What most do not know is that allergies are actually immune system disorders, and that children are especially vulnerable to skin allergies. Lack of knowledge about allergies can lead parents to further aggravate the situation by exposing children to household products such as deodorants, perfumes, and laundry detergents which can set off reactions.

What is allergy?

Allergies are actually immune-related sicknesses that are the body's response to environmental substances that, while other individuals may possibly find as harmless, could trigger allergic reactions to those who are sensitive to the said substance.

Though genes are considered to play an important role in the development of allergies, children do not necessarily inherit their parents' sensitivity to certain allergens. Heredity is not solely to blame for this immune system response, as a recent study has identified that the environment plays a role in the development of allergies. According to the book Immunobiology: The immune System in Health and Disease by Charles A. Janeway Jr., et al., changes in exposure to infectious diseases in early childhood, environmental pollution, allergen levels, and dietary changes can also encourage the development of allergies among individuals.

Skin allergies and children

Like adults, children are also susceptible to the development of skin allergies. Atopic dermatitis, one of the common skin ailments among children, usually manifests itself early on in infancy and affects 10 to 20 percent of children worldwide. Meanwhile, contact dermatitis is said to be prevalent among as many as 20 percent of infants and children.

While these statistics are troubling on their own, the lack information among parents can aggravate the condition further. Unknowingly, parents could actually be exposing their children to allergenic substances with the use of particular home products-unaware that they are actually contributing to the worsening of their children's condition.

Treatment begins at home

The first step in allergy treatment is identifying the potential trigger for allergic reactions. Isolation from the allergenic material is then the next stage to inhibit the recurrence of further allergic attacks.

While certain environmental factors outside one's home also contribute to allergic attacks, it is important to begin addressing the issue by checking those that one can easily control-such as looking at household products that have components which are established to cause allergic reactions.

Some allergy culprits that your children may be exposed to at home include nickel, which is commonly found in buttons, belts and jewelry; harsh soaps and detergents; fiberglass particles in toys; and even body oils and powder. These can cause mild to severe allergic reactions among children, depending on factors such as length of exposure and sensitivity to the substance.

As with many sicknesses, prevention is better than cure when it comes to skin allergies. It is important to opt for hypoallergenic alternatives for common household products, such as the Del Hypoallergenic Fabric Softener, which has been tested to be skin-friendly even for children.

Catherine Apodaca, product manager for Del Hypoallergenic Fabric Softener, Parents should make SUK that the household products they use pose no danger to their kids. Harsh chemicals are the main causes for most kids to have skin reactions such as itching, rashes and hives."

Because of this growing concern, Del leads the drive in propagating this fact among parents and concerned individuals with the Allergy Awareness Program. This consciousness campaign aims to make known that skin allergy is a serious problem among children that needs to be addressed. The program propagates its message through an amusing story that zeroes in on the discomfort that children may suffer from skin allergies. The book, entitled Itchy the Grump, is a tale about a kid named itchy who is always unpleasant and grumpy because of the allergies he has been suffering from. It takes a humorous twist when itchy suddenly breaks into dance as he furiously tries to scratch hard to reach parts.

Log on to www.wearitchfreeclothes.com to view the Itchy Dance and to read the itchy the Grump book. The book was made more interactive by encouraging parents to upload videos and photos of their kids for the itchy the Grump Contest.