Parents may have trouble differentiating colds and flus from children’s allergies, which share many of the same symptoms. Small children who suffer from routine respiratory or digestive upset could also be developing permanent or temporary allergies.
Allergic reactions to seasonal pollens and fungi, for instance, may be masked by asthma, other childhood illnesses or multiple allergy symptoms. Watching for patterns of symptoms and possible causes will reveal a child’s evolving sensitivity to food, insects, plant material or other potential irritants.
Skin Inflammation
Itchy fingers, face, arms or other body parts may mean that a child has been touching poison ivy, harsh soaps or other harmful substances, according to MayoClinic.com. These allergic reactions, called contact dermatitis, are common allergies among youngsters at the exploratory stage. Hay fever, insect bites or food allergies can all cause itchy eyes, skin, mouth or throat. An adverse reaction to insects or foods can also raise a red, painful rash in the itchy area or cause swelling in the mouth or throat.
Digestive Disorders
Foods are frequent instigators of children’s allergies. These kinds of allergies are important to diagnose as some, such as to allergies to peanuts, can be life-threatening. The Nemours Foundation reports that nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain can all be allergy symptoms related to food. These are usually accompanied by other respiratory or skin symptoms.
Food allergies to eggs may create symptoms only until kids reach 5-years of age, and some children may also lose their sensitivities to peanuts, tree nuts, wheat or soy. Allergic reactions to fish or shellfish, however, may persist into adulthood, the Nemours Foundation notes.
Nasal Congestion
Children’s allergies that arise when trees, grass or flowers are producing pollen are seasonal. Hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, is characterized by a runny and stuffy nose and sneezing, as per MayoClinic.com.
These allergy symptoms are shared with perennial allergic rhinitis. Kids who get respiratory sickness from dust, mold or pet dander can display symptoms whenever they inhabit an allergen-laden environment. MayoClinic.com points out that either form of rhinitis can cause a bout of sneezing, along with itchy, teary or swollen eyes.
Severe Breathing Problems
Greater difficulty breathing may be an allergy symptom of insect or food allergies. Coughing, wheezing and chest tightness may be the extent of respiratory problems generated by these substances.
They may also be warning signs of anaphylaxis, the most critical allergic reaction. As the National Institutes of Health report, this rare condition causes cardiovascular effects that may lead to dizziness, breathing obstruction and lost of consciousness.
