Allergic diseases are increasingly prevalent in the paediatric population. These include food allergies, allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Prevention of these conditions is extremely important.
Allergic diseases are now becoming an increasingly common health problem among children. Both genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of allergic diseases. To prevent this, prevention is extremely important.
Stages of prevention
Primary prevention is aimed at people at risk of developing allergies, but without known sensitisation. These children usually come from families with known allergic diseases. Among the methods of primary prevention during the foetal period are the complete elimination of cigarette smoking by pregnant women, the use of probiotics and the continuation of specific immunotherapy in women who have asthma or allergic rhinitis.
After birth, primary prevention methods include:
- exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months,
- not introducing solid foods into the diet until 6 months of age,
- avoidance of exposure to tobacco smoke,
- the mother's diet does not need special modifications,
- reducing exposure to house dust mite allergens or animal dander.
In children who are already sensitised but without symptoms of bronchial asthma, it is necessary to introduce secondary prevention methods. Sometimes these children may already have symptoms of food allergy, atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis.
Prevention methods include:
- avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke,
- avoiding exposure to sensitising allergens,
- use of probiotics,
- specific immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis,
- use of anti-allergic drugs in children with atopic dermatitis and acute bronchiolitis.
The final stage is tertiary, or lateprevention. It concerns children with full-blown allergic disease, with asthma symptoms. It consists primarily in avoiding allergens, exacerbators and triggers of dyspnoea attacks. An important element is also the use of appropriate treatment to prevent the onset of dyspnoea attacks.