When it comes to children and allergies, we don’t always know what to expect. Children are still growing and their immune systems are still developing. For this reason, we don’t know when an allergy can strike. Plus, if other family members suffer from allergies, the child is more apt of developing one or more allergies.

First, you should be aware of what foods you are feeding your children. Foods like eggs, peanuts, fish, cow’s milk, and chocolate are more apt to cause an allergic reaction than most foods. If your child is under the age of one, you should avoid feeding him or her eggs, peanuts, cow’s milk and fish completely.

Medicines are also very likely to cause allergic reactions in people. A lot of people can have reactions when taking certain antibiotics, steroids, etc. Therefore, whenever you begin administrating a new medication to your child be especially watchful for allergic reactions to occur.

There are many indoor and outdoor pollutants that can cause an allergic reaction in your child, too. Whenever you take your child into a new yard, or whenever grass has been freshly cut, watch for any signs of an allergic reaction. Of course, there are many indoor pollutants as well. There are those things like mold and dust-mites that we all hear so much about in all those advertisements. Yet, your child can be allergic to many other things that are encountered indoors such as, detergents, soaps, certain materials, carpets, smoke from cigarettes, etc.

What kind of symptoms should we watch for? The symptom list can be long and can also depend on the allergy in question.

1. Food allergies. Watch for symptoms such as: wheezing, difficulty breathing, hives, rashes, refusal to eat the food in question (especially egg), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and in severe cases swelling near and around the throat.

2. Allergies to medicines. Watch for symptoms such as: swelling, extreme dizziness, rash, itchiness, hives, difficulty in breathing. When difficulty in breathing occurs, get the child medical attention immediately.

3. Allergic reactions to outdoor pollutants. Symptoms includes: hay fever type symptoms, runny nose, congested nose, sneezing, watery eyes and other symptoms such as itchiness, redness, or hives. When symptoms continue or are accompanied with other symptoms such as bad headaches, wheezing, or difficulty in breathing you should consult your child’s doctor. The child may need to take some allergy medication or be tested for asthma.

4. Allergic reactions to indoor pollutants. Symptoms include: runny nose, itchiness, redness, hives, congested nose or watery eyes.

Yes, your child may outgrow some of its allergies. Child’s immune system can change as it matures. But you can teach your child now that even if he/she doesn’t outgrow the allergies, he/she can still live a productive life, full of fun. It’s important that child knows how to take the necessary cautionary acts to keep from having repeat allergic reactions.

- Linda McCloud