Allergic reactions can occur immediately, or they can be delayed and take days to surface. A delayed allergic reaction can make it more difficult to pinpoint the allergen.

Common symptoms of an allergic reaction are respiratory congestion, eye inflammation, swelling, itching, hives, and stomachache and vomiting. Food allergies can contribute to chronic health problems, such as acne, asthma, bedwetting, diarrhea, ear infections, eczema, fatigue, hay fever, headache, irritability, chronic runny nose, and even difficulty maintaining concentration (attention deficit disorder, or hyperactivity). Food allergies can also cause intestinal irritation and swelling that interferes with the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Even if you are providing your child with a wholesome, nutritious diet, if she is consuming foods to which she is allergic, she may not be able to absorb food properly, and therefore may not be deriving the full benefits of all the foods she is eating.

The most common foods that cause allergic reactions in children are wheat, milk and other dairy products, eggs, fish and seafood, chocolate, citrus fruits, soy products, corn, nuts, and berries. Many children also are allergic to sulfites, which are found in some frozen foods and dried fruits, as well as in medications. Some people seem to be genetically predisposed to food allergies. If family members, especially parents, have food allergies, there is a greater chance a child will have the same difficulties.

Sometimes, if all the irritating foods are eliminated from a child’s diet for several months, her body will have a chance to rest and heal, after which it will be able to handle small amounts of these foods without reacting. Sometimes, too, there is an underlying issue such as a parasitic or yeast infection in the intestine that is contributing to the allergic response. If these underlying problems are cleared up, the child’s body may be less reactive to certain substances.

It has been observed that some children actively dislike the foods that produce an allergic reaction. They seem to know instinctively that certain foods will cause a problem. If your child continually refuses particular foods, it may be wise not to force the issue.

Paradoxically, however, some children seem to be particularly drawn to the very foods that cause a problem. For example, many children are allergic to peanut butter, a staple in many homes. Children who continually ask for peanut butter, or those who enthusiastically eat lots of wheat bread, wheat crackers, and wheat cereals, or who crave milk, ice cream, and other dairy products, may actually be exhibiting an allergy to those foods.

EMERGENCY TREATMENT FOR FOOD ALLERGIES Occasionally, an allergic reaction is so severe it can be life threatening. If your child exhibits rapidly spreading hives or has difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately. If there is any sign that your child is having difficulty breathing due to a severe allergic reaction, especially if she has a history of severe reactions, take her immediately to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. If you cannot transport your child yourself, call for emergency help and stress the urgency of the situation. Every second counts. If an emergency adrenaline kit, such as the Ana~it or EpiPen, is available, administer it immediately, followed by 50 milligrams of an antihistamine such as Benadryl. Do not give your child anything to eat or drink if she is having difficulty breathing. Even if your child responds quickly to the administration of the emergency adrenaline kit, she should still be taken to the emergency room for professional evaluation and treatment.

Conventional Treatment

The most important part of treating food
allergies, obviously, is to identify- and then avoid-the foods that are
causing your child’s reaction. There are two techniques, the elimination
diet and the rotation diet, that enable you to do this (see Elimination Diet
and Rotation Diet. Once you have identified the foods or classes of foods that cause symptoms in your child, remember to read the labels on all the processed food products you buy. Many food products will contain one or more of the substances you have identified as the source of your child’s allergy.

In cases of severe multiple food allergies, oral cromolyn sodium (Gastrocrom) may be prescribed as a preventive measure. This is the same drug that is used in inhaled form to prevent asthma attacks.

If your child suffers from recurrent allergic reactions, an antihistamine may be recommended.

Dietary Guidelines

Use an elimination diet to determine which foods are causing your child’s symptoms. Some of the foods that most commonly cause a reaction are dairy products, wheat, citrus fruits, nuts (including peanut butter), corn, soy products, cane sugar, and eggs. You may wish to try eliminating these first.

Always read product labels and be aware of the ingredients in manufactured food products, especially additives such as artificial flavorings and colorings. Processed foods often contain a surprising array of ingredients and additives. It’s better to base your child’s diet on whole foods that you prepare yourself.

