Common Allergies among Children

Atopic dermatitis

The child may develop skin lesions that are red, swollen, itchy, crusty or scaly. In infants, the marks usually appear on the cheeks. Atop dermatitis may be present as early as the first 2 to 3 months of life, disappear, then resurface to around 3 to 5 years.

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever

This refers to an allergic reaction to pollen from trees and grass. Symptoms include sneezing, watery and itchy nose, nasal obstruction and, in some instances, watery eyes. It is often seen in children above 3 to 4 years.

Asthma

This common lung disease is characterized by the irritability of the ling airways to certain stimuli. Children with allergic asthma suffer symptoms of cough and wheezing after exposure to allergens like pollen and dust. A child may have asthma at any age, but majority of children experience their first symptoms at around age 4.

Food allergy

Some children have unwanted reactions following ingestion of different types of foods. Shellfish, nuts and other seeds, cow's milk and wheat are some of the foods that are potentially allergenic. Eating these foods cause some children to have swelling of the mouth or lips, generalized, itchy skin eruptions (wheals) or asthma. Allergy to cow's milk in infants may manifest as gastrointestinal upset (crying and irritability), vomiting or watery, blood streaked stools.