[The family system and the allergic child. Notes about the role of the symptoms in family functioning].

This paper reports the role of children with some chronic disease, particularly allergic, into his/her familial system about the control of the disease (emphasizing the role of symptoms). Approach is done since a systemic perspective, where vision of isolated individual losses preponderance and the phenomenon is studied in its relational context. When family does not have the necessary resources to effectively confront a crisis, how familial functioning influences the appearing or disappearing of situations of personal and familiar risk should be explored. The symptom is the expression of some general dysfunction in familial organization and actively represents the most powerful reinforcement of the rigid familial homeostasia. Interpretation and treatment of allergic symptoms depend greatly on the form family interprets and understands its recurrence. Impact of family on chronicity of its child's allergic diseases, exacerbations and repercussions in the degree of illness' control should be studied. In cases of difficult control of the disease and when environmental control measurements, immunotherapy and pharmacological treatment do not offer the expected advantages, the family should be studied and psycotherapeutic support with trained personnel must be given.