Nutritional Supplements

For age-appropriate dosages of nutritional supplements, see Dosage Guidelines for Herbs and Nutritional Supplements.

Calcium and magnesium help to reduce sensitivity and nervousness associated with allergies. Give your child a combination liquid containing 250 milligrams of calcium and 125 milligrams of magnesium, twice a day, for two to three months.

Give your child 50 to 100 milligrams of pantothenic acid, twice daily, at least one hour away from food, for one month to support adrenal function.

The B vitamins help support adrenal function. Give your child a vitamin-B complex supplement, twice a day, for two to three months.

Vitamin C helps to stimulate immune function. Give your child one dose of vitamin C, in mineral ascorbate form with bioflavonoids, twice a day, for two to three months.

General Recommendations

Use an elimination or rotation diet to identify the food or foods that are causing your child’s allergic response.

Because allergic reactions can take a wide variety of forms, from headaches to bedwetting, you may want to consult other entries in this book that correspond to your child’s symptoms.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent your child from developing a food allergy. It goes without saying, however, that you should make sure she is not exposed to any known allergens.

Dosage Guidelines

Diet

Herbal Medicine

Homeopathy

Bach Flowers

Acupressure

From Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child by Janet Zand, N.D., L.Ac., Robert Rountree, MD, Rachel Walton, RN, ©1994. Published by Avery Publishing, New York. For personal use only; neither the digital nor printed copy may be copied or sold. Reproduced by permission.

The behavior or response you see may not seem to match or articulate the underlying feeling, but it is usually the best way available to the child to express himself in that situation. When a child says, “I hurt,” a parent should, of course, explore the physical symptoms, but also be sure to take time to explore whether the pain is actually an emotional hurt. Instead of focusing only on the anger or physical symptom your child displays, look for the deeper emotional need that may be giving rise to it. Help your child verbalize his feelings to ask for what he is really wanting or needing. For example, by saying, “It seems that there is something that you want or need right now. Do you know what that is?” or, “What are you hurting about?” you may be able to get beyond the immediate behavior or illness to a deeper concern or need. It also helps the child know that you are available and that you care about him. Be willing to be patient, listen, and help your child express what he is feeling. Sometimes all a child needs is to feel heard and to be acknowledged. Instead of quickly “kissing and making it all better,” sit with your child, hold him, and acknowledge his hurt. Tell him, “I see that you are hurting,” or, “I hear that you are needing more of my time,” or, “You’re right, it is so sad that that happened.” Acknowledging your child’s feelings, and helping him to articulate those feelings, may be one of the greatest gifts you can offer as a parent. It helps to build a child’s self-esteem.

Children thrive in an environment that feels safe and secure, and in which they
receive plenty of love, support, and guidance. Any major change, instability,
or ongoing conflict will have an impact. Don’t assume that a child doesn’t know about family stresses unless you tell him. In fact, it is more realistic to assume that a child does know about whatever stresses there are in the family, and needs support to deal with what he is feeling. Children are like very sensitive weathervanes. They have a natural ability to pick up on feelings, conflicts, or changes in their environments. Using language your child can understand, talk about changes or conflicts in the family. Help your child to understand what is really happening so that he does not need to guess or imagine. The explanations children come up with on their own are often more frightening than the reality.

If, after you have identified a problem and addressed it in the most
compassionate and complete way you know, your child’s emotional upset or
behavior seems unchanged or even worse, or if it is disrupting the family or
his ability to function at school, it is time to seek further help. In the
event of certain traumatic situations, such as a divorce or a death in the
family, it is beneficial to seek counseling for your child regardless of how he seems to be handling the problem. Group or individual counseling can help your child learn to understand and express his feelings appropriately.

More long-term and complicated emotional and behavioral disorders, such as violence and aggression, drug abuse, depression, developmental disabilities, ant learning disabilities, are beyond the scope of this book. Signs of a more serious problem include violent or aggressive behavior; withdrawal from the family; a drastic change in usual behavior; an unwillingness to talk; changes in eating habits; an inability to sleep or sleeping much more than usual; deteriorating school performance; continuous conflict with parents, teaches, or pees; difficulty making friends; and chronic tearfulness or apathy. If you suspect a serious or chronic emotional or behavioral problem, consult your child’s teacher, school guidance counselor, or physician. Your child and/or your family may need professional help.

