Toddlers are at the highest risk of developing allergies. Most allergic reactions related to ingested foods and supplements occur before the age of five years, with many toddlers outgrowing the allergy by adulthood. If you notice adverse reactions develop after you toddler takes vitamins, stop providing your toddler with the supplement and call your pediatrician. Take the vitamin supplement that you've been giving to your toddler with you to the doctor because the allergy may be unrelated to the vitamins, but may be the result of an inactive ingredient.
Vitamin Allergy
If you toddler has a genuine vitamin allergy, her immune system responds with an overreaction to one or more of the substances in the vitamin. The body treats the vitamin supplement as an invader. This mistake of the immune system causes the body to react inappropriately. Symptoms are typically anywhere from mild to severe. In order to defend the body, the immune system creates immunoglobulin E antibodies that trigger certain cells in the body to produce various chemicals. The chemical that causes the most complications is histamine. Histamine, when produced in large amounts, causes inflammation to occur in soft tissue.
Symptoms
The toddler's age will determine how many symptoms you will be aware of. If the toddler can express to you in words what's hurting, you will be able to identify vitamin allergy symptoms more effectively. Common symptoms will occur within a few minutes after giving your child the supplement. Symptoms include asthma, wheezing, sniffling, sneezing, skin rashes, eczema, hives, runny nose, headaches, fatigue, diarrhea, stomach pain, gas, bloating, cramping and vomiting.
Concerning Symptoms
Some children may develop a severe allergic reaction after taking vitamin supplements. A severe reaction, called anaphylaxis, will affect the entire body and can cause life-threatening symptoms. Signs of anaphylaxis include swelling of the face, lips, tongue or mouth, hives, lightheadedness, dizziness, severe stomach pain, metallic taste in your mouth, a rapid heart rate and a sudden drop of blood pressure. If these symptoms develop, you need to call 911 immediately. Without medical intervention, this type of reaction can end in death.
Identification
Take the vitamin supplement with you to your appointment with the pediatrician for further analysis. If the supplement contains other highly allergic substances, such as gluten or milk proteins, the pediatrician may recommend allergy testing to determine which ingredient is triggering the reaction. Once identified, your child will have to eliminate that specific ingredient from her diet.
