This month I want to reflect on children 

I Started the month being invited to a new playgroup for toddlers with allergy in Exeter.

Flamingo’s playgroup opened its doors this month. For one hour parents, grandparents and carers can relax knowing the toddlers have no access to food or drink. In spite of really heavy snowfall 3 toddlers arrived with attendant adults. All had a very happy time. In public places the toddlers have exposure to the allergens they are allergic to. They could pick up another toddlers cup with milk in, share a biscuit which contains wheat, breath in air with peanut allergen contamination.  It is not just ingesting the allergen but touching or breathing it in. As all 3 had been issued with auto injectors (epipens) these toddlers could go into anaphylactic shock within seconds of exposure.  I was able to share with them all the information from various charities, allergy uk , anaphylactic society, eczema society and IBS network. These charities are often undervalued by the NHS. They have wonderful support groups and on line communities. The next meeting is 5th April. Please contact Beth on 07943411242.

The children I have seen this month have mostly had digestive and or skin disorders. All have visited their GP  on numerous occasions, and have been issued prescriptions for their various symptoms. At the clinic I have been able to isolate any potential triggers, could be foods, contact or aero allergens. Put in places a program to eliminate them in short term. I have also advocated the taking of children probiotics especially ones containing Bifidum infantus. No probiotics are bad but it is best to take targeted ones to obtain the best results.  

These are some of the comments I have received from previous parents who regularly reorder the Devon Allergy Clinic. Kids Tummy-pals powder.

“Hello Marlene, this is Agnes from Torquay, you helped my 8month old daughter come out of eczema with probiotics and diet. Not sure whether you remember us. We had stopped your probiotics a month ago with your advice and I feel like for Delilah it causes some digestion problems (she started off with constipation and the past three days she’s had runny poop as well as a lot of gas) This is the first time I’ve stopped her probiotics and she’s been taking some form of those since birth so I’m wondering whether this would be the cause of that… She also has some of her eczema back especially on her legs and face. Also, I have not gone back to the foods that me and Delilah were not supposed to eat although she is being wean off breast I give her fruit and vegetables only. It would be great to get some advice”

Thank you and looking forward to your reply.

Agnes

“Can we order another powder for Grace  please . They really help with all her digestive disorders. A much happier child.  Thank you” 

“Hello

I bought some probiotics from you for my daughter and they really helped the 30 day packet I had 

Would I be able to buy another box from you please for my son to try??

Many thanks”

Children’s allergies are on the raise 

Trends in Allergic Conditions Among Children: United States, 1997–2011

Kristen D. Jackson, M.P.H.; LaJeana D. Howie, M.P.H., C.H.E.S.; Lara J. Akinbami, M.D.

https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/37589/cdc_37589_DS1.pdf?download-document-submit=Download

“Allergic conditions are among the most common medical conditions affecting children in the United State.  An allergic condition is a hypersensitivity disorder in which the immune system reacts to substances in the environment that are normally considered harmless (6,7). Food or digestive allergies, skin allergies (such as eczema), and respiratory allergies (such as hay fever) are the most common allergies among children. Allergies can affect a child’s physical and emotional health and can interfere with daily activities, such as sleep, play, and attending school (8,9). A severe allergic reaction with rapid onset, anaphylaxis, can be life threatening. Foods represent the most common cause of anaphylaxis among children and adolescents (10,11). Early detection and appropriate interventions can help to decrease the negative impact of allergies on quality of life (6). This report presents recent trends in the prevalence of allergies and differences by selected sociodemographic characteristics for children under age 18 years.

The prevalence of food and skin allergies increased in

children aged 0–17 years from 1997–2011.

Key findings

Data from the National Health Interview Survey, 1997–2011

• The prevalence of food and skin allergies increased in children under age 18 years from 1997–2011.

• The prevalence of skin allergies decreased with age. In contrast, the prevalence of respiratory allergies increased with age.

•• Food and respiratory allergy prevalence increased with income level. Children with family income equal to or greater than 200% of the poverty level had the highest prevalence rates.”

The Role of Probiotics in the Management of Allergic Disease

R. J. Boyle M. L. K. Tang

First published: 26 April 2006 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2006.02472.x Cited by: 47

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2006.02472

Summary

Probiotics have recently been advocated for the prevention and treatment of allergic disease (AD). In clinical practice they are increasingly being used for these purposes. Here we review the evidence base for the use of probiotics in the management of AD. We find support for their use in the treatment of childhood eczema, but the clinical significance of any treatment effect is uncertain. There is also evidence to support the use of probiotics in the prevention of childhood eczema. However the available evidence suggests that probiotics are not an effective treatment for allergic airway diseases. Probiotics may be more effective when used early in life, and they may have a particular role in gastrointestinal AD. The relative efficacy of different probiotic strains in the management of AD is not well established, and further work is needed to establish their mechanisms of action. In summary probiotics are likely to play a part in the management of childhood eczema in the future, and further studies are warranted to precisely define their role.

Tummy Pals are specially designed for children’s sensitive digestive systems and can be beneficial in assisting the improvement of allergies and skin conditions.