Allergies in children
Allergies often arise already in childhood. If a child has been diagnosed with , for example, atopic eczema , then there is a higher probability that he will suffer from an allergy during his life. In the case of a pollen allergy, it can start with so-called hay fever , which over time can develop into allergic asthma . Food allergies can also begin to manifest themselves already in childhood . It is important to recognize an allergy as soon as possible and start treatment.
Genes and environment
If parents suffer or have suffered from allergies , the risk that their children will also suffer from allergies is significantly higher than in families without this predisposition . However, not only genetics but also the environment play an important role.
Prevention options
Possibilities of primary prevention (i.e. ways to completely prevent the occurrence of allergies) during pregnancy or breastfeeding are unfortunately practically non-existent. To this day, there is no convincing evidence that the mother’s diet before or after birth , or even the later introduction of complementary foods, has any effect on the development of allergies in the child. However, if the allergy already exists, so-called secondary prevention makes sense . This consists on the one hand in preventive measures (e.g. elimination of dust mites, general avoidance of allergy triggers ) and on the other hand in so-called specific allergen immunotherapy ( SAIT ) , which can prevent further worsening of the allergy [1]. More information can be found in the article Allergies: prevention .
Typical allergies in childhood
Common allergic symptoms in children include atopic eczema , food allergies , allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic asthma .
Atopic eczema
Atopic eczema can manifest itself in infancy, especially in children with a genetic predisposition . Wet, itchy and scaly deposits can be observed on the child’s skin – they are mostly found on the chin, forehead, cheeks, neck and nape (so-called predilection sites). In young children and schoolchildren, “flexible” places are often affected (wrist, elbow and knee sockets, etc.). Skin eczema changes during development, and chronic skin changes (so-called lichenification) can also form.
Food allergies
Food allergies in infants are usually manifested by skin rashes ( hives , angioedema , exacerbation of eczema) or digestive problems (mostly diarrhea or vomiting ). The most common food allergens in childhood include chicken eggs and cow’s milk. Allergies to wheat flour, soy, fish or peanuts are more rare.
Restrictions in the choice of food often last only until school age, because by then the immune system of a child who suffered from a food allergy (for example to milk or eggs) will “learn” to tolerate the relevant allergen. However, with other allergens, such as peanuts, it is necessary to expect that the allergy will not disappear, and to avoid such an allergen for life. You can find more detailed information in the Food Allergies category .
Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis
Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis usually manifests itself between the 3rd and 7th year of the child, rarely even earlier. It is an allergic rhinitis and at the same time an allergic conjunctivitis . Several allergens (e.g. pollen , dust mites ) come into consideration as triggers.
Allergic asthma
If symptoms suggestive of allergic asthma appear in infancy (e.g. cough without an accompanying cold , “whistling” in the airways ), it is necessary to take into account the possibility that the child suffers from an allergy (for example to dust mites or animal fur ).
Less common triggers of allergies in children include insect poisons and medicines . These – and some foods in addition to them – can lead to the development of anaphylactic shock , which directly threatens the child’s life.
It is important to establish a diagnosis in time
Symptoms of allergic diseases in children are similar to symptoms in adults. If you have eczema, breathing problems (even with a cough) or a chronic or seasonal runny nose, or watery eyes , you should visit a pediatrician and then an allergist without hesitation , who will help establish an accurate diagnosis.
Similar to the case in adults, diagnosis in children also consists of a careful history taking (obtaining information about past illnesses), blood tests (determination of allergen-specific IgE antibodies ) and common skin tests (e.g. prick test , scratch test or epicutaneous test ). From the age of six, the doctor can also recommend a functional examination of the lungs (e.g. spirometry ).
In the case of blood tests, specific IgE antibodies are detected in the blood. These antibodies are determined separately for each allergen (e.g. cow’s milk, mites, grass pollens). Multiallergen tests (ie tests with a mixture of allergens) can also be performed. By analyzing the individual proteins – the so-called components – of a certain allergen (for example, casein, lactoglobulin and lactalbumin in milk), the doctor can evaluate the risk and the prognosis even better.
For cases where the trigger cannot be determined by a targeted history or blood or skin tests, allergen provocation tests are available and are performed under strict medical supervision. A specific allergic disease is often confirmed on the basis of several different tests.
Therapy
As with adults, any confirmed allergy requires avoiding contact with triggers. For tips on how to prevent contact with allergens, see the following articles:
