Child Allergy Symptoms – 5 Common Symptoms Associated With Allergies in Children
Allergies at any age can be difficult to diagnose, but are particularly complex in children because many allergy symptoms can also be indicative of other conditions. And children are often less able to accurately describe their symptoms. Here are 5 common allergy symptoms and ways they may present differently that make them suggestive of allergies rather than other conditions.
Dark Eye Circles - This discoloration under the eyes looks like raccoon eyes or black eyes and are called allergic shiners. The area under the eyes appears darker because of increased blood flow to the sinus area rather than due to a lack of sleep. Shiners related to allergies are often accompanied by an extra fold of skin under the lower eye lids called the Denni-Morgan lines. These lines take their names from the two physicians who first made the connection between allergies and its relationship to this facial feature.
Allergic Eczema - This may first appear as contact dermatitis that is the skin's reaction to contact with an irritant; but is most often associated with allergies and presents as a rash in folds of the skin-knees, elbows, eyes, and even on the face. The affected areas are often very dry, red and itchy skin. Unfortunately, those who have allergies often suffer with this condition as well.
Frequent Sinus Infections - When the body overacts to an allergen, it produces additional fluids. These fluids then block the sinus passages, and bacteria and germs that are usually able to pass through and leave the body are able to invade the tissue lining the sinus cavity causing infection. Infection tends to be more common with those who suffer from allergies because the body's attempt to fight off foreign substances weakens the immune system making the body less effective in freeing itself of germs. Sinus infections can cause headaches, nasal congestion, and fever.
Chronic Cough - A cough that does not go away, is mostly dry, and only sometimes brings up phlegm into the mouth is usually an indication of increased fluid in the sinus cavity. Additional sinus fluid is often due to a reaction to allergens. Since the cough is a symptom rather than a condition, and even though it can be treated, eliminating the cause is the only sure way to eliminate the cough for good. If a cough persists, seek medical advice immediately as it is a symptom of many conditions other than allergies.
Itchy Nose - The nose knows when there are allergens present, and it lets the body know with an itch. This one symptom clearly defines the presence of an allergen from just a stuffy nose associated with a cold. Many children with allergies rub their nose in a way that resembles a salute, and this action is often nicknamed, the allergy salute. The only way to eliminate allergy symptoms is to avoid contact with the allergen that precipitates the reaction. But knowing and being able to recognize these common symptoms will allow you intervene earlier and provide relief for your child sooner.
Symptoms of Sun Allergy
Allergic reactions to the sun can be quite uncommon. However they can be prevented if you know what symptoms to look for. Sun allergies come in 4 common types, each with their own set of symptoms. Because of this it's best to discuss the symptoms with their respective type.
1) Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE) is the most common and effects 10-15% or the population. It affects women more than men in all races. Symptoms begin showing themselves in early adulthood and include the following: an itchy rash appears on the neck, upper chest, arms and legs within the first 2 hours of exposure and can last up to 2-3 days. Chills, headache and nausea may also be experienced. Treatments include using cool water over the affected area. You can control the itching by using an over-the-counter antihistamine.
2) Actinic Prurigo (hereditary PMLE) is very similar to PMLE however the symptoms are confined to the face, especially the lips. It starts to appear in childhood or during the teenage years. Symptoms are the same as PMLE.
3) Photoallergic eruptions is an effect to a chemical that has been applied to the skin. Examples of things that can trigger it are sunscreen, cosmetic, fragrance or ointment. Symptoms are very similar to PMLE as well; however they tend to show up latter. Rashes may not show themselves for several days after exposure to the sun. It's also possible for the rash to spread to parts of the skin that are covered my clothing and don't get direct sunlight. This may make it difficult to identify exactly which products are triggering the allergy. The treatment is simple. Determine which products are causing the allergy and stop using it.
4) Solar urticaria, which mostly affect women, is the most rare of all the sun allergies. It will produce large, itchy hives on the areas that are exposed to the sun, which appear within minutes of exposure. The last 30 to 120 minutes. You should use the same treatment at PMLE.
