Motherly Love Summer 2021

Itchy and scratchy
Dr Anisa Vahed shares information and advice on
allergies common in children
An allergy is an
unusual
response by
the body to an
allergen that’s
normally
harmless. Allergic diseases are the
most common chronic diseases of
childhood. A third of South Africans
will suffer from some allergic
diseases during their life, with 40% of
allergy sufferers being children.
These allergies can markedly
affect quality of life and learning
potential, and can be fatal. The most
common conditions are eczema,
asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever),
food allergy and anaphylaxis.
Allergies may run in families and
are not diagnosed and managed
optimally. Many conditions can also
mimic allergies and it’s important to
differentiate these from true allergic
conditions.
Allergies can manifest as:
• A food allergy in response to a
harmless food such as cow’s milk,
eggs or peanuts.
• A respiratory allergen in the air
such as house dust mites or pollen
can manifest as nasal or chest
symptoms.
• Drug allergy from certain
medications like penicillin.
• Rashes such as eczema or hives.
COMMON ALLERGY
DISEASES
Asthma
Asthma is the most common lifethreatening
chronic disease of
childhood. Asthma can’t be cured;
however, with regular treatment, it
can be controlled and the symptoms
prevented. It causes school
absenteeism through its requirement
for regular preventative doctors’
visits as well as unscheduled
absenteeism if symptoms occur.
Asthma may limit children’s
participation in classroom activities,
sports and academic events.
In South Africa, asthma is
presently the third most common
illness resulting in hospitalisation
and has the third highest asthma
death rate in the world—yet wellmanaged
asthmatics should be able
to live a normal life. As many as 80%
of asthmatics will also have allergic
rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is a common
condition where there’s swelling and