Maybe you’ve noticed a raised red spot on your son’s skin after he’s been playing in the park.
Maybe you hear your daughter sneezing after she pets your neighbor’s cat.
Or you might notice your preteen rubbing his puffy eyes as he wheels the lawn mower back into the garage.
What do these symptoms have in common and how can you help?
The children described above may be showing signs of an allergic reaction. Common allergy triggers include:
- dust
- pollen
- animal dander
- insect stings
- certain medications
- some foods
Any child can develop an allergy. It happens when their immune system overreacts to a substance that’s normally harmless.
When your child eats, touches, or breathes in an allergen, their immune system releases histamines. That causes symptoms of an allergic reaction.
The symptoms of an allergic reaction can vary from person to person. Allergens can affect your child’s skin, respiratory tract, and other organs.
If your child comes in contact with an allergen, they may develop contact dermatitis. Their skin may appear:
- red
- itchy
- scaly
- bumpy
- swollen
If they touch, inhale, or eat an allergen, they can also develop hives. These are raised welts that can develop on their skin, and they’re almost always itchy.
Some children with allergies also develop eczema. This condition causes their skin to become inflamed, itchy, and irritated, even when they haven’t made contact with an allergen.
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