The good news is that most sun allergies are preventable. By using sunscreen and limiting the amount of time spend outdoors you should be safe from sun allergies forever.
Symptoms of Allergies and Allergy Tests
There are different symptoms of having an allergy. Some can be mild, some can be very annoying, but some can be dangerous and even life threatening. Below is a list of some common allergy symptoms:
1. Skin rashes - annoying and itchy and sometimes painful. Depends where they are on the body, they can make someone to look quite ugly.
2. Breathing problems - when allergy causes problems with breathing and lack of oxygen, it is very serious and requires attention.
3. Itchy notes, mouth, throat and skin - this is one of the most common and annoying allergy symptoms - an itch that can't be smoothed.
4. Conjunctivitis - burning and itchy eyes, is also a common allergy problem.
5. Coughing - another common allergy problem for many people - constant cough that sometimes is also painful.
6. Hives - hives can be painful and they can cause attention of others in public.
7. Headache - distracting headache that makes difficult to do anything constructive or relax.
8. Diarrhea - long time diarrhea can be also life threatening.
When you have an allergy the next step is to find out what causes it. You should talk to your doctor who will after checking the symptoms, know what to do. You should have a physical examination. The next step is usually tests which can find out precisely what causes the allergy. There are three kinds of tests:
1. The Skin Test - it is the least expensive and is very accurate. To do the skin test, a small amount of allergen is put on the skin and then the spot is pricked or scratched with a needle. A bit of allergen is also injected into the outer part of the skin. If there is an allergy to the tested product, after about 15-20 minutes after the test, there will be redness, swelling and itching on the skin
2. The Patch Test - it is done to find a contact dermatitis. A small amount of allergen is put into skin and then covered with a bandage. A doctor then checks the spot within forty-eight hours to see if a rash develops.
3. The Blood Test - this test is done when there are skin conditions or medications taken that might interfere with a skin test. In the blood test, the blood is taken to a laboratory and allergens are added to the blood sample. The amount of antibodies that are going to be made will be measured in this test.
The Four Most Common Allergy Symptoms
Allergy symptoms range from the life threatening to the irritating to the downright bizarre; but they all tend to share one thing in common: people want to get rid of them! Whether you're constantly sneezing, or if your heart sinks at the phrase 'may contain nuts' then the chances are you want to be rid of your allergies. But to get rid of them you first have to know what it is you have. If you think you may have an allergy, look out for these four most common symptoms.
Sneezing
Allergy symptoms are the result of allergens causing reaction within our immune system, which in turn causes the unpleasant side effects of an allergy. A classic case of this is sneezing; the nasal passage becomes irritated by the allergen, and the body responds by trying to expel the foreign particle and clear the irritant. It is an attempt by the immune system to rid the body of a potential threat. The violent expulsion of air caused by the sneeze attempts to eliminate the threat and maintain a clean environment for the body. Of course this can get rather irritating if you are trying to have a conversation, and instead you end up spraying the person in front of you unexpectedly!
Watering Eyes
Watering eyes are a similar reaction to sneezing; again the body is trying to get rid of a potential threat by flushing out the tear ducts. This reaction is designed to swill out the eyes and particularly to wash away pollen which is the biggest culprit in allergic reactions.
Itching or Red Skin
Irritated skin is another common symptom of an allergy. These tend to indicate an allergy to something like a washing powder or perfume; many people find that when they change their washing powder they have an allergic reaction of this sort. This effect is most commonly called 'contact dermatitis', as it occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant. However, there are other types of rash such as eczema which are caused by causes other than simple contact. There are also conditions such as hives which come under this heading. Hives are raised lumps on the skin, which are mostly red in color. They can last varying amounts of time from a few minutes to a few days.
