Volume 7 Issue 2 Page 1 of 2
Spring 2007
News & Updates
2007 INA Conference to be
held in Alexandria, VA
International Nanny Association's 22nd Annual Conference will be in Alexandria, Virginia May 17-20, 2007. Workshops include Communication Tools, Nanny Careers, Nutrition for Kids, Family Dynamics and more. For more information, visit www.nanny.org
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Kids' Website Corner Special
This month's picks:
National Geographic Kids
Get ready to have a wild and fun time at National Geographic Kids! This brand-new
site offers visitors a wide variety of original games, creative activities,
true stories of adventure and discovery, and videos of wildlife and cool
places from around the world ... so get out there and have some fun!
Address:
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
Creatingmusic.com is a children's online creative music environment for children
of all ages. It's a place for kids to compose music, play with musical performance,
music games and music puzzles. Come discover fun and easy ways to make music!
Address: www.creatingmusic.com/
Cartoon Critters
Offers dozens of cartoons to print and color, and coloring books with pictures
that you can color online. Also includes graphic step-by-step instructions
on how to draw cartoons, online games you can play, and crafts.
Address: www.cartooncritters.com/
What every caregiver should
know about allergies
By Shandley McMurray, from Kaboose.com
Do allergies affect your child? Here's what you need to know to help prevent and treat allergy symptoms.
What are allergies?
An allergy is caused when a person's immune system attacks a harmless substance, such as pollen, animal dander or peanuts. Because your body thinks the particle is dangerous, it releases chemicals such as histamine to protect itself. The result: red, itchy eyes, sneezing, hives or the potentially life-threatening anaphylactic shock.
The most common allergies are divided into two categories - food and non-food. Popular triggers for the former include milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, soy, corn and wheat. According to Dr. Sami Bahna, Chief of the Allergy & Immunology section of Louisiana Sate University Health Sciences Centre in Shreveport, Louisiana, food allergy is more common in children than in adults, affecting almost 6 percent of children. And the majority of cases happen before a child reaches her first birthday.
Non-food allergy sufferers are mostly allergic to dust mites, furry pets, mold, and the pollens of grass, trees and weeds. Their symptoms can be easily aggravated by inhaled irritants such as cigarette smoke, fragrance, cleaning solutions and fresh paint.
Allergy symptoms
Allergy symptoms range in type and severity and often depend on the child's age. "Most children [under five] have relatively mild outdoor allergies," says Dr. Frank Virant, Clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. So you may not notice any symptoms. Those older than five may suffer from itchy, red eyes, a clear, drippy nose and excessive sneezing, chronic cough, recurrent colds, eczema and nightly nasal congestion. Secondary problems may include recurrent middle ear problems, sinus infections and asthma.
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