Understanding Causes And Symptoms Found In Kids Allergies
Allergies in children require careful attention to prevent exposure when they arise. Understand the different types of allergies and reasons they occur in kids.
For other parents, the issue of allergies primarily related to children's comfort becomes critical. Kids' allergies can be annoying, such as sudden rashes after a snack or even seasonal attacks of sneezing bouts without appropriate knowledge. They are also susceptible to food allergens and environmental and pet-related substances. This makes it imperative for the parents to appreciate that there are allergens, understand their symptoms as soon as possible, and learn how to curb them.
Overview of Kids' Allergies
An allergy is an aggressive endeavor by the human immune system against some elements that, for most individuals, are harmless. These agents are called allergens and can be found in pollen, dust, some edible substances, insect bites, fungus, and fur. In the case of a child suffering from an allergy, the reaction to the allergen occurs when the object is identified by the child's immune system as a harmful agent, thus resulting in the release of chemical compounds such as histamine in a defensive mechanism. This immune reaction results in a range of allergic response symptoms, from non-threatening disturbances to extreme forms that carry the risk of death.
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The increasing number of young kids suffering from allergies is demanding attention. The CDC states that about one in thirteen children in America suffers from at least one food allergy, and millions suffer from seasonal allergies such as pollen showers. The psychological ages of developing allergies in children are also broad, even though some children display warning signs of such allergies from a very early age. Some allergies may resolve with certain individuals, while others carry specific allergies throughout their lifespan.
Allergy Symptoms in Kids
- Sneezing: A short series of explosions from the nose and mouth is often the first sign of pollen, dust, or pet allergens.
- Runny or Stuffy Nose: A stuffy nose or a continual drippy nose is standard in seasonal and food allergy conditions.
- Itchy, Watery Eyes: Many allergens affect the eyes with increasing redness, itchiness, and watering.
- Coughing: A dry, unproductive cough that occurs without symptoms of a cold or flu can sometimes be associated with an allergy.
- Hives: Hives are raised with itchy red patches on the skin, usually seen after ingesting food allergens or after insect bites.
- Swelling: Allergies can also lead to swelling, especially on the face, around lips or eyes. This is another severe symptom that mainly worsens if it affects the airway.
- Wheezing: A wheezing sound produced when breathing indicates that allergens are irritating the lungs and air passages.
- Shortness of Breath: Breathing difficulties or fast breathing can also be seen in an allergic reaction, especially in those with asthma, a condition primarily prevalent in children.
- Skin Rash: Allergy caused by certain foods or environmental conditions often produces eczema and skin rashes that lead to dry and cracked skin.
- Upset Stomach: Most food allergies/ intolerances present with gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Pain in the abdominal cavity is also a possible symptom.
Common Childhood Allergies
Food Allergies
Food allergies are perhaps one of the most challenging food intolerances, as they can cause reactions as mild as skin rashes to as severe as anaphylaxis. The common food allergens for children include peanuts, tree nuts, cow's milk, egg, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Food allergies manifest during infancy or early childhood, although some may be outgrown with advanced age.
Pollen Allergies (Hay Fever)
Pollen allergies are also referred to as allergic rhinitis, and they are quite prevalent in children, especially during specific seasons associated with high pollen. The main pollen types include tree pollen in the spring, grass pollen in the summer and ragweed in the fall. A child suffering from hay fever may complain of coughing and sneezing, which is accompanied by eye itchiness and a runny nose.
Dust Mite Allergies
Dust mites are microscopic in mattresses, curtains, carpets, and soft furnishings. To the naked eye, they are present, but it does not mean that they are not capable of causing allergic reactions in some children that cause nasal blockage, cough, wheezing, and even asthmatic symptoms.
Pet Dander Allergies
Pets, particularly cats and dogs, are sources of allergens as their saliva, urine, and skin flakes contain allergens. Kids, thus, tend to be allergic to pets they love since there's always pet dander around, even when they do not try to touch the animal. Symptoms range from the most common, including sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes, to more drastic effects like asthma that some children could experience.
Insects Sting Allergies
Bees, wasps, and ants can cause insect sting allergies in children. While many children will have only mild local swelling and pain, a few will have more serious reactions, such as hives, wheezing, and anaphylaxis.
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Ways of Allergy Management for Kids
The Only Way is Up
Allergies are managed better with allergens at bay. It is especially the case with food allergies, where one must scrutinize every label, and even the foods that trigger a response should be avoided. In case of environmental allergies, one should close the windows, especially when there are high pollen counts, avoid using uncovered mattresses and pillows, and clean the house more often.
