Allergy No More

In a perfect world, all kids are happy and smiling like nothing could ever go wrong in their little Wonderland.

In reality, however, young children are easily susceptible to all kinds of discomforts such as allergies. Allergy experts in the Philippines relate that there have been an increasing number of allergy-related diseases over the years. Children in particular are the most sensitive to allergens, causing most of them to turn irritable and grumpy. And surprisingly, many common allergens are found in the home.

In the country, skin allergies among children are health conditions which are often taken for granted. Unlike colds and coughs, which most parents see as reason enough to head to the nearest drugstore, skin allergies are perceived to be normal, and thus, is not a cause for alarm.

But this apathy towards the condition should not continue. According to allergy experts in the Philippines, there have been an increasing number of allergy-related diseases over the years. And with the Filipino public not yet fully educated about this growing problem, it is expected that more and more cases shall continue to arise.

What most do not know is that allergies are actually immune system disorders, and that children are especially vulnerable to skin allergies. Lack of knowledge about allergies can lead parents to further aggravate the situation by exposing children to household products such as deodorants, perfumes, and laundry detergents which can set off reactions.

Thus, it is vital to educate one’s self with these substances and then eliminate the products with these substances from household use altogether, or if possible substitute them with hypoallergenic alternatives to prevent future allergy episodes.

Allergies are actually immune-related sicknesses that are the body’s response to environmental substances that, while other individuals may possibly find as harmless, could trigger allergic reactions to those who are sensitive to the said substance.

Though genes are considered to play an important role in the development of allergies, children do not necessarily inherit their parents’ sensitivity to certain allergens. Heredity is not solely to blame for this immune system response, as a recent study has identified that the environment plays a role in the development of allergies. According to the book “Immunobiology : The Immune System in Health and Disease” by Charles A. Janeway Jr., et al., changes in exposure to infectious diseases in early childhood, environmental pollution, allergen levels, and dietary changes can also encourage the development of allergies among individuals.

The first step in allergy treatment is identifying the potential trigger for allergic reactions. Isolation from the allergenic material is then the next stage to inhibit the recurrence of further allergic attacks.

While certain environmental factors outside one’s home also contribute to allergic attacks, it is important to begin addressing the issue by checking those that one can easily control – such as looking at household products that have components which are established to cause allergic reactions.

Some allergy culprits that your children may be exposed to at home include nickel, which is commonly found in buttons, belts and jewelry; harsh soaps and detergents; fiberglass particles in toys; and even body oils and powder. These can cause mild to severe allergic reactions among children, depending on factors such as length of exposure and sensitivity to the substance.

As with many sicknesses, prevention is better than cure when it comes to skin allergies. It is important to opt for hypoallergenic alternatives for common household products, such as the recently-introduced Del Hypoallergenic Fabric Softener, which has been tested to be skin-friendly even for children.

Without doubt, the rising phenomenon of skin allergies needs to elicit a proactive response from everyone, especially among parents for their children’s sake. That is why it is important to be constantly vigilant in identifying whether the products one uses actually poses a threat to one’s health, and conceive of a proper action to address it.

The days of non-stop itching are now over.

“Children are regularly exposed to items that we don’t know can be allergenic, such as nickel which is found in buttons and jewelry; fiberglass toys; and even common household products like shampoos and detergents,” says Catherine Apodaca, Product Manager for Del Hypoallergenic Fabric Softener.

Skin allergies, considered to be a growing epidemic among children, have come to the attention of Del Fabric Softener. Being one of the top fabric softener brands in the Philippines, Del rises to answer an unmet consumer need of having a fabric softener that is safe for the whole family, even kids, to use.

Health experts recommend that parents use laundry products that are skin-friendly when washing their children’s clothes to avoid contact dermatitis, a skin reaction caused by exposure to certain allergens. Del Hypoallergenic Fabric Softener is dermatologically-tested safe even for children’s delicate skin. Its skin-friendly formula has a gentle scent and contains no artificial colorants, leaving skin safe from allergies while making clothes soft and mildly fragrant.

Also, through their newest hypoallergenic variant, Del begins a campaign that is intended to better educate moms on the issue of allergies and make them more conscious of possible ways to control the condition.