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Signs & Symptoms of Common Childhood Allergies

Symptoms of an allergy occur when the immune system negatively reacts to a specific substance called an allergen. The body treats the allergen as it would a virus, producing antibodies that cause the cells to release histamine into the bloodstream. This results in allergic symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening.

Many children suffer seasonal allergies related to plant pollens from trees, grass and flowers. Molds, including mushrooms and certain cheeses, can cause allergic reactions, as well as household dust mites and chemicals used in products such as laundry detergent or food additives. Children can be allergic to animal dander and saliva from cats, dogs and other animals such as horses. Foods such as peanuts or gluten-based products can cause reactions, and venom from bee or wasp stings is a common allergen also.

  1. Mild Allergy Symptoms

    • Sometime the child's body reacts mildly to an allergen exposure. This depends on the amount of allergen exposure. Mild allergy symptoms include itchy and watery eyes, congestion and a localized rash usually in the area where the allergen touched the skin.

    Moderate Allergy Symptoms

    • With moderate allergic reactions, the immune response is more severe. It can include many of the symptoms of a mild reaction, such as watery and itchy eyes, but rashes can occur anywhere on the body and are not localized. Moderate allergic symptoms include body itching and a difficulty breathing, with mild asthma-like symptoms.

    Severe Allergy Symptoms

    • Severe allergic reactions are called anaphylaxis. It is rare in children, but this is a life-threatening condition in which the child's immune response affects the entire body. A severe allergic reaction will begin with mild allergy symptoms and progress to extremely serious symptoms that can include swelling of the throat, abdominal pain, muscle cramping, vomiting, dizziness and extreme difficultly in breathing. If moderate allergic symptoms do not lessen after taking medication and begin to increase in severity, parents should seek medical help for their child immediately.

    Cross-Reactions

    • Some children also suffer from an allergic reaction condition called a cross-reaction. This happens when a child is exposed to allergens of similar structure or sources. For example, a child allergic to mold may be allergic to fungus mushrooms also. Similar proteins can cause cross-reactions. Children who are allergic to birch tree pollen may have allergic reactions to apples that have a similar protein.

    Heredity

    • Heredity also plays a role in allergies. Children often suffer from the same allergies that their parents have.

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