Today’s Fact of the Day highlights the problem currently faced by children and young people. As many parents know, allergies are becoming more and more prevalent amongst children. According to data provided by Allergy UK “50% of children and young people have one or more allergy within the first 18 years of life.” This is an incredible number of people affected and is certainly a sharp increase in the last few decades.
Common allergens that affect children are: food (e.g. peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat and fish), pollen from trees and grasses, house dust mite and insect stings. For more information on allergens check out this link. What is particularly interesting is that increasingly food is becoming much more common as an allergen in children with “6-8% of children having a proven food allergy”.
The symptoms of these allergies, such as respiratory problems as well as problems with skin and the digestive system can have a severe affect on the child’s everyday life and schoolwork. In severe cases these allergies can lead to hospitalisation and can be life threatening. Allergy UK points out that is important to investigate any symptoms as soon as possible for early diagnosis and treatment. Have a look at this useful link to help you spot any symptoms in your child.
Do you have any personal experience of this? Let us know what you think and your stories in the comments below or feel free to email me at joelle.english@anthem-publishing.com.