Headaches
Headaches are a common allergy symptom. The presence of a headache in an allergic reaction is quite common, mostly due to pressure which builds up in the sinuses. This is especially true for anyone who gets violent sneezing reactions as part of their allergies. There can also be headaches which are caused by certain foods. Additives such as MSG are incredibly bad for you and your health, and should always be eaten in moderate amounts or not at all if possible. As well as this, having an allergy to a specific type of food which isn't bad for you can cause headaches.
These are a just some of the allergy symptoms you should look out for. And remember - always consult a medical professional to ensure that you aren't missing anything important in your diagnosis!
Skin Allergies
Are you experiencing skin rashes, a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, ear fullness and popping, watery eyes or even severe life-threatening shock? If you feel any of these symptoms, you probably have an allergy.
Allergies are defined as immune reactions to different stimuli which result into reactions such as the above. In a nutshell, every time your body experiences an overreaction to something that doesn't affect other people, it's an allergy. The thing that causes the allergy is called an allergen.
Every year, over 50 million Americans suffer from some kind of allergy, and this is only the tip of the iceberg. They only reflect those who actually went to a medical institution to seek treatment and not the countless others who treated their allergies on their own. Among all leading chronic diseases, allergies were found to be the sixth most common cause of such diseases. In terms of actual dollars, the American health care system estimates that allergy treatment cost the nation approximately $18 billion a year.
When a doctor discovers an allergy, the first thing he will want to do is identify the allergen because that's the only way he can prescribe the best and most effective treatment. He has to attack the allergy at its root cause. He does this through an allergy skin test which subjects your skin to tiny amounts of allergens and takes not of your reaction to them. Sometimes, doctors employ blood tests to determine allergens.
Skin allergies manifest themselves through hives, rashes or blisters. These are the most common types of allergies.
One of the most common allergens is pollen and it can come from grass, weeds or trees. Pollen is sometimes seasonal in nature. In spring, say in April and May, your allergy is probably caused by tree pollen. In summer, especially during late May to mid-July, the most common cause of pollen-induced allergies is grass. During fall, say from late August to the first signs of winter, you can probably blame weed pollen for your allergy.
Doctors advice people to take a shower before bedtime to clean themselves of any allergens before they go to sleep. Other common allergens are mold, animal dander and dust.
Suffering From Allergy Symptoms?
Allergy is one of the most commonly occurring disorders, which makes its onset from childhood itself. Allergy symptoms differ from one individual to another. There are many different kinds of allergies. The allergy symptoms of each kind of allergy are different and also vary in intensity from one person to another. Well, food allergy is the commonest form of allergy and many of us have experienced allergy symptoms to one or sometimes numerous different foods.
The most common foods which stimulate an allergic reaction are sea-foods, chocolate, eggs, peanuts, cashew nuts, peaches, tomatoes, apples, peaches, bananas, green peas, cantaloupes etc.
For many people the symptoms are disturbing but not severe. Mild allergy symptoms may come on immediately or within a short while after consuming the allergic foods. The commonest symptoms are listed below:
• Swelling of face and lips
• Tingling in the mouth
• Sudden onset of itching with appearance of hives
• Redness and watering of eyes
• Feeling of tightness in the chest or throat
• Sudden headaches or a feeling as if going to faint
Some people are not so lucky, and may come down with very severe and grave symptoms as listed below:
• Vertigo or sudden fainting
• Rapid pulse with cold sweat
• Difficulty in breathing
• Development of shock with sudden dip in the blood pressure
Such cases require immediate hospitalization, as it is highly risky and can even lead to death of the patient.
Bio-Fast™ Allergy relief program has been developed to help patients suffering from allergy symptoms. This program is quite unique, because it provides numerous modalities in response to numerous causes of diseases. Bio-Fast™ Allergy relief program can be tailored according to individual needs of the patients, and includes different aspects like Nutrition, detoxification, repair of the gut, Energy medicine etc.
Categories
- Allergy
- Anemia
- Back & Neck
- Cancer
- General
- Guest Post
- Insomnia
- Lupus
- Obesity
- Stroke & Neurological Conditions
- Surgery
- Therapeutic
- Uncategorized
- Unsorted
Archives
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009