Research shows that about 50 million Americans struggle with allergies. Allergies tend to start developing during infancy and continue through childhood. This can greatly affect your child’s everyday activities in life. But how do you know what kind of allergies to look out for in your kids?
Nauman Ahmad, MD, FAAP and his team at Pediatrician Specialty Practices in Federal Way, Washington, want you to know what the most common allergies are in kids so you can be on the lookout for allergic reactions in your child and keep them happy, healthy, and safe.
Allergies are your immune system’s way of defending your body against a substance that’s typically considered harmless. Anything that causes your immune system to react this way is called an allergen. When your body is responding to an allergen, it’s what’s considered an allergic reaction.
These are common symptoms of an allergic reaction:
Common cold symptoms such as sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and coughing can actually also be signs of an allergic reaction.
There are many kinds of allergies, but the most common ones to look out for in kids fall into these categories:
Food allergies are on the rise. In fact, it’s estimated that 1 in 13 children are allergic to some type of food. The most common allergies found in children are peanuts and milk. However, the following make up the majority of food that kids tend to be allergic to:
Food allergies will trigger reactions like vomiting and diarrhea, wheezing and difficulty breathing, or swelling and hives.
Many children will eventually outgrow their allergies; however, others can be allergic to shellfish, fish, tree nuts, and peanuts their whole lives. It’s important to keep track of what your child eats and read ingredient labels in order to narrow down what food your child might be allergic to.
Kids can also have reactions to different kinds of pollen in the air that come from plants and trees. This is what will usually cause the runny nose and eyes and constant sneezing. It’s also important to note that insect bites and stings can also trigger allergic reactions in your children.
Did you know that even short-haired animals can cause allergic reactions? This is because a pet’s hair is not the only allergen. Allergies to pets can also be produced by your pet’s dander, urine, and saliva. Pet allergies often manifest themselves in sneezing and wheezing.
If your child does have allergies, make sure they’re aware of what triggers them. Educate your child on what foods to avoid, to stay inside when pollen counts are high, and to wash their hands thoroughly after interacting with a pet.
If you think your child is struggling with allergies or if they ever have a mild allergic reaction that’s non-life threatening, call our office at 253-785-3388 or use our online booking tool to schedule an appointment today to get to the bottom of what’s causing their allergies. Our office also offers RT-PCR tests which can check up to 20 viruses along with strep and flu.
