Allergies is a hurdle in the growth and development of your child. It doesn’t allow your child to sleep well, function good at school and play well. In an allergic reaction, the immune system kicks in to defend from the substance that is assumed as hostile. This substance is considered as normal by most of the people. The allergen can be anything, it can be food, pollen, fur, dust or pet dander. This often starts a host of reactions and the immune system will react as if it is fighting off an invader.
Allergy Symptoms in Children
Here are some common symptoms of allergy in children.
- Difficulty in breathing
- Upset stomach
- Skin rashes
- Hives
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Runny nose
Common Allergy Triggers
There are many things that can trigger an allergic reaction. Some of the most common types are:
Irritants
- Perfume
- Cigarette smoke
- Car exhaust
Outdoors
- Plant pollen
- Insect bites or stings
- Tree pollen
Indoors
- Animal hair
- Dust mites
- Mold
- Fur
Foods
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Milk and milk products
- Wheat
- Fish
- Tree nuts like walnut, almonds.
Diseases Caused by Allergies
Following are the most common diseases caused by allergies among children:
Nasal congestion
One of the main cause of nasal congestion in children is allergies. The nasal congestion in children prevents them from breathing through their nose. This especially happens when they are asleep, they have to breathe through their mouth. As a result of this, your child will have a restless night and will be tired in the morning. If this illness is left untreated, it can greatly affect the growth of bones of face and teeth. So, if the congested nose is treated at an early stage, it will prevent such problems.
Allergic Rhinitis
Another sickness that is caused by the allergies is allergic rhinitis. Some of the symptoms include:
- Watery and red eyes
- Chronic ear problem
- Itchy or a runny nose
- Sneezing
- Nose blockage
It is also known as hay fever, so some people believe that it is caused by hay and causes fever. Well, this is not true, hay fever is not triggered by hay.
Ear Infections
If a child experiences an allergic reaction, it might lead to inflammation in the ear. This may also lead to the fluid being gathered that results in ear infections. Along with this, it causes decreased hearing as well. If you child’s hearing is impaired while they are stilling learning to talk can cause several problems. One of the biggest problems might be that they will develop poor speech. Allergies can lead to earaches, itching in the ears and fullness of ears.
In case you think your child is experiencing an allergic reaction you must immediately make an appointment. You must keep a track of the symptoms your child is experiencing. You must also inform the school about the allergies. In case your child suffers from asthma, you must provide the school with a copy of action plan. It is important to discuss medications in case of emergencies.
Therefore, if your child has an allergy, you must teach them ways to avoid allergic reactions.
DISCLAIMER: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.