Allergies in Children

No one likes having allergies, but it's always worse when it's your child who has them. Regardless of what she's allergic to, she won't enjoy it and neither will you. Luckily, it's common for children to outgrow some allergies, or at least have their symptoms lessen in severity as they get older.

Symptoms

• Just like in adults, symptoms include sneezing, itching and watery eyes, hives and itching in the mouth. Anaphylactic reactions are rare, but extremely dangerous as they can cause death.

Food

• Food allergies are extremely common in children, especially to products such as milk, eggs, fruits (especially tomatoes and strawberries) and peanuts.

Animals

• Children's allergies to animals are generally caused by the presence of animal dander. Keeping your pet clean and brushed may help reduce the symptoms.

Environmental Factors

• Ragweed, pollen and other seasonal allergies affect children just as often as they affect adults. Similarly, children can be allergic to dust and mold within the house. Humid and warm days often make these allergies worse.

Asthma

• Allergies can make asthma in children even worse. If your child has been diagnosed with asthma, get a full allergy panel and make sure there is nothing that's an easy fix to help reduce the number or intensity of her asthma attacks.

Prevention/Solution

• Options include allergy shots, over the counter or prescribed antihistamines and avoidance of trigger allergens.