Stress increases your child’s allergy risk

The stress and allergy link

Moving house or the separation of parents can significantly increase the risk of children developing allergies such as asthma and dermatitis, according to a long-term European study into lifestyle, immune system development and allergies.

Both dramatic life events (such as the separation of parents) and more harmless seeming events (such as moving house) are suspected of increasing the risk of allergies for the children affected. Researchers found increased levels of stress-related substances and immune markers linked to allergic reactions in the blood of children whose parents had separated over the last year.

By comparison, serious diseases or the death of close relatives led to no remarkable changes. Likewise, the unemployment of parents was not associated with increased concentrations of the stress-related peptides in the children’s blood. As tragic as these events are, they were less significant for the stress reactions of children than, for example, a separation or the divorce of parents.

Previous research has shown a link between increased concentration of the particular stress-related substance seen in the children (neuropeptide VIP) and allergic sensitizations among 6-year old children.

Many things can cause your child stress. Toddlers and preschoolers may suffer from it when they’re separated from you; older kids will be affected by the demands of school work and problems that may occur with friends. If your child has a packed activities schedule or you have unrealistically high expectations for their academic or sporting success, these too can cause your child stress. Your stress is also a factor – if you’re anxious because of financial or work issues or you’re not getting along with your partner this can indirectly impact on your child.

It’s not always easy to recognize when your child is stressed but there are some signs you can look out for. A young child might regress – for example, refuse to use the potty or start sucking his thumb. Older kids might experience mood swings, act up, have nightmares or start wetting the bed. Some children experience physical effects, such as stomachaches or headaches and an older child’s grades may start to slip as he finds it hard to concentrate; or he may become withdrawn and spend more time alone. Others have trouble concentrating or completing schoolwork. Still others become withdrawn or spend a lot of time alone.

Help your child cope with stress…

• Be there for him If you work the evening rush can mean you spend little quality time with your child. Make a point of spending 10-15 minutes with him when you get home, talking through what happened in his day.
• Prepare for stressful situations Anticipate the events and circumstances that are likely to cause your child stress – for example, a trip to the doctor – and give him plenty of warning ahead of time.
• Cut him some slack Discuss what might be stressing your child out and see if you can come to a compromise to reduce it – for example, you might want to modify his schedule if he has activities every day after school.
• Get him some help if his stress is causing him severe problems and any behavioral difficulties persist.

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