Allergies in Children

Although any child may develop allergies, some children are more likely to be affected than others. For example, children with a family history of allergic reactions are at a higher risk of developing allergies themselves, which suggests a genetic susceptibility.

It is important for parents to be aware of common signs that may be indicative of an allergic reaction in children as this can help to identify allergies and improve the child’s quality of life. These signs may include:

  • Frequent sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes or coughing
  • Recurring skin rash or hives
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Stomach upset, cramps or nausea after eating certain foods
Image Copyright: all_about_people / Shutterstock
Image Copyright: all_about_people / Shutterstock

Triggers

Certain factors can sometimes trigger an allergic reaction in children. These may include:

  • Pollen from trees and plants
  • Insect bites or stings
  • Animal hair or fur
  • Dust mites and mold
  • Cigarette smoke or car exhaust
  • Peanuts, eggs and milk products

Where possible, it is useful to identify the causative trigger so that it can be avoided or exposure to it can be reduced in the future. For example, the fur from a pet cat may cause allergic symptoms a child so giving the cat away to another home may be a good option. Alternatively, avoiding outdoors during seasons with high pollen count may help people who have allergy triggered by pollen.

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is the most common type of allergy in children. It causes symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion. The eyes and ears may also be affected by becoming red and itchy.

Nasal congestion can often be caused by allergic rhinitis and makes it difficult for the child to breathe, particularly during the night when they are sleeping. As a result, affected children may sleep poorly and suffer from daytime fatigue. Without treatment, a tendency to breathe through the mouth rather than the congested nose can also lead to abnormal development of the teeth and facial bones.

Allergies can also lead to inflammation and accumulation of fluid in the ear, which can cause recurrent ear infections. In severe cases, this can also interfere with the child’s ability to hear, and impairment may also affect the child’s ability to learn to speak.

It is, therefore, important that the allergies are managed appropriately to reduce the impact of allergic rhinitis and associated complications. This may include avoidance of allergy triggers and medication to reduce the allergic reaction in some cases.

Food Allergies

Food allergies are common among children and infants. Possible trigger foods may include peanuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat.

Occasionally some babies who breastfeed may have a reaction to breast milk when their mother eats certain foods. If this is suspected, the baby can be tested for allergies and the mother may need to avoid certain foods to reduce the child’s exposure to the trigger.

When infants begin to transition to solid foods, it is important that each new food is introduced separately. This helps to identify the causative food if an allergic reaction does occur so that it can be avoided in the future. Foods that commonly cause allergic reactions, such as peanuts, eggs, dairy and wheat should be avoided in the first 12 months of life.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that causes difficulty breathing, reduced blood pressure and shock. As it has the potential to be fatal, all parents who have a child with a food allergy should be aware of the possibility and know how to treat the reaction with epinephrine, if required. Additionally, the school or childcare center should be informed of any allergies that a child has and have a copy of the allergy action plan so that they can deal with a reaction if it occurs.

References

Further Reading

Last Updated: Dec 30, 2022

Yolanda Smith

Written by

Yolanda Smith

Yolanda graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia and has experience working in both Australia and Italy. She is passionate about how medicine, diet and lifestyle affect our health and enjoys helping people understand this. In her spare time she loves to explore the world and learn about new cultures and languages.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Smith, Yolanda. (2022, December 30). Allergies in Children. News-Medical. Retrieved on October 31, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Allergies-in-Children.aspx.

  • MLA

    Smith, Yolanda. "Allergies in Children". News-Medical. 31 October 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Allergies-in-Children.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Smith, Yolanda. "Allergies in Children". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Allergies-in-Children.aspx. (accessed October 31, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Smith, Yolanda. 2022. Allergies in Children. News-Medical, viewed 31 October 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Allergies-in-Children.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Nanoparticles offer new hope for treating red meat allergies linked to tick bites