Balancing Act

What are allergy health issues and what are normal childhood ailments? This is a question I constantly ask myself and it can be a real balancing act.

We have just spent the last two days in a medical whirlwind, trying to establish whether my daughters mouth breathing is being caused my her allergies or by a structural issue in her nasal passage. Caution needs to be taken every step of the way, as normal ailments which all kids experience can easily be overlooked, whilst we deal with the many confronting aspects of our children's allergy responses.

Reflecting on what is needed:-

1) Have an allergist you trust and who has a long term investment in your child and who is not worried about spending time with you to discuss various issues. (without is costing you per minute) We have two, plus an amazingly well informed dietician.

2) Keep reading over your allergy information, it is easy to assume you know it all about your child and you can easily overlook very simple but crucial pieces of information.

3) Keep a medical diary, recording illnesses, ailments, weather conditions, treatments. This is a great way of collating information which informs the medical profession and also your allergy management approach.

4) Review the medical information, as children grow their condition changes, at least annual follow up with the allergist with updates from the medical diary are always useful. Also check with medical specialists that the way your children are taking their medication is still effective. e.g. the size of spacers change as they grow from toddler to adolescent.

5) I have this great friend who has been on our allergy journey from the start she knows the whole picture and has held my hand through some of the toughest times. It is wonderful having a friend who you can rant and rave to about the issues you need to deal with and they get it, without you needing to spell everything out.

6) Try and keep a balanced view, all parents have to deal with medical issues with their children, we just have a few more.

7) Create space and time with your child to discuss why you have to go and see specialists, the purpose of blood tests, and acknowledge that it may seem unfair, whilst keeping a realistic stance that it is part of "life". There are no one off blood tests, allergy tests etc for our kids it is something that they have to learn to get used to, which is hard but a reality.

8) Make sure you give yourself space and time to process allergy appointments. A lot of information is normally given and normally within a medical setting. This can take its toll and it is worth ensuring that you acknowledge this for your and your child. Do something nice together to celebrate that the appointment is behind you. Again check in with your child their perspective of the appointment to ensure they are not left with any inaccurate information.

8) Last but not least, maintain a sense of humour! It is hard at times but in most situations there really is something to laugh at!

I am sure i've left some information out, but this is all for now.......