Helping Children's
Allergies
by Li Hua, L. Ac. TCMD
Allergies mainly include air allergies
and food allergies. The common air allergies refer to the allergic
reactions to pollen, dust, air freshener, animal hair, and molds.
The common food allergies mean the allergic reactions to dairy
products, chocolate, eggs, shellfish, strawberries and wheat. Nobody
knows why some people are allergic to certain things, but allergies
do run in families. It has been found that babies who are not breastfed
more regularly develop allergies. Allergies also can be developed
through stress, emotional unbalance, and low immunity.
Children’s immunity is lower than adults. The common symptoms
in childhood allergies are nasal congestion, coughing, tickle in
the throat, wheezing, itching, hives, /rashes, headache, fatigue
and indigestion, The same symptoms hold true for food allergies
and food intolerances, but food intolerances are due to a lack
of a certain enzyme or enzymes. Food allergies are caused by that
immune system generating an antibody response to the ingested food.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, allergies are mainly
related with the lungs and the stomach. The immune system is linked
with the Chi of all organs. Since children’s organs are weaker
than adults, it is important to regulate and strengthen their organs.
Traditional Chinese medicine is one of the best natural methods
to improve the immune system. This is holistic medicine and treats
allergies from their causes. Children who have allergies may get
colds easily, which may develop to other diseases, such as asthma,
bronchitis, pneumonia, nephritis, orchitis, or myocarditis.
Allergies may influence children’s growth. Some children
may be as tall as others who are same age, but they are weaker
than the other children and get sick more easily. Allergies may
also stunt the brain’s development. They affect children’s
moods, which may influence their social interaction and may make
it difficult for them to make friends thus leading to psychological
unbalance.
Acupuncture, Chinese herbs and Tui-Na
are used to regulate and strengthen the weak or dysfunctional organs.
Generally, little children do not cooperate with doctors to receive
acupuncture treatment. Needle-less acupuncture or TuiNa should
be selected to treat little children. Chinese herbs may be given
depending on individual condition. It is important to take children
to see doctors when they are sick, but also take them to see Chinese
medicine doctors for prevention.
Parents should prepare a balanced meal for children. Try to avoid
giving them fried foods, raw or cold foods. Teach children to eat
on time and eat a variety of foods. Teach them not to talk or watch
TV when they are eating.
Parents should see to it that children get plenty of out of door
exercise in order to strengthen their lungs, assist digestion and
improve their immune system. Parents should make time to play with
their children and listen to their conversation. This helps release
children’s stress. Since children may not express themselves
well with their limited language, parents must be careful to observe
their child’s voice, movement, moods and emotions, and give
this information to their Chinese medicine doctors.
Allergies are usually active when the seasons are changing. Children
should be treated by Chinese medicine when they are well mid-season.
In this way, they will be strong enough to face the seasons’ changing
without getting sick. They can then grow up healthy.
Contact
Li Hua L.Ac. TCMD at Atlanta Acupuncture Center or 404-250-9903 or
e-mail lihua@aac2000.com or surf her web site at www.aac2000.com
