Allergy Alert: How To Tell Whether Your Child Has An Allergy

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 Does your child have an allergy? According to the World Health Organization, up to 40% of kids worldwide may be allergic to something. Spotting the signs of an allergy is important for keeping your child comfortable and safe. While some allergies can be mild, others can be life-threatening, and knowing the triggers can be key to preventing reactions. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common signs of an allergy in a child and how to treat these symptoms. 

Common types of allergy

An allergy occurs when the immune system effectively ‘malfunctions’ and starts to identify a harmless substance as a threat. 

While it’s possible to develop an allergy to almost anything, there are certain allergy triggers that are more common than others. These include:

• Food allergies: 8% of children in the US are affected by food allergies. The ‘big nine’ allergens in this group include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame seeds. 

• Environmental allergies: This is typically an allergy to certain substances in the air or in dust. Hayfever is the most common environmental allergy and is triggered by pollen. Dust mites and mold are other environmental allergy triggers. 

• Animal allergies: It’s possible to be allergic to certain animals. Pet dander from dogs and cats can cause some kids to sneeze or even have breathing difficulties. Bee stings can also be a trigger, often causing more serious symptoms.

• Drug allergies: Allergies have been linked to certain drugs like penicillin. Symptoms like hives could be noticeable after kids take certain medication.

• Contact allergies: This includes allergies that cause skin reactions. Certain chemicals found in soaps or certain metals may cause rashes or dry skin. 

Common signs of allergies in kids

Allergies can affect kids in different ways. Spotting an allergy isn’t always as easy as some parents may think as certain symptoms could be easily mistaken for a cold or a stomach bug. However, there may still be ways of distinguishing them. 

Start with the skin

Rashes, hives and eczema are all big red flags. Rashes are characterized as areas of red and inflamed skin. Hives are small little bumps which can appear suddenly. Eczema is a name for dry and scaly skin, which can often be itchy. Symptoms like dry skin on a newborn’s face can be very common and may not always be a sign of an allergy, but can be worth checking out. 

Consider respiratory symptoms

A sneeze or a runny nose that suddenly comes on may not be a cold. If it worsens in certain environments and seems to fade away when you are not in these environments, there could be an environmental trigger at play such as mold or dust mites. Wheezing and shortness of breath is a more serious symptom that could be a sign of allergic asthma. Cats are a common trigger for this allergy symptom. 

Look into digestive issues

Vomiting and diarrhea could be caused by a food allergy. In infants, persistent colic or reflux after feeding could even signal an allergy to cow’s milk. It’s worth noting that symptoms like constipation and diarrhoea can also be a sign of an intolerance - which is different to an allergy (symptoms are usually much more delayed), but caused by many of the same triggers like milk or wheat. Check out this guide to allergies vs intolerances. 

Don’t ignore pain and crying

If your child is regularly complaining about a stomach ache, think about what they have just eaten - you may spot a trend and identify a food allergy. Babies won’t be able to tell you they have a sore tummy, but crying is a good indicator they are in discomfort. If this regularly happens after they’ve had food, consider what they have just eaten.

Watch out for swelling

One of the most severe symptoms of an allergy is swelling. If this happens to the lips or tongue, it could make it hard for your child to breathe, and it may lead to anaphylaxis - a life-threatening condition. Always ring an ambulance when this happens if you don’t have allergy medication. Types of allergy triggers that can commonly lead to these symptoms include peanuts, shellfish, bee stings and penicillin. 

How to treat allergies in kids

Unfortunately, there is no cure to allergies: once your child has an allergy, they will have that allergy for life. However, there are ways to prevent and treat allergic reactions. 

Once you’ve diagnosed an allergy, avoidance is often key. When it comes to food allergies, learn to read labels meticulously to avoid potential allergy triggers. All food packaging and restaurants have to provide information about allergies by law. Similarly when it comes to allergies to fabrics or chemicals, always look at clothing labels and ingredients on toiletries packaging. 

With allergies like hayfever or a dust mite allergy, you may be able to reduce allergic reactions by choosing particular bedding. Look for bedsheets and mattresses marketed as hypoallergenic to reduce reactions.

As for medication to treat reactions, there are solutions like antihistamines. Can kids take antihistamines? Yes - but only in child-friendly forms. The likes of loratadine and cetirizine can be bought in liquids and chewables for kids. These are a good solution for mild allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching and rashes. 

When treating allergic asthma, an inhaler is the best solution. This will need to be prescribed by a doctor as you cannot buy it over the counter. Make sure the inhaler is designed for kids - do not use an adult inhaler on a child. 

For serious allergic reactions, an EpiPen will be recommended by a doctor. This is an auto-injector that can help to counter serious symptoms like anaphylaxis. Learn how to use it and take it with you wherever you go. Your child will need to take it to school with them and teachers will need to be informed about it. EpiPens must be prescribed by a doctor.

Getting professional medical support is advised to determine the best way to treat your child’s allergy. Don’t rely on a self-diagnosis - it’s useful for a child to have an allergy listed in their medical records and they may not be able to access certain medication without an official diagnosis.