Everything You Need to Know About Children’s Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
You do everything you can to keep your little ones healthy and happy, but sometimes, kids develop pediatric allergies. Although they’re nearly impossible to prevent, there are some strategies you can take to help your child manage his or her allergies.1 Read on to learn more about the most common types of allergies in children, and what you can do to help your child thrive with allergies.
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What Are the Most Common Types of Allergies in Children?
Many of us are susceptible to allergies, but in children, there are four common types: Food, eczema, asthma, and hay fever.2 Food allergies can cause skin conditions like atopic eczema and more serious allergic reactions, and they can be triggered by things like peanuts, cow’s milk, soy, wheat, eggs, or fish. If you suspect your child may have some type of allergy, the first, best step is always to consult with your little one’s pediatrician.
Dust mites, pet dander, and tobacco smoke are other factors that can aggravate allergies in children.1 You should obviously not expose your child to tobacco smoke under any circumstances, but when it comes to dust and pets, protecting your little ones is a little more difficult. And, when it comes to hay fever and seasonal allergies, it may be a good idea to consult with your little one’s pediatrician for advice on how to mitigate this type of allergy.4
What Are the Typical Allergens for Children?
We can break down the typical causes of allergies that affect children into a few categories. Let’s take a look at them in more detail:1
- Outdoor: These are things like tree or plant pollen, and can also refer to insect stings or bites.
- Indoor: This is where we find pet or other animal hair and dander, dust mites, and mold.
- Irritants: Things like cigarette smoke, perfume, or chemical exhaust fumes can be irritants that cause problems for young lungs and immune systems.
- Foods: Peanuts, eggs, and dairy products are some of the most common culprits when it comes to childhood food allergies .
What Are the Symptoms of Children’s Allergies?
Little ones can be tricky to diagnose, because they’re not always able to tell you what’s wrong when they’re unwell. But there are a few things to look out for when it comes to children’s allergies like:1
- Skin rashes or hives, which can be atopic dermatitis or eczema
- Difficulty breathing (this may be a symptom of asthma)
- Sneezing and coughing
- A runny nose or itchy eyes
- Upset stomach
Some other common symptoms can include nasal congestion and ear infections.1
Allergies can also lead to inflammation in the ear, which commonly results in ear infections, thanks to a build-up of fluid in the ears. This can hamper a little one’s hearing and cause delays or problems in speech development.1
Although children often outgrow them, food allergies are nothing to take lightly. Peanuts, milk, eggs, fish, and even soy products can all trigger allergic reactions in some children. You’ll want to talk to your child’s pediatrician as soon as you notice any effects from foods like these. Your child’s healthcare provider can help you prepare to keep your child safe from exposure.3
What Is the Prevalence of Allergies in Children?
Which Children Are More at Risk to Get Allergies?
Basically, any child can get allergies, but they’re more likely to present in children with a family history of certain types of allergies.6
It’s important to note that allergies can strike anyone at any time – age, gender, and race notwithstanding.6 So, if your child presents any symptoms of allergies, you’ll want to bring this up with his or her pediatrician right away so you can work toward an effective treatment plan.
How Do You Test and Diagnose Children for Allergies?
If you notice any of the common allergy symptoms in your child, or would like to pursue an infant allergy test, you should bring this up with his or her pediatrician. Your child’s healthcare provider can then refer you to a pediatric allergist who can help get to the root of what’s causing your child’s discomfort.7
The allergist will take note of your child’s and your family’s medical history, take a physical examination, and then begin with allergy sensitivity testing. Allergy testing can include skin tests, blood tests, or allergy elimination tests to determine what’s causing your little one’s allergies.7
What Are the Treatment Options for Children’s Allergies?
For hay fever allergies (also called allergic rhinitis), oral antihistamines are one common treatment.8 When it comes to children’s allergy medication, steroid nasal sprays can help with congestions, too.And, if your child’s allergies are more severe, allergy shots (immunotherapy injections) may be an option, as well, but your child’s pediatrician is the best person to make that decision.8 These same methods can be used to treat children’s pet allergies, too.8
Keep in mind, that food allergies are serious and can be life-threatening.3 Always consult with your child’s pediatrician, who can perform diagnostic testing, identify the source of your little one’s allergy, and suggest the best course of action.
For allergic reactions such as hives, one option is an antihistamine like Telfast®, which may be just the thing you need.9
How Can You Help Your Child Avoid Allergies?
Allergy control begins at home. Many people with allergies stay indoors when pollen and mold is high. But dust mites, pet dander and even cockroaches can cause problems indoors. You can control indoor allergens with cleaning and reducing allergens in your home.10
Why Is it Important to Intervene Early in Children’s Allergy?
Although preventive and treatment options may seem complex, the main reason for early intervention is simple: Improving your child’s quality of life. All types of allergy symptoms can impact a child’s everyday life, from their health to their education, and even their developing social lives.1
When Should You Consult a Doctor for Children’s Allergies?
Keep your child’s pediatrician informed when it comes to any allergy symptoms you notice, but in general, you’ll want to consult a medical specialist if you notice any of the following:11
- Sneezing, runny nose, headache, or difficulty breathing
- Chronic hay fever symptoms
- Hives or itching skin
- red or watery eyes
Frequently Asked Questions about Children’s Allergies
Oral antihistamines are a common treatment option, as well as steroid nasal sprays to help with congestions. For more severe allergies, allergy shots (immunotherapy injections) may be an option, as well, but these need to be prescribed and administered by your child’s pediatrician. It’s also helpful to establish a plan with the help of your family physician for avoiding potential triggers, as much as possible.8
Symptoms of seasonal allergies can last for weeks or even months, so talk to your child’s pediatrician for testing, if necessary, and to develop a plan to help your child feel better.12
Allergies can strike at any time. Some allergies are more common in children, and some also tend to be outgrown over time.3
It may not be totally possible to prevent allergies, but there are some strategies to help your child avoid allergens, like regularly cleaning the house or setting up a HEPA air filter in your child’s bedroom.10
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Children's Outdoor Allergies
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1. Children and allegies. acaai. Available at :https://acaai.org/allergies/allergies-101/who-gets-allergies/children/
2. Allergy in Childhood _ Allergy UK _ National Charity. Available at: https://www.allergyuk.org/aboutallergy/allergy-in-childhood/
3. Food Allergies _ Causes, Symptoms & Treatment _ ACAAI. Available at: https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/food/
4. Managing Allergies in Schools_ A Guide for Parents - Allergy & Asthma Network. Available at: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/allergies/managing-allergies-in-schools/
6. Allergies and the Immune System. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/allergies-and-the-immune-system
7. For Children and Infants _ ACAAI. Available at: https://acaai.org/allergies/testing-diagnosis/for-children-and-infants/
8. Hay fever. acaai. Available at: https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/hay-fever/
9. Egyptian drug authority. Telfast oral suspension 30mg/5ml. Approval date: 25-6-2023.
10. Control Indoor Allergens to Improve Indoor Air Quality. aafa. Available at: https://aafa.org/allergies/prevent-allergies/control-indoor-allergens/
11. Allergies. Cleveland clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8610-allergies
12. Hay fever - NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/
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