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Smile Health Magazine Proudly Presents: With Ms. Owusuaa Gyimah-Addo, A Special Dialogue on Health & Hope : Smile Magazine.

Article Title – “New Life and Good Health”

Shaping the Future Through a Healthy, Vibrant Life

COMING FRIDAY, 13TH JUNE 2025

EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

“New Life and Good Health”

Dealing with Allergies Correctly: Early Detection of the Cause is Important!

Join Ms. Owusuaa Gyimah-Addo in this powerful and practical edition of Smile Magazine, where she dives deep into one of today’s most pressing health concerns affecting children and families across Ghana: Food Allergies.

Contents

Smile Health Magazine Proudly Presents: With Ms. Owusuaa Gyimah-Addo, A Special Dialogue on Health & Hope : Smile Magazine.Article Title – “New Life and Good Health”Shaping the Future Through a Healthy, Vibrant Life COMING FRIDAY, 13TH JUNE 2025 EXCLUSIVE FEATURE “New Life and Good Health” Dealing with Allergies Correctly: Early Detection of the Cause is Important!Why This Matters What Is a Food Allergy?Identifying the Cause Is the First Step Common Culprits to Watch For: Symptoms to Watch:Don’t Self-Diagnose The Role of Steroids in Allergy Management 🧠 TIPS AT A GLANCE:Prologue: A New Chapter in Health & Hope: Introduction for Our Readers The Dialogue Begins A Healthy Life Starts With Understanding Key Signs and Smart Steps Takeaways at a Glance ✅ What It Is:Why It Matters: In Summary:What Is a Food Allergy? What Happens During a Food Allergy? What You Can Do Remember:📨 Final Note to Our Readers

Why This Matters

In Ghana, nearly 10% of infants and toddlers are affected by food allergies—and that number is growing. Linked to other conditions like asthma and atopic dermatitis, these allergies can impact your child’s growth, health, and quality of life.

Allergies? In Ghana, the number of children suffering from food allergies is increasing each year. It is estimated that around 10% of infants and toddlers have food allergies. These allergies are often linked to other allergic conditions, such as asthma and atopic dermatitis. Many families may find themselves asking: “Will my child have to deal with allergies into adulthood?” or “Why aren’t they outgrowing these allergies?” Food allergies can trigger skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and may worsen asthma symptoms. Recognising and managing these allergies early can make a big difference.

In This Feature, You’ll Discover:

What Is a Food Allergy?

Understanding how allergies affect your child’s body and why early detection is vital.

Identifying the Cause Is the First Step

Why some allergies fade over time, and how to know what to eliminate without risking nutrition.

Common Culprits to Watch For:

🥚 Eggs
🥛 Milk
🌾 Wheat

Symptoms to Watch:

Sneezing, wheezing, hives, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, and more
Signs of anaphylaxis—a medical emergency

Don’t Self-Diagnose

Testing at home is dangerous. Always consult a paediatrician or allergist before removing foods or starting treatments.

The Role of Steroids in Allergy Management

Learn the truth about steroid treatments for asthma and skin flare-ups—why underuse can be just as harmful as overuse. When used properly, these medications are safe, effective, and life-changing.

🧠 TIPS AT A GLANCE:

Watch for early signs
Don’t self-diagnose
Consult a medical expert
Know the common food triggers
Read food labels carefully
Follow proper medication use

📩 Don’t miss this empowering edition!
📅 Releasing Friday, 13th June 2025
Only in Smile Health Magazine, where healthy living begins with smart choices.

Prologue: A New Chapter in Health & Hope:

Welcome to this special edition of Smile Health Magazine, where wellness meets wisdom, and every page is a step toward a healthier future.

In today’s fast-changing world, parents and caregivers face growing challenges when it comes to raising strong, healthy children. Among these challenges, food allergies have become an urgent concern—one that touches homes, schools, and hearts across Ghana.

This issue is dedicated to helping families face allergies correctly, not with fear, but with knowledge, care, and confidence.

We bring you expert insights from Ms. Owusuaa Gyimah-Addo as she guides us through the critical importance of early detection, the right treatment, and informed choices. Together, we’ll uncover how to recognise the signs, avoid harmful assumptions, and protect what matters most—our children’s health and future.

Let this be more than a health update. Let it be a call to action, a source of reassurance, and a toolkit for every parent striving to raise children who are not only allergy-free but full of life, potential, and joy.

Introduction for Our Readers

Berla Mundi is one of Ghana’s most respected broadcast journalists and a passionate advocate for youth development, mental health, and women’s empowerment. With years of experience hosting some of Ghana’s most-watched programs, she is known for her warmth, intellect, and integrity.

Ms. Owusuaa Gyimah-Addo is a health and wellbeing advocate and public educator, well-loved for her community-based approach to wellness. She leads the conversation at Hair Senta Salon, where beauty meets health consciousness, and where women gather not only to look their best but to learn how to live well.

Together, these two inspiring women sit down to open the pages of this issue’s Smile Magazine feature:
“Dealing with Allergies Correctly – Early Detection of the Cause is Important!”

