Dr. Layton - Published Articles

COULD YOUR CHILD'S BEHAVIOR BE ALLERGY-RELATED?

With a new school year around the corner, we have decided to dedicate this space to answering some more specific questions concerning allergies as well as learning and behavior problems that have arisen since our March article titled, "Allergy: The Missing Link in Learning and Behavior Problems."

My child's teacher notes disruptive behavior, listlessness and a lack of concentration that I do not observe when he is at home. Could my child be allergic to something at his school?
Yes, your child could be allergic to something in his school environment. Allergies are broad in scope and can be caused by the food we eat and the chemicals and molds present in air and water, even our home and school. A child's body is subject to all of the sensory elements of its environment, including those present in a school environment. Often, parents will notice that their child's health and behavior become significantly worse as a week progresses. This is a strong indication that something outside the home is adversely affecting the child.

What elements in school can be causing an adverse allergic reaction in a child?

What are some of the typical symptoms associated with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and how are these conditions linked to allergies?
There are a wide variety of symptoms associated with this medical diagnosis but some of the more recognizable symptoms a child may be experiencing include:

There is a strong link between allergies, learning and behavior problems such as ADD and ADHD. Allergies affect almost every system in a child's body, especially the central nervous system, so these conditions may be undetected allergies affecting a child's brain. Treatment of ADD and ADHD should not stop with medication to control or alleviate the symptoms. A complete evaluation by a family physician or pediatric allergist is necessary to determine the underlying causes of these problems.

I suspect that my child may be suffering from allergies but am concerned about what I've heard and read about allergy testing. How is a small child tested for allergies?
Detecting allergies is sometimes a difficult task, especially in a small child. To determine a small child's sensitivity to a particular food, inhalant, or chemical, three drops of a solution of the suspected antigen are placed under the patient's tongue. If symptoms develop, it is a strong indication that the child has tested positive to a particular substance. This method is particularly effective for small children because it is not necessary to withdraw blood or administer an injection. In addition, the results of the test are almost immediate and less tedious for the child. Allergy testing can be a frightening experience for a small child. We believe, therefore, that for certain children this method of sublingual testing is effective for detecting a wide variety of allergies in children.

My pediatrician seems to be an advocate of certain drugs including Ritalin. What role should drugs play in the treatment process for learning and behavior problems?
Traditionally, drugs have been prescribed to patients to treat a symptom of a medical problem, not the underlying cause. It is important to make sure that your pediatrician or family physician undertakes a comprehensive medical evaluation of your child before prescribing any medication, especially when investigating the possibility of allergies. Many parents do not know that allergies can cause a wide range of adverse reactions in children. Ritalin prescribed appropriately can be very effective in a child with ADD or ADHD. The problem is not the medication but the indiscriminate use of Ritalin.