Does your child have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)? Don't feel alone, we're here to help!

Has your child suddenly developed a rash, difficulty breathing, or swollen eyes and mouth after eating certain foods or being bitten by an insect? As a parent , how scared do you feel at such times? "Is this a normal allergy, or is it something more serious?" You may be wondering. We call this type of severe, sudden allergic reaction anaphylaxis . This is a medical emergency that can be life-threatening. But don't panic. Today, we'll talk about how to properly manage this condition and who can help you.

First thing to do: See a specialist

If you have even the slightest suspicion that your child has a severe allergy like this, the most important thing to do is to take your child to a doctor. Your family doctor will often refer you to a doctor who specializes in this. We call them a Pediatric Allergist or Immunologist .

This specialist doctor is the main person who will help your child. He will do the following:

• Testing: Various tests (blood tests, skin tests) are performed to find out exactly what the child is allergic to ( allergy triggers ).
• A treatment plan is provided: A treatment plan is developed to suit the child's condition.
• Educate you: You will be clearly told how to manage your child's allergies and what to do in an emergency.

You are not alone! Let's build your 'Support Team'

Finding out that a child has a severe allergy can be a huge stressor for parents. You have to worry about your child all the time, and think a hundred times about what they should eat and drink. But you don't have to carry this burden alone. There are a lot of people who can help you.

1. Your family and closest friends

Your greatest strength is your own family and your closest friends. A mother named Anna says her son has severe food allergies and asthma, but his biggest support comes from his extended family.

The most important thing is to educate them correctly .

"Involve your family and close friends in this. Explain what your child is allergic to. Teach them how to use an epinephrine auto-injector in an emergency. Show them how to read the label on a food package. The more everyone knows about this, the safer the child will be," say parents with experience in this regard.

2. Life-saving device: Epinephrine Auto-Injector

This is the most important thing to save a child's life in the event of anaphylaxis. It is a pre-filled injection that looks like a pen.

Even after this injection, it is imperative to take the child to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) because symptoms may reappear once the medicine wears off.

3. Support Groups

Meeting and talking to other parents who have the same problems as their child will give you a lot of mental strength. Then you will realize that you are not alone.

When a mother named Eleanor found out that her son had severe allergies, there were no support groups in her area. So she started one. “It’s so important to have this kind of support, especially when your child is newly diagnosed. It’s a great relief to know that I’m not alone,” she says.

It can be a bit difficult to find such specialized support groups in Sri Lanka. However, there are now international online support groups on the Internet, especially on social media like Facebook. Joining them and learning from other parents' experiences can also be very helpful.

Anaphylaxis, severe allergies, children's health, epinephrine, first aid, allergy treatment, parenting advice