The Dialogue Begins

Berla Mundi:
Welcome, Nana Owusuaa. You said, and I quote: “A Healthy Life is a Creative Life.” That really struck a chord with our readers, many of whom are eager to hear more. What inspired this powerful thought?

Nana Owusuaa Gyimah-Addo:
Thank you, Berla, for your kind and respectful introduction. It’s a joy to be here.

Yes, there’s growing interest in the subject of health, especially among the vibrant women who visit Hair Senta Salon. I’m often astonished by how well-informed many of my customers are about the latest medical research. In particular, there’s been a strong response to this feature’s topic:
“Dealing with Allergies Correctly – Early Detection of the Cause is Important.”

Many parents come in worried. They’ve noticed unexplained skin rashes, chronic sneezing, or digestive upsets in their children. These aren’t just seasonal changes—they’re often signs of food allergies, a rising concern in Ghana.

Berla Mundi:
That’s such an important point. And the data backs it up. Nearly 10% of Ghanaian infants and toddlers are now estimated to have food allergies. That’s a significant number!

Nana Owusuaa Gyimah-Addo:
Exactly. And it’s not just the allergies—it’s the associated risks. Many of these children also struggle with asthma or atopic dermatitis, which are often linked. Families are left asking: “Will this ever end?” or “Why isn’t my child outgrowing these allergies?”

What they need is clarity, and that begins with early detection.

A Healthy Life Starts With Understanding

Nana Owusuaa (continued):
Let’s first understand what a food allergy is. It’s the immune system overreacting to a harmless substance, most commonly eggs, milk, or wheat. When triggered, the body responds with symptoms like vomiting, swelling, rashes, or even anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.

The good news is: some food allergies fade with age. The bad news? Self-diagnosing or removing too many foods can harm a child’s growth and development. That’s why we stress: don’t go it alone—get professional help.

Berla Mundi:
Absolutely. And many of our readers may not be aware that there is a Food Oral Challenge Test. It helps determine exactly which foods trigger reactions, under medical supervision. That can be life-changing for families!

Key Signs and Smart Steps

Nana Owusuaa:
Exactly, Berla. Here’s what we emphasise in this issue:

Watch for common symptoms: sneezing, hives, hoarseness, fatigue, digestive issues
Recognise signs of an emergency: anaphylaxis needs immediate attention
And most importantly: Don’t self-diagnose. It’s risky and often misleading

We also talk about safe steroid use—a topic filled with misunderstanding. Many parents fear side effects, so they skip or underuse prescribed treatments. But with proper dosage and medical guidance, modern steroids are safe and essential in managing asthma and skin allergies.

Takeaways at a Glance

Berla Mundi:
Let’s wrap this part with some of the golden tips from the article:

🩺 Consult a medical expert
👀 Watch for early signs
⚖️ Avoid unnecessary food restrictions
📋 Read food labels carefully
💊 Use medications as prescribed

Nana Owusuaa Gyimah-Addo:
Exactly. Health is not just the absence of illness—it’s about giving our children the opportunity to grow, thrive, and live joyfully. And that starts with awareness, early action, and proper care.

Berla-Mundi: Is food allergy a disease?

Nana-Owusuaa Gyimah-Addo: Great question.

A food allergy is not a disease, but rather a medical condition or immune system disorder.

Here’s how to understand it clearly:

✅ What It Is:

A food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless food protein (like milk, eggs, or peanuts) as a threat. In response, it triggers a defensive reaction, which can range from mild (rashes, sneezing, stomach upset) to severe (anaphylaxis, a life-threatening emergency).

So, it’s a disorder of the immune system, not a disease like malaria or diabetes, but it can still have serious health effects.

Why It Matters:

It affects quality of life, especially in children.
It can lead to other allergic conditions like asthma or eczema.
If unmanaged, it can cause nutritional issues, growth delays, or severe allergic reactions.

In Summary:

Not a disease in the traditional sense.
Yes, a serious medical condition requiring early diagnosis, proper treatment, and ongoing management.

What Is a Food Allergy?

Imagine your body is like a superhero team 🦸 — always watching out for bad guys (like germs and viruses).

But sometimes, your superhero team makes a mistake. It thinks something good, like milk, eggs, or peanuts, is a bad guy.
So it sounds the alarm 🚨 and starts fighting, even though the food isn’t really dangerous.

This is called a food allergy.

What Happens During a Food Allergy?

When your body starts fighting the food:

Your skin might itch or get red bumps (hives) 🐞
Your tummy might hurt 🤢
You might sneeze or cough 🤧
Or in serious cases, it can be hard to breathe 😮‍💨 — and you need help right away

What You Can Do

Tell a grown-up if a food makes you feel sick
Don’t share food at school unless you’re sure it’s safe
Always check with a doctor before trying new foods if you’ve reacted before
Your body isn’t broken — it’s just trying to protect you in the wrong way!

Remember:

Having a food allergy doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It just means your body needs a little extra help knowing what’s safe.

With the right help, you can stay happy, healthy, and strong 💪🍎🌈

📨 Final Note to Our Readers

Berla Mundi:
We invite everyone to explore this vital edition of Smile Magazine, coming Friday, 13th June 2025. It’s not just about food allergies—it’s about shaping a future where health empowers creativity, confidence, and community.