Children need emotional support and guidance throughout their lives as the challenges and tasks they face continue to expand and change. Part of your responsibility as a parent is to stay current and aware of your child’s needs so that you can support his emotional health.

Conventional Treatment


A family physician, pediatrician, or pediatric nurse practitioner is a good resource for helping parents understand developmental stages and healthy emotional responses. These professionals can provide important information and guidance for facing the challenges that might be coming up in a child’s life and helping you to support your child through these transitions. They can also help you sort out the difference between a normal response and behavior that may signal an emotional problem needing further exploration and intervention. A doctor or nurse practitioner can refer the family to a counselor, a learning specialist, or appropriate community resources. Many naturopathic physicians are also extensively trained in counseling.

Dietary Guidelines

Limit your child’s consumption of foods containing refined sugars and caffeine, both of which can cause mood swings.

Food allergies and sensitivities can cause or
contribute to mental and emotional difficulties such as anxiety, depression,
hyperactivity, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Use an elimination
diet or a food diary to track down food allergies and sensitivities
(see Elimination Diet).

Herbal Treatment

For age-appropriate dosages of nutritional supplements, see Dosage Guidelines for Herbs and Nutritional Supplements.

Chamomile tea helps calm and ease stress and tension. Give your child one dose of tea as needed.

Oat straw is nourishing and calming to the nervous system. This herb is helpful for a child who is dealing with stressful emotions over an extended period of time. Give your child one dose of oat straw tea, twice a day, as needed.

Skullcap is helpful for nervousness and anxiety and the headaches that often follow. Give your child one dose daily for up to two weeks.


Note: This herb should not be given to a child less than six years old.

Homeopathy

When your child is distressed, the appropriate symptom-specific homeopathic remedy will likely be very helpful. Choose the remedy that matches your child’s symptoms from the list that follows. Unless otherwise indicated, give your child one dose, three times a day, for up to five days.

Give Aconite to a child who is fearful and anxious, especially if the feeling came on suddenly. This child may be very restless and sensitive to noise, smell, and touch. He feels better outdoors and worse in a warm, closed room. Give one dose of Aconite 200x when needed.

Arsenicum album 30x or 9c will ease a child who acts restless and fussy and is afraid of being alone. This child may obsessively organize his room when feeling insecure.

Chamomilla 30x or 9c is good for an angry child who is upset, who insists on being held, and whose temper flares when you put him down.

Cina is for the angry, contrary, and ill-tempered child who does not want to be touched or hugged. This is the type of child who will ask for a toy and then toss it away in front of your nose. (He may pick his own nose constantly as well.)

Colocynthis 30x or 9c is helpful for a child who complains of a stomachache after being angry.

Ignatia 30x or 9c is especially helpful after a loss, emotional trauma, or disappointment. Grief associated with the death of a parent or grandparent, breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or moving to a new town will be eased by Ignatia. It is helpful for a child who is quiet and tearful. This is a child who sighs a lot.

Lycopodium 30x or 9c is for a child who gets angry as a result of his insecurity. This is helpful for the angry child living in a home filled with feelings of uncertainty. Lycopodium is also useful for a child who experiences fear and anxiety in any new situation. It is good for situations involving a performance, such as getting up in front of the class or trying a new sport or game.

Give Natrum muriaticum 30x or 9c to a sad child who dwells on morbid ideas in the home or in the news, rejects sympathy, is sensitive, and does not like being fussed over.

If a child is critical, has feelings of superiority, experiences outbursts of anger, and is short-tempered, give him Nux vomica 30x or 9c.

Phosphorus 30x or 9c is for the fearful, extremely sensitive child who develops feelings of anxiety over what others may be thinking or feeling about him.

Pulsatilla 30x or 9c is good for a child who is timid, sensitive, and easily frightened, and who cries easily. Pulsatilla is homeopathic windflower, and it is beneficial for the child whose moods change like the wind.

