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Nicki Nair, M.D.
Boys Town Allergy and Asthma
Stuffy nose, congestion, sneezes…how can you tell if your child has allergies or if it’s just a cold?

Allergies and the common cold can have many similar symptoms, including runny nose, watery eyes, cough and congestion, so it can be difficult for parents to know whether their child has an allergic reaction or is battling a virus.

A cold is a virus that must run its course. Over-the-counter medications, approved by your child’s physician, may help with some symptoms, but the cold will generally stick around for 7-10 days. Allergies, on the other hand, will continue as long as the child is in contact with the substance causing the allergic reaction.

Boys Town Asthma and Allergy provides a checklist to help determine if your child has allergies or just a cold:

Have your child’s cold symptoms lingered for more than 2 weeks?

Does your child have a chronic (continual) cough?

Is the mucus clear (not yellow or green)?

Does your child have a stuffy nose or breathe through his/her mouth?

Are his/her eyes red and itchy?

Does your child have dark circles under his/her eyes?

If your child has one or more of the above symptoms, it is a possible your child has an allergy. Common allergens include food, medications, pet dander, mold, dust and pollen. Depending on the type of allergy, your child may experience respiratory symptoms, skin irritations or digestive problems. Nasal allergies can make your child more susceptible to ear and sinus infections and asthma.

If parents cannot determine the source of the allergy, an allergist can perform a battery of skin tests to determine the offending allergens. It is important for parents to remember that the sensitivity to an allergen can change with time.

If your child does have an allergy, your physician will discuss how you can decrease your child’s exposure to the allergen. Boys Town Asthma and Allergy offers the following tips to reduce allergens in your home:

Vacuum your home at least once a week and consider purchasing a HEPA vacuum.

Wash bedding in hot water to remove dust and kill bacteria.

Replace furnace and air filters every 1-2 months during peak allergy seasons.

Have pets bathed regularly to keep pet dander at a minimum.

Wash blankets, stuffed animals and other toys regularly to remove dust and bacteria.

If your child seems to be suffering from cold symptoms that just do not seem to go away, contact your child’s physician. For more information on allergies, asthma and other childhood illnesses, log on to boystownpediatrics.org.

Food Allergies in Children
Food allergies, although not common to the population as a whole, can have serious effects on the children who do suffer from symptoms. Parents with food allergies can pass the problem along to their children or an allergy can surface at any time, even if the child has been exposed to the food several times with no symptoms.

Food allergens affect only about 5-8% of children under the age of 3 and most children eventually outgrow the allergy. The most common food allergies include eggs, shellfish, milk, peanuts and wheat. Even if your child has had eggs many times, she still may become allergic to them because it takes time for the body to develop immunity or an allergy to foods.

If you think your child may have a food allergy, but you are unsure what food it may be, keep a journal and record the types of foods your child consumes daily. Symptoms of food allergies include:

Troubled breathing or wheezing

Itchy skin or rashes

Diarrhea

Nausea or vomiting

Swelling of neck, throat and/or mouth

Food intolerances are far more common than allergies. Intolerance occurs when the body is unable to break down and process the food. Lactose intolerance, the inability to break down milk products, is the most common. Symptoms of intolerance include vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rashes.

Although we may not be able to stop all food allergies or intolerances, Boys Town Pediatrics offers some tips to help parents prevent some early food discomforts:

Breastfeed your child without supplementing formula for the first 6 months.

If you are not breastfeeding, use a hypoallergenic formula (soy, goat’s milk, Nutramigen or Alimentum)

Offer solid foods after 6 months of age, beginning with rice cereals.

Cow’s milk can be added to the diet at age 1 and egg products at 2 years.

Avoid peanuts, peanut butter and shellfish until 3 years of age.

Introduce foods one at a time, giving your child one new food every three to four days.

The best way to keep your child safe is to stay away from a particular food which is causing discomfort. If you think your child is having a severe allergic reaction, take him or her to the emergency room. If you have any questions regarding your child’s diet or food allergies, talk to your child’s physician.

For more information on pediatric topics, visit boystownpediatrics.com

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s development, contact your physician.

For more information on pediatric-related issues, log on to the Boys Town Pediatrics Web site.

Kent Amstutz, D.O.
Boys Town Pediatrics
Bed-wetting, or Enuresis, is the involuntary passage of urine during sleep. “It is considered normal until a child is at least six years of age,” explains Kent Amstutz, D.O., a pediatrician with Boys Town Pediatrics.

An inherited small bladder is the cause of bed-wetting for most children. “Their bladder is so small that it cannot hold the urine their bodies produce throughout the night,” says Dr. Amstutz. “Although their kidneys are normal, they sleep so deeply that the signal of a full bladder does not wake them.”

Enuresis is not caused by emotional problems, says Dr. Amstutz, however they can be created if the situation is mishandled. “Bed-wetting causes guilt and embarrassment in most children. Parents should create a supportive environment, encouraging their child to overcome his or her problem.” suggests Amstutz. “Punishment or pressure to stop having accidents in the night often creates secondary emotional problems and causes the child to take even longer to overcome bed-wetting.”

Even without treatment, most children will overcome bed-wetting. However, Dr. Amstutz suggests trying these simple home care treatments:

Encourage your child to get up during the night. At bedtime, be sure to gently remind your child to get up when he or she has to urinate.

Empty the bladder before bedtime. Remind your child to use the restroom before getting into bed at night.

Limit fluid before bedtime. Discourage your child from drinking excessive amounts during the two hours before bedtime and avoid drinks with caffeine.

Improve access to the bathroom. Put a nightlight in the hallway and bathroom or place a portable toilet in your child’s bedroom.

Parent-awakening. Wake your child up at a specific time each night, such as your own bedtime.

Once a child reaches eight years of age, he or she may need additional assistance awakening at night. “A bed-wetting alarm is one technique that teaches a child to awaken when he or she needs to urinate,” explains Dr. Amstutz. “A less expensive option is to teach your child to use an alarm clock to self-awaken three to four hours after going to bed. Medication can also be used to temporarily stop bed-wetting for special occasions such as slumber parties or other overnights.”

Call your child’s physician if urination causes pain or burning, the stream of urine is weak, your child wets during the daytime, bedwetting is a new problem, or your child is over 12 years old.