Does your child seem to have a cold that just won’t go away? Or does she have a skin rash that seems to flare up, then fade? Or does he get a stomach ache every time he eats a certain food? Or are they just having random symptoms that don’t seem to go away?
You may be wondering if this is something normal and will go away on its own, or if you should call the doctor right away. In the back of your mind, you may be thinking that these are symptoms of an allergy. Read on to learn more about identifying allergies and whether you should seek medical help for your child.
What are allergies?
Allergies can be hard to diagnose, because many allergic reactions resemble common medical conditions such as food intolerance or the common cold. Even though allergies have a wide range of symptoms, all of them are a reaction by the immune system to innocent, everyday things. Usually the immune system activates when harmful invaders, such as viruses or bacteria, enter the body. However, when a harmless allergen, such as a dust spot or peanut, comes inside the body, the body may go into attack mode if it’s prone to allergies. The immune system will treat the irritant as a threat and begin releasing chemicals that cause allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can range from mild to life-threatening. That’s why it is very important to find out as soon as you can what, exactly, your child is allergic to. The only way to be sure that your child has an allergy and what they are allergic to is to speak to an allergy specialist called an allergist. The allergist will run a series of tests and confirm whether your child has an allergy.
What are some common allergy symptoms?
The following are some symptoms that accompany an allergic reaction:
- Eyes: Red, watery eyes; itching
- Ear: Ear infections; difficulty hearing; itchy ear
- Skin: Red, itchy, dry skin; rashes or hives
- Lungs: Difficulty breathing; coughing; wheezing
- Nose: Sneezing; stuffy or runny nose
- Mouth: Swelling in lips or tongue; itching; tingling sensation
- Stomach: Upset stomach pains; vomiting, diarrhea.
- Anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that needs immediate attention–call 911 or your emergency service): Dizziness; trouble breathing; drop in blood pressure; rapid pulse; swollen throat; lightheadedness; loss of consciousness
How do I know it’s an allergy?
Food allergies might be the easiest to spot because your child will start reacting immediately after eating. Common symptoms are swelling in the face, mouth or throat area, hives, itching, dizziness, and trouble breathing. If you think your child is having an anaphylactic attack, call an ambulance immediately.
Not all reactions to food are caused by allergies. Your child may experience stomach problems or other symptoms that are caused by a food intolerance. A food intolerance, unlike an allergy, is not a response from the immune system. There can be many reasons why a child may suffer from a food intolerance. The best thing is to speak with a doctor to learn why your child’s body is reacting this way.
Seasonal allergies can be harder to notice since they usually only appear for a short time and then disappear. If you see a pattern of sneezing, coughing, or other symptoms resembling a cold, this may be a red flag. One of the differences between a cold and seasonal allergies is that the nasal discharge is often thin and clear with an allergy. With a cold, the nasal discharge can become thick and yellow or green. Allergy symptoms can last longer than a week and will appear the same time every year. If this sounds familiar, check in with your child’s pediatrician to see if she should be seeing an allergist.
Dust or pet allergies are also hard to identify because the symptoms are very similar to the common cold. If a week has passed and your child’s cold just won’t go away, it may be a dust or fur allergy. If the symptoms are more severe, such as strong nasal congestion or wheezing and coughing that affects your child’s sleep, you should speak to your child’s doctor as soon as possible.
Whether or not your child is allergic to bug bites or stings, she should avoid them as much as possible. Bug bites or stings will often swell or turn red. They may itch or hurt. It can be hard to know if the symptoms are allergic or common.. If there’s a rash or swelling anywhere on the body lasting more than 3 days, it should be discussed with your child’s Pediatrician If you notice these or any other life-threatening signs, call an ambulance right away.
How will my child be tested for allergies?
The most common method that allergists use to identify allergies is a skin test. The Allergist will scratch a small amount of allergen onto the surface of the skin. If the skin begins to react after 15 minutes, then your child most likely is sensitive to the allergen. You will see a reddish lump appear in that area if the test is positive. However, a child will only be diagnosed with an allergy if there are accompanying symptoms. Blood tests are sometimes used as an alternative or to get additional information after the skin test is performed.
When in doubt
If you’re not sure whether your child has an allergy, don’t hesitate to speak with her doctor. Your child’s health and safety are top priority. Seeing an Allergist can either confirm an allergic reaction or rule out allergies as the source of the symptoms. It may also make you aware of other allergens that your child should also avoid. Once you’ve confirmed that she is allergic to certain irritants, it’s important to educate your child how to avoid allergens and what to do if she has an allergic reaction. It can be hard at first for a child to accept that she can’t always eat or do the same things as her friends. But with time she will learn that taking care of her health is worth it.
Written by Chani Bonner