If your child voices a particular recurrent or outstanding fear, an appropriate homeopathic remedy may be very helpful. Try giving your child one dose of a remedy (use a 30x or 15c potency), three times a day, for three days. Discontinue for one week and repeat. If this seems to have a beneficial effect, wait one month and repeat the entire cycle.

The following are some remedies that may be useful to investigate for this purpose:

• For fear of aliens, try Phosphorus or Arsenicum album.
  
• For fear of the dark, try Calcarea carbonica, Lycopodium, or Stramonium.
  
• For fear of death, try Calcarea carbonica, Arsenicum album, Lycopodium, or Phosphorus.
  
• For fear of being eaten by animals, try Stramonium.
  
• For fear of insects, try Calcarea carbonica.
  
• For fear upon closing one’s eyes, try Causticum.
  
• For fear of crowds, try Lycopodium, Argentum nitricum, or Aconite.
  
• For fear of going to church, try Argentum nitricum.
  
• For fear of knives, try Arsenicum album, Alumina, or China.
  
• For fear of cockroaches, try Phosphorus.
  
• For fear of doctors, try Ignatia or Phosphorus.
  
• For fear of dogs, try Calcarea carbonica, Belladonna, China, or Tuberculinum.
  
• For fear of high places, try Argentumnitricum, Natrummuriaticum, Phosphorus, or Pulsatilla.
  
• For fear of water, try Lyssin.
  
• For fear of everything, try Calcarea carbonica or Pulsatilla.
  

Bach Flower Remedies

Bach Flower Rescue Remedy helps to calm a child, restore his balance and confidence, and relieve apprehension. It will help a child who is upset, whether angry, crying, afraid, or tense. It is useful in many crisis situations, such as after hearing bad news, before a test, before going to the dentist, after falling and getting hurt, or upon waking up from a nightmare. Rescue Remedy is particularly good in acute situations in which the cause of the distress is not always clear-times when a child begins screaming and crying and feeling intensely and inconsolably frustrated for no apparent reason. Place a drop of the mother tincture into a small glass of noncarbonated water and have your child sip it. Ask him to swish the mixture around in his mouth before swallowing. Or mix 3 drops of the mother tincture with 2 ounces of water and give your child 2 droppersful, or 1 teaspoon, three times a day.

There are two Bach Flower remedies that are standards for the fearful child. If your child has fears but cannot name what they are about, give him Aspen. If he can name the source of his fear, use Mimulus.

Other individual Bach Flower Remedies are
helpful for easing specific emotional upsets or balancing certain temperaments.
To select the remedy that is most appropriate for your child’s situation, see
BACH FLOWER REMEDIES.

Acupressure

For the locations of acupressure points on a child’s body, see ADMINISTERING AN ACUPRESSURE TREATMENT.

Four Gates is calming and soothing to a child who is upset.

Neck and Shoulder Release helps release tension centered in the head, neck, and shoulder area, and will help relax your child.

General Recommendations

Make your family’s emotional and physical well-being a priority. Part of that commitment is to realize that you have physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of your own that must be nurtured and cared for.

When you notice yourself having a strong response to your child’s sadness, anger, or fear, try to explore what this can teach you about your own emotions. In The Tao of Motherhood (Nucleus Publishers, 1991), Vimala McClure, founder of the International Association of Infant Massage Instructors, writes, “Parenting is a spiritual path which can bring you great pain and great joy and which can have a tremendous positive impact on your personality and behavior. I believe our children, unknowingly and with innocent trickery, teach us the deeper knowledge of how to be a true human being.”

Help your child acknowledge and name feelings. For instance, you might say, “You sound angry that your sister took your favorite toy without asking,” or, “I hear your frustration about losing that game.”

Help your child name his deeper emotional needs, and offer suggestions about how he might be able to get what he wants. What your child expresses as anger may actually be a need for your attention, for example. Once you are able to determine this, you may be able to meet that need by spending an afternoon together or having breakfast together each morning. A child who is unwilling to go to bed on time may really be afraid of the dark, something that might be relieved by a night-light or a bedtime story.

