chasing, managing, and preparing
food, plus the cost of
epinephrine pens, can exacerbate
anxiety for children and
their families, especially if
they come from low-income
families. In addition to economic
stressors, pain can also
cause anxiety. For instance,
children who are allergic to
mold and live in humid homes
in which mold can thrive, can
have flare-ups that make them
sneeze, wheeze, or cough –
these actions can stress muscles
in the neck, chest, and
back. Mold allergies can also
cause skin conditions and eye
irritation – both of which can
cause itching, stinging, and
pain.
Anxiety Can
Exacerbate
Allergy and Pain
The relationship between anxiety,
allergies, and pain, is cyclical.
As shown in an Ohio
State University study, even
slight stress and anxiety can
make allergy symptoms substantially
worse. Clearly, if
children are to stand a fighting
chance against allergies, anxiety
must be tackled in a proactive
fashion.
Keeping Anxiety
Levels Low
As a first line of defense, children
should take allergy medication
as required, to keep
symptoms to a minimum.
Children who display worry
about the effects of anxiety
when they are away from
home, can benefit from cognitive
behavioral therapy, which
will highlight the important
link between their thoughts,
feelings, and actions. Some
allergist work alongside child
psychologists who can help
children set and achieve small
behavioral ‘goals’ (these
might involve playing outside
when the sun is down, or taking
part in exercises to keep
‘feel good neurotransmitters’
flowing). Children can slowly
begin to note that by changing
one or two behaviors, they
also start to feel more in control
of their allergies, and their
anxiety.
Natural Stress
Relieving Methods
If anxiety is mild to moderate,
parents may want to try natural
methods such as meditation
and controlled breathing,
found in numerous studies to
dramatically lower levels of
stress hormone, cortisol. Apps
such as YogaGlo, Calm, and
Headspace, have many exercises
lasting just a few
minutes, which involve
breathing and meditation. Parents
can take this as a starting
point, proceeding to longer
exercises and more profound
meditations as children progress.
There is an undeniable link
between allergies, anxiety,
and pain. To put an end to the
cycle, allergies need to be diagnosed
and treated by a qualified
specialist. Treatment for
anxiety may also be needed in
severe cases. In mild to moderate
cases, natural stress relief
can form a first line of
defense and provide children
with a tool they can lean on if
allergy symptoms arise when
they are at school or away
from home.
iPain Living Magazine — 49