A Lesson In Value... r HOLIDAYS NOW! Vancouver - Honolulu $329.00 Vancouver - Maui $399.00 Dec. 29th through March 31st Tickets to be purchased at time of booking up to October 31st. Maximum stay 30 days. Minimum first Sunday. Call toaay 9BO-8301 ATLYNN TRAVEL LYNN VALLey CENTRE PLAN Purdy’s Action Bar Back to School Special 99° (Reg. $1.20) Lynn Valley Centre August 25-September 7 EUROPEAN HAMS & SAUSAGES & HOMEMADE SALADS IMPORTED & DOMESTIC CHEESES IMPORTED HARD-TO-FIND SPECIALTY FOODS PARTY TRAYS 980-4121 Lynn Valley Centre $3999 Available at 23 - Sunday, Aupust 24, 1986 - North Shore News | F LEADING CHRONIC DISEASE How to cope with children’s allergies SOON AFTER the birth of a vaby, friends and family alike waste no time in vigorously debating the newborn’s inherited characteristics. Often overlooked, however, is the strong possibility of the baby inheriting family aller gies. In fact, allergy is the leading chronic diseasé’ for children. It is estimated that one in four children in Canada suffer from some form of allergy. . Research indicates that when both parents have allergies there is an 80 per cent probability the child will develop them, and if only one parent suffers, this probability decreases to 50 per cent. Even if neither parent has an allergy history, there is still a 10 per cent possibility of the child developing the problem. WATCH SIGNALS Although allergy is prevalent in children, only one in three allergic children is quickly diagnosed and treated, claims the Allergy Infor- mation Association, a non-profit organization designed to provide information and support to allergy sufferers. ’ The greater the child’s allergy probability, the sooner he will display allergy symptoms. Colic, irritability, skin rashes, rubbing and scratching, sneezing, irregular breathing, frequent colds and bloodshot eyes are all signs that may indicate a baby has allergies. {n older children, parents should also watch for the following symp- toms: pallor.and dark circles under the eyes, unexplained fever, drool- ing, watery eyes, fluctuating weight, and a general feeling of il- Iness. A family doctor can quickly confirm if any of these symptoms are allergy related. UNDERSTAND PROBLEM Skin tests are currently the most widely used method for allergy diagnosis. The substance suspected to be the cause of an allergic reaction is placed onto the skin in extract form and a pinprick is then made through it. An allergy is confirmed if an allergic reaction in the form of a small, itchy, red swelling ap- pears on the test site. Because skin testing can be an uncomfortable and intimidating experience for children, often physicians will first try to diagnose the problem on the basis of a complete medical history. Dr. Donald Stark, leading west coast allergist and clinical assistant professor with the University of British Columbia, believes parents of allergic children should ensure they fully understand allergy so they can better cope with their child's condition. In defining allergy, he explains, ‘An allergy is the body’s ag- gressively defensive response to a substance or allergen which other people find completely harmless. Immediately after a problem allergen enters a hypersensitive person’s bloodstream, a protein | antibody is triggered, which in turn, causes the release of body chemicals, one of the most trou- blesome being histamine. And it is histamine which causes allergy symptoms.” PROTECTING HOME The Allergy 'nformation Association recommends controls in the home to decrease exposure to the more common problem allergens such as dust, animai dander, and pollen from grass, weeds and trees. Simple controls include: ¢ Furnishing the child’s room simply ~ items such as wool rugs, books, and stuffed animals are notorious for collecting dust and moulds; . *® Vacuuming and dusting regu- larly; e Keeping the family pet out- doors (if it is absolutely necessary to have a pet at all); ¢ Using an air conditioner and closing windows during high pollen seasons. SCHOOL AND ALLERGIES Because Canadian children miss an estimated 700,000 school days a year due to allergy, the association also suggests environmental con- trols be exercised in the school. The following suggestions are offered to gain support from the school: e Send ai introductory letter to the teacher early in the school year requesting an interview; © Make sure the teacher fully understands the allergy — the Allergy Information Association has a wide range of educational materials which may be helpful; © Check classroom for problem allergens such as dusty floors and classroom pets; © Ensure emergency medication is available for the allergic child; * Request outdoor recess be avoided, if necessary, in high pollen seasons. MEDICATION OPTIONS If the child continues to suffer from allergy symptoms, a medica- on treatment may be unavoid- able. Immunotherapy, or a prescribed treatment of regular serum injec- tions, is sometimes recommended. However, recently the trend has been away from allergy shots because of inconsistent relief of symptoms. In addition, many allergic children suffer allergic reactions to the serum injections. Physicians more commonly recommend oral antihistamines to block the effect of histamine and thus help control allergy symp- toms. Until recently, there was concern cited with side effects (drowsiness, dry mouth, gastrointestinal upset and blurred vision) often associated with traditional an- tihistamines. These side effects frequently result in learning problems for school children due to decreased alertness and sedation. However, recent advances in allergy research have produced a new generation of antihistamines which effectively relieve allergy symptoms without the nagging side . effects.