Allergic disorders affect about 50 million Americans and often first appear during infancy or childhood, says the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. If your child has allergies, his body releases histamines and other chemicals in order to fend off allergens, or substances it perceives to be dangerous threats, according to BabyCenter.com. Recognizing possible triggers and signs of allergies early-on can help you reduce your young child’s discomfort.
Common Allergens
The most common culprits of nasal allergies are dust mites, which thrive on flakes of human skin, pet dander, pollen and mold in the home, says BabyCenter.com. Common food allergens are peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, shellfish, tree nuts and milk, according to The Nemours Foundation.
Signs and Symptoms
BabyCenter.com says your child may be experiencing environmental allergies if she seems to have a cold on a regular basis and has any of these symptoms: Dry cough; constantly wiggling and pushing up on her nose; clear and thin mucus draining from the nose; sneezing a lot; itchy and red eyes; or dark blue or purple skin under the eyes. She likely has a food allergy if a certain food causes her to break out in hives, have a tingling mouth or induces swelling of her mouth, throat or face, according to the Mayo Clinic. An extreme allergic attack may result in an anaphylaxis, which may include lightheadedness, shortness of breath, rapid and weak pulse, swollen airways that block breathing, and loss of consciousness.
Risk Factors
Children are at greater risk than adults of developing allergies, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although a child may outgrow an allergy, he may also temporarily stop having an allergy only to have it return later. A child is also at greater risk of having allergies if he inherits the tendency to be allergic, says BabyCenter.com. If one biological parent has pet allergies or hay fever, the child is 40 to 50 percent more likely to have an allergy; if both parents have allergies, his chances of having allergies increase to 75 to 80 percent, according to BabyCenter.com.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that your child has an allergy, consult her pediatrician. In order to accurately diagnose your child, the doctor will likely ask you questions about her signs and symptoms, examine your child and ask you to keep a diary of signs and symptoms and potential triggers, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Preventing Environmental Allergies
To reduce your child’s exposure to allergens, wash his bedding in hot water once every week, avoid piling stuffed toys in his bedroom, dust and vacuum weekly or biweekly when he isn’t around, mop linoleum floors and clean his bathroom regularly with mold-inhibiting disinfectants, suggests BabyCenter.com. You will have more trouble preventing him from being exposed to outdoor allergens, but BabyCenter.com suggests keeping him inside with closed windows when allergen counts are high, bathing him every night and drying his clothing in a dryer instead of on an outdoor clothesline.