Put yourself in the child’s place. Try to “get inside” his mind and inner world. Feel how big and scary the adult world must be at times. Imagine how hard it must be to try to explain feelings you don’t have the words for or perhaps don’t even understand yet. Situations that we take for granted as adults may be overwhelming and difficult for a child. Imagine the guidance and support he needs. Putting yourself in your child’s place can help you to understand and guide him in a way that is supportive.

Help your child develop constructive ways of
handling strong feelings, and, if possible, to express his feelings and wants
to the specific person involved. Or, if the person is not available and the
frustration is unbearable, teach your child to punch a pillow or yell at a doll
and take out his anger in a way that is safe and healthy. Teach children to
be respectful of themselves and of those around them. Acting out and yelling
at a person or hitting a person are not acceptable behaviors.

Be clear and, above all, consistent in establishing guidelines and agreements.

Be a role model for your child. Handle your own feelings by being truthful about them and constructive and safe in how you deal with them. It is far better to say, “I am angry about my friend missing our appointment,” than it is to say you feel fine while your behavior and the tone of your voice say something else. Children are confused by mixed messages. They are likely to assume that you are angry at them, as well as to learn that it is not okay to express feelings.

Supporting a child’s emotional well-being is a responsibility parents face over many years. It requires a lot of attention. There are parent support groups, parent training opportunities, and workshops for children that help develop healthy self-esteem and healthy family dynamics. Whether or not you are facing a specific stress or emotional problem in your family, these workshops and groups can help promote emotional health for the whole family.

Dosage Guidelines

Diet

Herbal Medicine

Homeopathy

Bach Flowers

Acupressure

From Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child by Janet Zand, N.D., L.Ac., Robert Rountree, MD, Rachel Walton, RN, ©1994. Published by Avery Publishing, New York. For personal use only; neither the digital nor printed copy may be copied or sold. Reproduced by permission.

Hives can be (but aren’t always) an allergic response to something you touched, inhaled, or swallowed. Some common causes of hives include:

• Reactions to medications such as aspirin, sulfa, and penicillin.
  
• Animal dander (especially from cats).
  
• Cold temperatures.
  
• Emotional or physical stress (including exercise).
  
• Foods (especially chocolate, nuts, shellfish, or tomatoes).
  
• Infections.
  
• Inhalants (especially pollen, mold spores, or airborne chemicals).
  
• Insect bites.
  
• Rubbing or putting pressure on the skin.
  
• Exposure to chemicals.
  
• Malignant or connective tissue disease.
  

Here are some tips for a case of ordinary, non-threatening hives:

• Don’t take hot baths or showers. Heat worsens most rashes and makes them itch more.
  
• Apply cold compresses or take a warm bath.
  
• Wear loose-fitting clothing.
  
• Relax as much as possible. Studies have shown that relaxation therapy and even hypnosis help ease the itching and discomfort of hives.
  
• Ask your doctor whether or not you should take an antihistamine and have him or her recommend one. Antihistamines can help relieve itching and suppress hives. (Keep in mind that antihistamines can cause drowsiness and may make it dangerous for you to drive or perform other tasks requiring alertness).
  
• Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. These may aggravate hives.
  

Questions to Ask

Do you have any of these problems? Shortness of breath and breathing difficulties Wheezing, dizziness Swollen lips, tongue, and/or throat
Did hives start after recently taking a medication?
Do you have itching that is constant, and/or severe or do you have a fever?

Skin rashes come in all forms and sizes. Some are raised bumps, others are flat red blotches. Some are itchy blisters; others are pathes of rough skin. Most rashes are harmless and clear up on their own within a few days. A few may need medical attention. The skin is one of the first areas of the body to react when exposed to something you or your child is allergic to. The chart that follows lists information on some common skin rashes.

Does your child have a severe allergic reaction with any of these problems? Trouble breathing Blue color around the lips and mouth Trouble swallowing Swelling of the face, tongue and mouth
Does your child have a purple, blotchy rash? And are their hands and feet cold?
Does the child have any of these problems? Fever Headache Sore throat A red rash that feels like sandpaper Pain in the arm and leg joints, along with a rash that looks like a target
Does your child have any of these? Big blisters full of water Pus Swelling around the rash
Has your child been near someone with “strep” throat?
If your child has diaper rash: Do they have blisters or small red patches outside the diaper area? (The chest is one place to look.)
Was the child taking medicine when the rash started? Or was the child stung by a bug?
Are any of these things true? Your child’s rash is getting worse. Your child can’t sleep because of the rash. You can’t make the rash better, even after using Self-Care

For Diaper Rash

• Change diapers as soon as they are wet or dirty. Do this even at night if the rash is bad.
  
