Does my child have an allergy?

What is an allergy?

When a baby has an allergic reaction, it’s the result of an inappropriate response

by his immune system. Parents often do not realize that symptoms such as runny

nose, rash, upset stomach, or crankiness can signal an allergy.

The immune system is programmed to fight off illness, but sometimes it reacts to

a harmless substance like pollen, as if it were an invading parasite, virus, or

bacteria. This overproduction causes swelling and inflammation of tissues.

What is a food allergy?

When kids are allergic to food, their body treats the food like an invader and

launches an immune system attack. In some cases symptoms usually show up

within minutes to two hours after eating a specific food. You child may complain

that her mouth or tongue is dry or mouth is tingling, itching or burning or her

mouth just feels funny. Her ears may itch, develop hives or she may have trouble

breathing.

We will concentrate on baby allergies in this blog:

The tendency to get allergies is hereditary, but specific allergies are not. For

example, if you are allergic to penicillin, your child may develop allergies although

he may not be allergic to penicillin.

Can you tell the difference between an allergy and a cold? Symptoms are similar

on the surface but here are the differences.

Cold: Upper Respiratory Tract = runny nose with cloudy nasal discharge, fever.

Lower Respiratory Tract= coughing and wheezing (whistling sound)

sometime symptoms of asthma

Allergy: Prone to respiratory viruses and have trouble getting rid of coughs or

colds. Dry hacking cough and wheezing. If he seems uncomfortable with

breathing, call your doctor immediately.

Eyes: Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, is a condition caused by both allergies and

viruses. Symptoms are a red eye and discharge that causes the eye to

crust and shut. Allergic conjunctivitis does not look very different from

pinkeye but babies with the allergy will rub their eyes frequently, tear

and have dark circles under the eye.

Skin: Allergic rashes tend to appear in infants at 3 -4 months. Most common

allergic rash is atopic dermatitis, or eczema. Eczema is a red, scaly and

sometimes oozing rash found on cheeks, torso, arms and legs.

Contact dermatitis an allergic rash caused by a reaction to soap, detergent,

wool clothing, poison ivy or another irritant that has touched to body.

Behavior: Problems with eating, sleeping or irritability can result from allergies.

Your allergic baby will be fussy and uncomfortable. This is usually due to

chronic congestion, abdominal pain, or itchy skin, eyes or nose.

Our next blog will concentrate on food allergies.