It is unusual for an infant to suffer from environmental allergies. However, your baby may experience traditional allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion and rashes. These symptoms are often caused by something other than an allergic reaction. Learning more about allergies and their causes helps you recognize the signs of allergies during infancy and as your child ages.
Understanding allergens
When your child comes down with a rash or stuffy nose, it is often difficult to find the cause. Are they dealing with an allergy, a cold, or something else entirely? Allergies are one of the most frequently reported medical conditions for children. Allergic reactions are the body’s overreaction to a substance that is ingested or present in the surrounding environment. The culprits of these reactions are called allergens. The cause of your child’s allergy is not always clear, but allergists have found that genes play a major role. If both parents have suffered from allergies, the child’s risk of developing allergies raises to about 70 percent.
When to watch for allergies
Infants may develop allergies to food as soon as the food is introduced, but environmental allergens are unlikely in the early stages of life. It takes about a year to develop sensitivities to environmental allergens. Since foods are the most likely cause of allergies for infants, watch for symptoms immediately after a new food is introduced. If you have breastfed your baby, you will likely see signs of food allergy after you start to introduce solid food, if allergies are present at all.
Common food allergies in infants
Young children commonly have with milk, egg, fish, nut, soy, or wheat allergies. If your infant is allergic to cow’s milk, this could show up as soon as you introduce formula. Nearly 80 percent of the formulas are milk-based. How will you know your child has a food allergy? Food allergies often result in skin rashes, wheezing, hives, congestion, and digestive issues. It is best to take your baby to a pediatrician as soon as you suspect infant allergies.
Allergy testing for infants
Rashes and nasal congestion in children are often caused by something other than an allergen, although these are common allergy symptoms. If your infant displays symptoms of allergies after introducing food, you should visit your pediatrician. The doctor will go over your child’s symptoms and ask about a family history of allergies, then conduct a physical exam. If your child is old enough, the pediatrician will test the skin. Both infants and young children may need to have their blood tested. Once the cause of the allergic reaction is found, your pediatrician can come up with a plan to avoid allergens and treat your infant’s symptoms.
Helping Healthy Children Grow Into Healthy Adults
If you suspect your child has allergies, finding the right pediatrician with experience in allergy testing and treatment is vital. The office of Dr. John Young in Amarillo, Texas is committed to making allergy testing as easy as possible for you and for your child. You can reach us at (806) 354-0404 ext. 3330 or Contact Us by email for more information about our Services.
