Allergies in Children
An allergy is when the body’s defense system (immune system) overreacts to a substance that your child breathes in or eats, or something that touches your child’s skin.
When your child comes into contact with something that she or he is allergic to (allergen), your child’s immune system produces certain proteins (antibodies). These proteins cause cells to release chemicals (histamines)that trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Allergies in children often affect the nasal passages (allergic rhinitis), eyes (allergic conjunctivitis), skin (atopic dermatitis), and digestive system. Allergies can be mild or severe. Allergies cannot spread from person to person (arenot contagious). They can develop at any age and may be outgrown.
What are the causes?
Allergies can be caused by any substance that your child’s immune system mistakenly targets as harmful. These may include:
- Outdoor allergens, such as pollen, grass, weeds, car exhaust, and mold spores.
- Indoor allergens, such as dust, smoke, mold, and pet dander.
- Foods, especially peanuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, nuts, and wheat.
- Medicines, such as penicillin.
- Skin irritants, such as detergents, chemicals, and latex.
- Perfume.
- Insect bites or stings.
What increases the risk?
Your child may be at greater risk of allergies if other people in your family have allergies.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms depend on what type of allergy your child has. They may include:
- Runny, stuffy nose.
- Sneezing.
- Itchy mouth, ears, or throat.
- Postnasal drip.
- Sore throat.
- Itchy, red, watery, or puffy eyes.
- Skin rash or hives.
- Stomach pain.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Bloating.
- Wheezing or coughing.
Children with a severe allergy to food, medicine, or an insect sting may have a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- Hives.
- Itching.
- Flushed face.
- Swollen lips, tongue, or mouth.
- Tight or swollen throat.
- Chest pain or tightness in the chest.
- Trouble breathing.
- Chest pain.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Pain in the abdomen.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed based on:
- Your child’s symptoms.
- Your child’s family and medical history.
- A physical exam.
Your child may need to see a health care provider who specializes in treating allergies (allergist). Your child may also have tests, including:
- Skin
tests to see which allergens are causing your child’s symptoms, such as:
- Skin prick test. In this test, your child’s skin is pricked with a tiny needle and exposed to small amounts of possible allergens to see if the skin reacts.
- Intradermal skin test. In this test, a small amount of allergen is injected under the skin to see if the skin reacts.
- Patch test. In this test, a small amount of allergen is placed on your child’s skin, then the skin is covered with a bandage. Your child’s health care provider will check the skin after a couple of days to see if your child has developed a rash.
- Blood tests.
- Challenge tests. In this test, your child inhales a small amount of allergen by mouth to see if she or he has an allergic reaction.
Your child may also be asked to:
- Keep a food diary. A food diary is a record of all the foods and drinks that your child has in a day and any symptoms that he or she experiences.
- Practice an elimination diet. An elimination diet involves eliminating specific foods from your child’s diet and then adding them back in one by one to find out if a certain food causes an allergic reaction.
How is this treated?
Treatment for allergies depends on your child’s age and symptoms. Treatment may include:
- Cold compresses to soothe itching and swelling.
- Eye drops.
- Nasal sprays.
- Using a saline solution to flush out the nose (nasal irrigation). This can help clear away mucus and keep the nasal passages moist.
- Using a humidifier.
- Oral antihistamines or other medicines to block allergic reaction and inflammation.
- Skin creams to treat rashes or itching.
- Diet changes to eliminate food allergy triggers.
- Repeated
exposure to tiny amounts of allergens to build up a tolerance and prevent
future allergic reactions (immunotherapy). These include:
- Allergy shots.
- Oral treatment. This involves taking small doses of an allergen under the tongue (sublingual immunotherapy).
- Emergency epinephrine injection (auto-injector) in case of an allergic emergency. This is a self-injectable, pre-measured medicine that must be given within the first few minutes of a serious allergic reaction.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Help your child avoid known allergens whenever possible.
- If your child suffers from airborne allergens, wash out your child’s nose daily. You can do this with a saline spray or rinse.
- Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.
- If your child is at risk of anaphylaxis, make sure he or she has an auto-injector available at all times.
- If your child has ever had anaphylaxis, have him or her wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace that states he or she has a severe allergy.
- Talk with your child’s school staff and caregivers about your child’s allergies and how to prevent an allergic reaction. Develop an emergency plan with instructions on what to do if your child has a severe allergic reaction.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your child’s symptoms do not improve with treatment.
Get help right away if:
- Your
child has symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as:
- Swollen mouth, tongue, or throat.
- Pain or tightness in the chest.
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Summary
- Allergies are a result of the body overreacting to substances like pollen, dust, mold, food, medicines, household chemicals, or insect stings.
- Help your child avoid known allergens when possible. Make sure that school staff and other caregivers are aware of your child’s allergies.
- If your child has a history of anaphylaxis, make sure he or she wears a medical alert bracelet and carries an auto-injector at all times.
- A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is a life-threatening emergency. Get help right away for your child.
