Allergies in Children
Allergies are a problem with the immune system. Normally, the human body defends itself against harmful things, such as viruses or bacteria. However, sometimes the defense system violently attacks something that is actually harmless, such as dust, pollen, or mold. Allergy triggers are called allergens.
When a child with allergies is exposed to that allergen, their immune system mistakenly believes it is harmful to their body. As a result, their body’s defenses overreact, treating the substance as an invader and trying to fight it off.
To protect the body, the immune system makes antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These cause certain cells to release chemicals (including histamine) into the bloodstream to defend against the allergen “invader.”
The release of these chemicals is what causes allergic reactions. Reactions can affect the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, and digestive tract.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and future exposure to the same allergen will trigger the allergic response again.
Allergy Symptoms in Children
Allergic reactions can occur anywhere in the body. This includes the skin, eyes, stomach lining, nose, sinuses, throat, and lungs.
This is where immune system cells can be found to fight germs that are inhaled, swallowed, or come into contact with the skin.
Allergic reactions can cause children to experience the following symptoms:
- Stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, or runny nose, and itching in the ears or roof of the mouth.
- Red, itchy, watery eyes.
- Red, itchy, dry skin.
- Hives or itchy bumps.
- Itchy rash.
- Asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing.
A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can also occur. This can cause difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, fainting, or death.
Risk Factors for Allergies in Children
Any child can develop allergies, but the condition is more common in children from families with a history of allergies. This is because allergies can be passed down through genes from parents to children.
However, it does not mean that children who have parents with allergies will definitely experience it too. A person usually does not inherit a specific allergy, but only the possibility of having an allergy. Some children can develop the health condition, even though no family member has allergies.
In addition to genetics, children who are allergic to one thing are also at high risk of developing allergies to others.
Causes of Allergies in Children
There are many things that can trigger allergic reactions in children. However, the most common triggers or allergens are:
- Tree, grass, and weed pollen.
- Natural rubber latex.
- Mold.
- Dust mites.
- Fur, urine, or oil from animal skin.
- Certain types of foods, such as eggs, nuts, milk.
- Some types of drugs.
- Hair.
- Bee sting.
- Pests such as cockroaches and rats.
Diagnosis of Allergies in Children
If your child has flu-like symptoms that last more than a week or two or has the ‘flu’ at the same time every year, take him to the doctor.
The doctor will likely take your child’s complete medical history and recommend allergy testing.
Here are some tests that can be used to diagnose allergies in children:
1. Skin test
This is the most common allergy test. A skin test measures the presence of IgE antibodies to a specific allergen (such as food, pollen, or animal dander).
In this test procedure, a small amount of diluted allergen is placed on the skin. The area is pricked or scratched. If a person is allergic to the allergen, a small bump (like a mosquito bite) appears after about 15 minutes.
2. Blood test
This test measures IgE antibodies to specific allergens in the blood. A blood test may be used if your child cannot have a skin test because they have a skin condition or if they are very sensitive to a particular allergen.
However, a positive blood test does not always mean that the child has a specific allergy. The positive result still needs to be interpreted by a doctor who is familiar with the test and the child’s medical history.
3. Challenge test
This test needs to be supervised by an allergist. A small amount of the allergen will be given to the child by mouth (consumed) or inhaled.
Only a challenge test can tell how severe an allergy is. A skin or blood test reaction only tells you the likelihood of some type of reaction, not how severe it is.
Allergy Treatment in Children
There is no cure for allergies, but you can manage the symptoms. The best way to manage them is to avoid the allergen.
Parents should talk frequently with their children about allergies themselves and the reactions they may experience if they consume or come into contact with allergens.
Tell all caregivers, from nurses to teachers, about your child’s allergies. If avoiding allergens is not possible, your doctor can prescribe medications, including antihistamines, eye drops, and nasal sprays.
In some cases, doctors recommend allergy shots (immunotherapy) to help desensitize a child to an allergen.
However, this treatment is only useful for allergens such as dust, mold, pollen, animals, and insect stings. Allergy shots are not used for food allergies.
Allergy Complications in Children
Here are some allergy complications that can occur in children:
- Anaphylaxis. This is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening for a child.
- Asthma. If a child has allergies, they are more likely to develop asthma. This is triggered by exposure to allergens in the environment (allergy-induced asthma).
- Sinusitis and ear or lung infections. The risk of developing these conditions is higher if you have a cold or asthma.
Allergy Prevention in Children
Here are some ways that can be done to prevent allergies:
- Stay indoors on windy days to avoid blowing pollen around.
- Clean as much dust as possible in the house, especially in the child’s bedroom.
- Use air conditioning instead of opening windows.
- Place the dehumidifier in a humid area of your home. But remember to clean it often.
- After playing outside, ask your child to immediately take a shower or bath, wash his hair, and change clothes.
- Avoid traveling or vacationing to places where pollen is high, such as parks, etc.