50% of children in the UK have allergies. For parents it is a learning curve in understanding what to avoid and how to control and manage the allergy. Find out as much as you can. There are many types of allergies.
An allergy is when the body has a reaction to a protein such as foods, insect stings, pollens, house dust mite or medicines such as antibiotics. Some families seem to include more individuals with allergies than other families.
Allergic symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe. When a child first shows signs of an allergy it is not always clear what has caused the symptoms, or even if they have had an allergic reaction, since some allergic symptoms can be similar to other common childhood illnesses. Urticaria (wheals or hives) can be one of the first symptoms of an allergic reaction. If the reaction is severe, or if the symptoms continue to re-occur, it is important that you contact your GP.
Anaphylaxis is a dangerous type of allergic reaction which is most likely to be caused by particular foods, insect bites or medicines.
Early signs of allergic reaction:
Anaphylaxis or severe reactions:
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Difficulty breathing, coughing and/or wheezing.
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Loss of colour; cold and clammy.
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Loss of consciousness (may appear asleep).
Call 999 and tell the operator you think the child has anaphylaxis.
If available, an adrenaline injection should be given as soon as a serious reaction is suspected. If you already have an EpiPen or injection device, make sure you know the correct way to use it in advance of an emergency.
Many of these symptoms can develop as a result of other common childhood illnesses. With an allergy, symptoms often appear more quickly or suddenly.
Eyes
Itchy eyes, watery eyes, prickly eyes, swollen eyes, ‘allergic shiners’ - dark areas under the eyes due to blocked sinuses.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are anti-allergy medicines, and most are readily available from a pharmacy without prescription. While older antihistamines have a reputation for making people drowsy, more modern antihistamines only occasionally have those side effects. Source: www.allergyuk.org
Nose, throat and ears
Hay fever symptoms - runny/blocked/ itchy nose, sneezing, pain in sinuses, headaches, post-nasal drip (mucus drips down the throat from behind the nose), loss of smell and taste, sore throat, swollen larynx (voice box), itchy mouth and/or throat, blocked/glue ear.
Airways
Wheezy breathing, difficulty in breathing, coughing (especially at night time), shortness of breath.
Skin
Urticaria - Wheals or hives, bumpy, itchy raised areas, rashes.
Eczema - Cracked, dry or weepy, broken skin.
Digestion
Swollen lips/tongue, stomach ache, feeling sick, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, bleeding from the bottom, reflux, poor growth.
Source: Allergy UK/2014
