GuidingYour Allergic Child into the Mainstream

Abstract

We designed this book to help parents recognize, manage, and prevent their children’s allergic problems. Much of what we discuss concerns avoiding allergen contact or exposure at home. However, as every parent realizes, a child’s universe begins expanding from the day of birth, continually widening with exposure to different environments, new situations, and changed responsibilities. During their formative years, children spend many hours in school or at the homes of friends; those with working parents have lengthy periods of time at home, alone; they may celebrate holidays or special occasions more actively than adults do; they attend summer camp, travel, or vacation with their families. For the allergic child, each of these aspects of growing up represents a special circumstance and poses certain risks—risks that can be met and countered with careful planning and forethought.