Allergies
What are the causes?
An allergy is when the body has a reaction to a protein such as foods, insect stings, pollens, house dust mite or other substance such as antibiotics. There are many common allergies.
What are the signs
& symptoms?
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. Seek medical advice if your child has, or has had, a severe allergic reaction. Even if symptoms have died down, they could flare up again and even become life-threatening.
Urticaria – also known as hives or nettle rash can be one of the first symptoms of an allergic reaction. It appears as a raised, itchy rash on just one part o the body or spread across large areas. Your child may have had a reaction to:
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Food, such as nuts, eggs, chocolate, citrus fruits, strawberries, shellfish, a reaction to cow’s milk can also happen in babies younger than six months.
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Irritants such as nettles, latex and chemicals
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Toddlers who have developed an allergy to cats may also break out in hives when stroking a pet.
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Some medicines
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Insect bites and stings
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Heat. A child can break out in hives if they become overheated.
It may go away in a few hours or days. If hives are particularly itchy or swollen, see your GP.
Anaphylactic Shock
Anaphylaxis is a dangerous type of allergic reaction which is most likely to be caused by particular foods, insect bites or medicines.
Early signs of allergic reaction:
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Swelling and itching; the face may be flushed and wheals or hives may erupt on the skin.
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Lip or facial swelling
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Acute vomiting/abdominal pain
Anaphylaxis or severe reactions
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Difficulty breathing, coughing and/or wheezing.
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Loss of colour; cold and clammy
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Loss of consciousness (may appear asleep)
Call 999 and tell the operator you think the child has anaphylaxis.
How is it normally diagnosed
& treated?
If available, an adrenaline injection should be given as soon as a serious reaction is suspected. If you already have an EpiPen or injection device, make sure you know the correct way to use it in advance of an emergency.