• Wash your baby with lots of warm water. Don’t use throwaway wipes. Put a little zinc oxide ointment on the skin after it is dry.
  
• Keep the skin dry, and give it air.
  
• Keep your baby naked for 10 to 15 minutes before putting on a fresh diaper. Put the baby on a soft, fluffy towel while you wait.
  
• Put diapers on loose, so air can get inside. If you use throw-away diapers, put some small holes in them. Don’t use throw-aways with tight leg bands.
  
• Don’t use plastic pants until the rash is gone.
  
• Wash cloth diapers in mild soap. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse water. It helps get all the soap out.

For Cradle Cap

• Use dandruff shampoo on your baby. Shampoo your baby’s head once a day for 5 minutes. Use a soft brush or washcloth.
  
• Put a little mineral oil on the baby’s head before shampooing. This can make the cradle cap softer. But be sure to wash out all the mineral oil.

For Heat Rash

Keep your child in a cool, dry place. The rash should go away in 2 to 3 days. Try these tips to make your child feel better:

• Give the child a bath in cool water every 2 hours or so.
  
• Let the air dry your child’s skin. (Don’t rub with a towel.)
  
• Put calamine lotion on the very itchy spots. (Don’t use Caladryl.)
  
• Put corn starch in the body creases.(Examples: inside the elbows, behind knees, inside tops of thighs)
  
• Don’t use any greasy ointments or creams. They can block the skin’s pores.

For Hives

• Give your child an antihistamine like Benadryl. Check the labels of cold medicines. Some cold medicines have diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine. These can help. But remember that antihistamines can make your child sleepy.
  
• Cool your child down. Try one of these tips:
  
  • Rub an ice cube over the hives.
    
  • Put a cool, wet washcloth on the hives.
    
  • Give your child a bath in cool water.
  
  
• Rub your child’s body with calamine lotion, witch hazel, or zinc oxide.
  
• Find out what caused the hives. Keep your child away from it.

For Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, or Sumac

• Take off your child’s clothes and shoes.
  
• Wash your child with soap and water to clean off the plant oil.
  
• Rub the skin with alcohol. Then rinse it with water.
  
• Wash all the clothes and shoes your child was wearing.
  
• Cut your child’s nails. Try to keep your child busy so they won’t scratch.
  
• Soak the rash in cool water. Or give your child an oatmeal bath. You can use Aveeno or just put one cup of dry oatmeal in a tub of water.
  
• Give your child a hot shower if they can stand it. The itching will get worse at first, but then it stops for hours. Do it again when the itching starts again.
  
• Put calamine lotion on the rash every 3 or 4 hours.
  
• Put a little hydrocortisone cream on the rash. Use a tiny bit and don’t rub. (You could spread the poison.) You have used too much if you can see the cream on the skin. You can do this every 3 or 4 hours. Don’t get the cream near your child’s eyes.
  
• Teach your child to know poison ivy, poison oak, and sumac. (Poison ivy and poison oak both have 3 little leaves on each stem. Poison sumac has a row of 7 to 11 little leaves on each stem.) Tell your child to stay away from them.

To Protect Your Child from Lyme Disease

• Have your child wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when they are in fields and woods. Have them tuck their pants into their socks. (Light-colored, tightly woven clothes are best.)
  
• Check your child for ticks when he or she comes back from the woods. Take off any ticks you find on your child’s skin:
  
  • Use tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as you can.
    
  • Pull gently up from where the tick sticks into the skin.
    
  • Try not to crush the tick. Poison from the tick can spread the sickness.
    
  • Wash the bite and your hands with soap and water after.
    
  • Save the tick in a closed jar with alcohol. Show it to your child’s doctor if your child gets sick.