Allergy and Children – Reasons, Symptoms and Way outs
Adults aren't the only people who experience allergy with sneezes and watery eyes. Indeed, about 8.4% of children every year are diagnosed according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America with symptoms known as "hay fever".
Food Allergy
Approximately 6 million children are allergic to something in food, which becomes a common complaint to pediatric ENTs in Oklahoma. This occurs in boys more than in girls. Your baby or child can be allergic and react to several foods. Peanuts are the most prominent cause of childhood allergy to food. Additional are common:
Cow's milk
Fish
Eggs
Shellfish such as lobster, crab, and shrimp
Soy
Nuts such as cashews, almonds, and walnuts
Wheat
Seasonal Allergy
It can be hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis if symptoms get worse during certain seasons. Sneezing, sniffling, and other symptoms in children occur when certain trees, herbs, and weeds flourish. The most common triggers of allergies for children include pollen from the trees and plants.
Indoor Allergy
An allergy trigger might be your favorite stuffed animal. Tiny dust specks, known as dust mites, exacerbate indoor allergies. Moreover, the mites collect plump toys and pillows in soft, cozy places. Indoor allergies in children may also result from mold, cigarette smoke, and perfume.
Genetic Influence
Your pediatric ENT in Oklahoma may ask about family history of allergies because allergies have a significant hereditary component-a 25% chance of developing the same condition per parent with allergies/asthma. If two parents have allergies, their children have a probability of 50%.
Do Your Children Have an Allergy?
Ask yourself first if, at certain times of the year, these symptoms occur. This is often the first indication of the allergy-related problems of your child. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the most common infant allergy is allergic rhinitis. These are the symptoms:
Postnasal drip
Runny nose
Watery eyes
Sneezing
Belly pain
Chronic ear problems or infections
Coughing
Diarrhea
Trouble breathing, including wheezing
Hives or rash
Fainting
Swelling of the face, arms, legs
Tightness in the throat
Red rash around the mouth
Nausea or vomiting
Our pediatric ENT in Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, LLC, can help your child with symptoms of allergies. If your child or child is struggling with allergies, an appointment with us today is the best course of action. We are specialized in providing help to pediatric patients and can prescribe a safe and effective course of treatment. Allergy testing and treatment around age 5 and above would be considered.
**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.