Allergy Symptoms in Children

Children are often down with illness due to many types of allergies. There are over a million kids in United States, who have some kind of allergy. Sometimes the allergy is mild or in some cases the allergies take a serious turn. What exactly is an allergy? It is an over reactive immune system, that launches a full fledged attack on a simple substance. This simple substance is termed as an allergen that does not cause any kind of reaction in most people. The immune system produces immunogloblulin E (IgE) antibodies. These IgE antibodies stimulate mast cells and basophils to produce chemicals to attack the alleged allergen or invader. This production of chemicals, including histamine, causes an allergic reaction. These allergic reactions will occur every time the child is exposed to the allergen. Let us go into the details of how to recognize allergy symptoms in children.

Types of Allergens

Before we go into the details of how to recognize allergy symptoms in children, let us see the different types of allergens. Allergies in children can be caused by dust mites, these are tiny microscopic insects. They feed on the dead skin cells and live all around us. Dust mite allergy symptoms are the most common allergies in children. Next, pollen grains are the second most common cause of allergies in children. The pollen allergies are mostly seasonal allergies and the child may suffer from heightened allergy symptoms during this period. Fungi or mold allergy symptoms are also common, so are pet allergies. The pet dander can lead to dog allergies or cat allergies in children. Cockroaches too can cause allergies so can food products like dairy and grains.

How to Spot Allergy Symptoms in Children

As mentioned above, there are various types of allergens that can trigger an allergy. Before we go into the specific allergy symptoms, let us have a look at some of the common allergy symptoms in children:

• Red, watery eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Allergic shiners (dark circles under eyes)
• Allergic Salute (small crease of skin on the lower end of the nose, due to rubbing the nose upwards)
• Stuffy or runny nose
• General fatigue
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Hives
• Anaphylaxis

Food Allergy Symptoms in Children
There are many cases of, tree nuts, seafood, shellfish, soybeans, peanut allergy and wheat allergy in children. Almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and cashew allergies etc. may lead to food allergies, most of the time, these allergies in children lead to serious consequences. Some of the food allergy symptoms in children are as follows:

• Itching in mouth and throat
• Raised, bumps on skin that itch a lot (Hives)
• Eczematous rash
• Itchy, runny nose
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Breathing difficulty
• Anaphylactic shock

Dairy Allergy Symptoms in Children
Have a glass of milk everyday, is one rule all parents pass on to their children. However, for some kids it can prove to be a matter of life and death. Many kids are lactose intolerant, that means they cannot digest dairy products. This includes milk, cheese, yogurt, ice creams, even egg allergy in children. You should be very careful when it comes to infant milk allergy. Most of the time, these children develop dairy allergy symptoms that appear for 2 hours and may last for 2 days. The infant may become irritated, cry continuously, develop dark circles under the eyes and through tantrums. Other dairy allergy symptoms in children include:

• Skin rash
• Dark circles around the eyes
• Swelling on the lips, mouth and throat
• Gas
• Bloating
• Abdominal cramps
• Wheezing
• Red, itchy eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Inattentiveness
• Hyperactivity
• Lethargy
• Bed wetting

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms in Children
The warm summer days to laze around and play to the heart's content, may prove to be a very miserable time for some kids. Come summer or spring, these kids are struck with some kind of allergy or the other due to the allergens in the air. Seasonal allergies are caused by pollen grains from flowers in full bloom. It commonly known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Some of the seasonal allergy symptoms in children are as follows:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy nose
• Itchy palate
• Continuous sneezing
• Red, itchy eyes
• Watery eyes
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Breathing difficulty
• Allergic salute
• Allergic shiners

This was some information related to how to recognize allergy symptoms in children. You need to speak to a pediatrician regarding the allergies in children and allergy relief. Children should be kept away from food and dairy products that trigger and allergic attacks. Seasonal allergy can be kept in control keeping children inside during peak pollen time. This includes mid morning, early evening and when the wing is blowing. You can keep the windows closed, air condition on in the house and car for some relief from seasonal allergies. The pediatrician is the best person to advise you regarding the allergy treatment options for your kids. Hope the above information on allergy symptoms in children helps you understand the signs and symptoms to look for in a possible attack.
By Batul Nafisa Baxamusa

Posted in: Allergies