneezing and coughing. As spring happens, plants bloom and release pollen in order to fertilize other plants. Pollen comes in all kinds of varieties and the kind of pollen often determines the symptoms of allergies. It’s important to remember the pollen count when your children are playing outside, which is “usually higher in the morning and on warm, dry, breezy days, and lowest when it’s chilly and wet” (Smallwood).
While pollen is often found outdoors, mold and dust mites are airborne allergens that happen indoors. Dust mites are tiny insects that feed on millions of dead skin cells and are the basic allergen contained in dust. They often reside in carpets and upholstery. It’s important to keep buildings dusted in order to avoid large gatherings of these creatures. Mold on the other hand, is fungi often forms in cold damp places that are poorly ventilated. Bathrooms and damp basements are common breeding grounds for mold and while other allergens like pollen are seasonal, mold grows all year round (Smallwood).
Food Allergies
Food are the other major allergen, and it is extremely important to know which foods can cause your little one harm if they are allergic. Milk, peanut butter, eggs, fish, nuts, soy and wheat are all examples of allergy causing food. Some of these products are extremely difficult to avoid like milk and eggs, so it’s always important to check ingredient labels before purchasing. Also while milk and egg allergies are both common in children, they are possible to outgrow as your child gets older. Regardless, make sure you are well in tune with what your child eats. While some allergies are minor, others can have life threatening consequences.
Clown Around and Allergies
Clown Around is dedicated to being allergy free in every possible way. Not only are you allowed to bring in your own food, but after every party, all tables and chairs are wiped down. Parties are private so you don’t have to worry about your child coming in contact with unsafe food. At Clown Around, we strive to keep a clean, healthy and wholesome environment at all times.
Tips from Tiger:
-Remember to check the back label of all food for the ingredients listed. Eggs and milk are often hidden ingredients and things people don’t think of when they buy food.
-Allergies are extremely common and over 50 million people have them. This includes millions of children.
-Always check the pollen count before going outside to play.
Smallwood, Jordon. “All About Allergies.” Kids Health. Kidshealth.org, 2020. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/allergy.html
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