Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale - Common childhood illnesses & wellbeing - A guide for parents and carers of children from birth (and beyond)

Fifty percent 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 mites or other substances such as antibiotics. There are many common allergies. Some families seem to include more individuals with allergies than other families. Children born into families where allergies already exist have a higher than average chance of developing allergies themselves.

Allergic symptoms can affect the nose, throat, ears, eyes, airways, digestion and skin in mild, moderate or severe form. 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.

Anaphylactic shock

Anaphylaxis is a dangerous type of allergic reaction that is most likely to be caused by particular foods, insect bites or medicines.

Early signs of allergic reaction:

Swelling and itching; the face may be flushed and wheals or hives may erupt on the skin.
Lip or facial swelling.
Acute vomiting/abdominal pain.

Anaphylaxis or severe reactions:

Difficulty breathing, coughing and/or wheezing.
Loss of colour; cold and clammy.
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 your child has an EpiPen or injection device, make sure you know the correct way to use it in advance of an emergency.

Spotting symptoms

This example shows areas where allergy sufferers may experience symptoms. 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 probably the best known type of allergy medication, and most are readily available from a pharmacy without prescription. While antihistamines used to have a reputation for making people drowsy, more modern antihistamines only occasionally have those side effects. Check the packet for details.

Source: www.allergyuk.org

Nose, throat and ears

Runny nose, blocked nose, itchy nose, sneezing, pain in sinuses, headaches, post-nasal drip (mucus drips down the throat from behind the nose), loss of sense of smell and taste, sore throat, swollen larynx (voice box), itchy mouth and/or throat, blocked ear and 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

Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts negatively to a particular food or food substance.

Allergens can cause skin reactions (such as a rash or swelling of the lips, face and around the eyes), digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhoea, and hayfever-like symptoms, such as sneezing.

Children are most commonly allergic to cow’s milk, hen’s eggs, peanuts and other nuts, such as hazelnuts and cashew nuts.

Source: NICE - testing for food allergy in children and young people

Allergies

Managing and understanding your child’s allergy