By: Natasha Archary
It’s allergy season and with many parents and children picking up the sniffles, coughs and other flu-like symptoms, it might be a good idea to prepare yourself before the onset of more severe infections.
Before you trust Dr. Google with your health, or stress about every lump, bump or sneeze, get to know the signals your body gives you which could be a sign of an underlying condition or allergies.
Dr. C Snyders, a pediatrician shared some insight into the “not-so-obvious” signals your body gives you and what these could mean.
“Not every cough or runny nose deserves a terrifying dash to the emergency room. Unless there’s a fever, blood or your child is struggling to breath or clearly in distress, parents need to know that they can manage a lot of symptoms at home without panicking.”
Dr. C Snyders shares some of the signals your body gives you before the onset of something more serious
The subtle signals your body gives you
Mild headaches
If you have been getting headaches regularly lately, it could be a result of a lack of sleep. According to Dr. Snyders, children can and do also get headaches from as early as two years old.
Over stimulation can cause their eyes to strain and trigger mild headaches. Which is why, midday naps are so important for infants and children up to the age of 5.
Red splotches on the skin
This is the first sign of an allergic reaction, which can be brought on by a change in diet or moisturisers and bath products. Isolating the affected area with a topical ointment for skin irritations may help and most over the counter products work just fine. However, for more serious skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, speak to your physician who may refer you to a dermatologist.
Constant post nasal drip
Come rain or shine, your nose is like a leaky tap that just won’t run dry. Post nasal drip that lasts for more than a week is a clear sign of allergies.
To find out the cause you may need an allergy test to determine your triggers and to help manage them for a tissue free life.
Bad breath
Halitosis could just be a sign of poor dental hygiene but in most cases it can also be an indicator of more serious health conditions. Doctors often associate bad breath with chronic conditions such as diabetes.
It could also be your body’s not so subtle cue that you are dehydrated and not drinking enough water throughout the day.
Dizziness
Feeling light-headed and dizzy is not something you should take lightly. It’s risky driving when you’re feeling this way and you should never ignore it hoping it will go away.
The most common reason for dizziness is a low blood glucose level or low or high blood pressure. The first thing you should do is get screened for diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure.
If your tests are all normal and your dizzy spells are still occurring, you may be referred to a specialist. But usually, you will just need to close your eyes for a few minutes and eat or drink something sweet.
Shortness of breath
Again, do not overlook this symptom. If you feel you struggle to get air into your lungs and struggle to breathe, consult your doctor immediately. This could be the first indicator of asthma, wheezing or other bronchial conditions.
Some symptoms can be managed with a quick trip to the pharmacy and may be cured with an all-natural home remedy. Then there are the more serious signs that something more could be brewing beneath the surface of your skin.
Use your discretion and trust your mommy or daddy instincts. Family safety is always the priority and when in doubt always consult your doctor.
Make sure your first aid kits are well stocked and all meds are within expiry dates because it’s better prepared than sorry.
Also read: It’s true: You cannot get flu from the cold weather
