Allergies in Children

     You may have heard that children nowadays are experiencing more allergies, and you may wonder if your child has allergies as well. To begin, let's get familiar with childhood allergies. Starting from just a few months old, some children may be allergic to cow's milk, which can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, even blood in the stool. Others may experience severe rashes or wheezing after consuming milk. Some children may have such severe reactions that they go into shock, stop breathing, or lose consciousness. Other foods, such as eggs, soy, and wheat, can also trigger allergic reactions just like cow's milk. Allergies often occur in children who have a family history of allergies.

 

     Introducing new foods or changing your child's diet should be done carefully, starting with one food at a time. There is also a type of skin allergy commonly found in young children, which causes red, itchy rashes on the cheeks, neck, arms, and legs, often affecting both sides of the body. This usually starts around 3-4 months of age. When the rash becomes severe, it can appear bright red and ooze yellow fluid. Children with this type of rash may experience flare-ups when the air is dry or after eating certain foods like eggs or cow's milk. Some may also be allergic to dust mites. In some cases, children may have these rashes until they are 4-5 years old, but the severity usually decreases as they grow older. Between ages 2-5, children often begin to show signs of allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, which includes symptoms similar to a cold, such as frequent sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. These symptoms may last for more than 10 days or occur almost every month. Long-term exposure can cause issues like enlarged tonsils and adenoids, difficulty breathing, snoring, and disturbed sleep, which can lead to long-term effects on the heart and lungs. In severe cases, chronic sinusitis may develop. Children with hay fever may also have certain facial features, such as dark circles under the eyes, wrinkles on the nose, flat cheekbones, protruding upper teeth, and a habit of breathing through the mouth rather than the nose.

 

     Another group of children with allergies may experience symptoms of asthma, which becomes evident after exposure to allergens or irritants, such as dust, animal dander, or after a cold. These children may experience wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness, which requires bronchodilator medication to treat.

 

     In summary, to determine if your child has allergies, look for recurring or chronic symptoms such as rashes, eye irritation, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, persistent coughing, wheezing, gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea, or blood in the stool. In severe cases, allergic reactions may cause shock. Allergens like food, pollen, dust, and pet dander can trigger these symptoms. If you notice these signs, it is important to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

 

 

Source :Overbrook Hospital ChiangRai

**Translated and compiled by ArokaGO Content Team