Treatment
Over-the-counter and prescription medications may also help ease allergy symptoms. Antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays are common prescription medications for allergic rhinitis. Inhalers may also be needed to control respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children. A doctor should always be consulted before any medication is used on a child.
Preventative Shots
Allergy shots can be a remedial measure for children affected by functional allergies when symptoms persist and worsen. Immunotherapy involves exposing the sufferer to the relevant allergen in increasing proportions over time to desensitize them. It works very well with cases of hay fever, dust, and some animals.
Air Quality Management
Even tolerant children can feel suffocated indoors due to damp air and dry weather during the pollen season. Installing air cleaners that incorporate HEPA filters, vacuuming constantly, and regulating indoor humidity can minimize allergen exposure within the residence.
Emergency Action Plans
Emergency action plans should especially be availed to children with severe food allergies, particularly those who are at risk of anaphylaxis. The plan entails having some standby drugs, such as the EpiPen auto-injectors, and educating the caregivers about their usage
Seasonal Allergies in Children
Spring Allergies (Tree Pollen)
Allergies of the Spring season (Allergy to tree pollen): As it is spring, we'd expect that there will be an increase in tree and flower growth and blooming activity. However, the season also comes with high instances of allergies due to tree pollen. Birch, maple, and oak trees are well known for pollen production. Spring allergies in kids may cause coughing, itchy eyes, and running noses.
Summer Allergies (Grass Pollen)
Allergies of the summer season (Allergy to grass pollen) During the summer, grass pollen becomes the most prevalent. A child allergic to grasses such as Bermuda or Kentucky blue-grass stands to suffer the following while playing outside: running nose, red eyes, and coughs.
Fall Allergies (Ragweed)
Fall Allergies (Ragweed) Further focused on pollen exposure and growth, is the most potent source of allergen in children during the late summer and fall period of ragweed. Those children who are allergic to ragweed pollen may exhibit allergic rhinitis, making things difficult for them during autumn season outdoor activities.
Mold Allergies
Excessive Exposure to Mold Allergies Mycoses Children are prone to mold allergies owing to their very active lifestyle. Molds prefer damp conditions, so this allergy is prevalent when all the activities of harvesting, collecting leaves, and planting trees are over. Mold-allergic children may develop nasal stuffing, coughing, and recurrent skin rashes.
Winter Allergies (Indoor Allergens)
Allergies of Winter (Indoor Allergens) Throughout winter, children remain indoors more often; hence, exposure to indoor allergens such as dust mites, dander, and molds increases significantly. The symptoms are similar to those of a common or the flu, however, in case these do not lessen or tend to get worse, there are likely some allergies involved.
Common Food Allergies in Children
Nuts
Peanut allergies are one of the most common and life-threatening food allergies in children. For certain foods, if allergic, children tend to grow out of them over time, but with peanut allergies, this is usually not the case; most remain adults with the allergy. Even small amounts of peanuts can cause a life-threatening reaction in sensitive people, which makes it very important to avoid cross-contamination of foods.
Milk
Milk allergy is included in the list of food allergies developed by infants and toddlers. Many, however, outgrow it by about 3 to 5. This is not similar to lactose intolerance, whereby those suffering from it cannot digest lactose due to a lack of the enzyme lactase. In simple terms, anyone with this type of allergy typically suffers from the body's overreaction to any of the proteins in cows' products like milk (casein and whey).
Eggs
Every child often eats eggs. Egg-related allergies tend to affect very young children, specifically infants and toddlers. The body's immune system identifies the proteins present in either the egg whites or yolk as harmful as they are in the case of any other allergen. However, the egg white proteins are more likely to produce an allergic reaction. As with milk allergies, egg allergies affect many children who are otherwise healthy until they become of schooling age, although this is not always the situation.
Wheat
Wheat allergy is not the same as gluten intolerance or celiac disease. It is an allergic reaction to some proteins present in wheat. On the other hand, gluten intolerance or celiac disease is specifically an intolerance to the protein known as gluten, which is a component of several grains such as wheat, barley, and rye.
Tree Nuts
Similar to peanut allergies, tree nut allergies are also among the more dangerous food allergies. Although peanuts are legumes and are not classified as nuts in botany, tree nuts include almonds, walnuts, cashew nuts, pistachio nuts, and hazelnut nuts.
Also Read: 9 Common Allergy Symptoms in Kids You Need to Know
Conclusion
Allergies in children require careful attention to prevent exposure and manage symptoms when they arise. By understanding the allergens that commonly affect kids, recognizing the signs of allergic reactions, and implementing effective management strategies, parents can help their children lead healthy, happy lives even with allergies. Regular consultations with pediatricians and allergists can also ensure that children receive the best care tailored to their needs, allowing them to navigate a world filled with potential allergens safely.
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