Allergy Symptoms

Hi I am writing this article in continuation of my earlier post about ‘Allergies in Children – Why, Who is prone and Which all types?’

It’s so important to detect the allergy symptoms soon. The physician will be surely there to confirm the allergy but as a parent you should at least be informed about the symptoms of possible allergies in children. Allergy symptoms in children often resemble the signs that indicate they are tired or catching a cold. It is important then, that you know what the common allergies are for children, what may trigger these allergies, and what to do if your child has an allergic reaction to something.

The type and severity of allergy symptoms vary from allergy to allergy and child to child. Symptoms can range from minor or major seasonal annoyances (for example, from pollen or certain molds) to year-round problems (from allergens like dust mites or food). Because different allergens are more prevalent in different parts of the world, allergy symptoms can also vary depending on where you live. For example, peanut allergy is unknown in Scandinavia, where they don’t eat peanuts, but is common in the United States, where peanuts are not only a popular food, but are also found in many of the things we eat.

Allergy or Sickness?

The most common and least dangerous allergy symptoms include red and itchy eyes, dark circles under the eyes, stuffy or runny nose, and general fatigue. Unfortunately, these are the same symptoms children display when they are starting to get sick. One way to tell if any of these symptoms is an indication of a virus or an allergy is to notice how quickly the symptoms appear. If a child is exposed to an allergy trigger, the reactive symptoms will become visible almost immediately or within a few hours. In addition, if the child does not have a fever, you should consider the possibility of an allergy.

Triggers of Allergy Symptoms in Children

Some obvious triggers are food, pet dander, indoor airborne inhalants such as dust or mold, and outdoor pollens. In these cases, you can often see, or at least identify the cause and connect it to the subsequent symptoms. Sometimes, however, it is more difficult to identify the cause of the symptoms because you may not even be aware that your child has been in the vicinity of the trigger.

Here  I am trying to consolidate the symptoms of common allergies which are triggered by different allergens.

Airborne Allergy Symptoms

Airborne allergens can cause something known as allergic rhinitis, which occurs in about 15% to 20% of Americans. It develops by 10 years of age and reaches its peak in the early twenties, with symptoms often disappearing between the ages of 40 and 60.

Symptoms can include:

• Sneezing
• Itchy nose and/or throat
• Nasal congestion
• Coughing

These symptoms are often accompanied by itchy, watery, and/or red eyes which are called allergic conjunctivitis. (When dark circles are present around the eyes, they’re called allergic “shiners.”) Those who react to airborne allergens usually have allergic rhinitis and/or allergic conjunctivitis. If a person has wheezing and shortness of breath, the allergy may have progressed to become asthma.

Itchy nose is also one of the symptoms usually observed. When a child has a cold, the nose will be stuffy or runny, but usually not accompanied by an itch. If your child is rubbing his nose often, you can be fairly certain that the stuffiness is due to an allergy. Allergies that cause this particular symptom are usually a reaction to airborne allergens such as dust or pollen.

Food Allergy Symptoms

The severity of food allergy symptoms and when they develop depends on:

1. How much of the food is eaten
2. The person’s sensitivity to the food

Symptoms of food allergies can include:

• Itchy mouth and throat when food is swallowed (some kids have only this symptom — called “oral allergy syndrome”)
• Hives (raised, red, itchy bumps)
• Eczematous rash
• Runny, itchy nose
• Abdominal cramps accompanied by nausea and vomiting or diarrhea (as the body attempts to flush out the food allergen)
• Difficulty breathing
• Shock

Insect Venom Allergy Symptoms

Being stung by an insect that a child is allergic to may cause some of these symptoms:

• Throat swelling
• Hives over the entire body
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Shock

Depending on how severe is the allergy the kind of symptoms varies. Below are the symptoms listed as per severity of the symptoms?

Mild Allergy Symptoms

Mild allergy symptoms can include:

•           Rash

•           Itchy, watery eyes

•           Congestion

Mild allergic reactions do not spread to other parts of the body.

Moderate Allergy Symptoms

Moderate allergic reactions can include symptoms that spread to other parts of the body, including:

•           Itchiness

•           Difficulty breathing

Severe Allergy Symptoms (Anaphylaxis)

Anaphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening emergency in which the body’s response to the allergen is sudden and affects the whole body. In rare instances, if the sensitivity to an allergen is extreme, a child may experience anaphylaxis (or anaphylactic shock) — a sudden, severe allergic reaction involving various systems in the body (such as the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system).

Allergy symptoms may begin with sudden itching of the eyes or face and within few minutes progress to more serious symptoms, including:

• Varying degrees of swellings that can make breathing and swallowing difficult (particularly of the face, throat, lips, and tongue in cases of food allergies)
• Rapid drop in blood pressure
• Abdominal pain
• Cramps
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Mental confusion or dizziness
• Unconsciousness
• Hives
• Tightness of the throat
• Hoarse voice
• Lightheadedness

Severe symptoms or reactions to any allergen, from certain foods to insect bites, require immediate medical attention. Also, if there is swelling anywhere around the mouth, such as lips or tongue, you can know that there is danger.

Anaphylaxis can happen just seconds after being exposed to a triggering substance or can be delayed for up to 2 hours if the reaction is from a food. It can involve various areas of the body.

Fortunately, though, severe or life-threatening allergies occur in only a small group of kids. In fact, the annual incidence of anaphylactic reactions is small — about 30 per 100,000 people — although those with asthma, eczema, or hay fever are at greater risk of experiencing them. Most anaphylactic reactions — up to 80% — are caused by peanuts or tree nuts.

Keep the allergy symptoms details in mind and Take care !

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3. Allergies in Children – Why, Who is prone and Which all types?
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