3 Types of allergies in children most often occur and how to deal with them

Allergies do not only occur in adults but can also affect children and babies. As a parent, it is important to know what allergies your little one has and what are the triggers. The following is an explanation of allergies in children and babies.

Various causes of allergies in children and babies

Allergies are a series of symptoms that arise as an exaggerated response of the immune system to foreign substances known as allergens.

Allergic reactions usually occur after the allergen is in direct contact with the skin, is inhaled, or is eaten.

There are various triggers and characteristics of allergies in children and babies. The symptoms that arise also depend on the trigger.

Here are the types of allergies in babies and children that parents need to know:

1. Food allergies

Food is the most frequent trigger for allergies in children. Food allergies arise when the body reacts to proteins that are considered harmful to the body.

This reaction usually occurs shortly after food is consumed.

Most cases of food allergies in children are caused by:

Egg
Cow's milk
Peanuts
Soy
Wheat
Nuts from trees (such as walnuts, pistachios, pecans, cashews)
Fish (such as tuna, salmon)
Seafood (such as shrimp, lobster, squid)

Food allergies to meat, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and grains such as sesame, are also possible.

According to reports from Anaphylaxis Campaign, reports of allergies to sour fruit (such as kiwi) have been common since the 1980s among adults.

Then, in the 1990s, allergy to kiwi fruit began to be found more frequently in children.

Food allergic reactions can vary, from mild to severe.

Before you suspect that your child has a food allergy, first know the common symptoms of a food allergy.

Quoting from Healthy Children, the symptoms or characteristics of food allergies in children are:

The rash or red spots on the skin look like mosquito bites
Sneezing
Wheezing sound
The throat feels tied
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Difficulty breathing
Itching around the mouth
Fast heart rate
Low blood pressure
Anaphylactic shock

In cases of severe allergic reactions, anaphylactic conditions require immediate medical attention.

However, early childhood food allergies can disappear. About 80 percent to 90 percent of allergies to eggs, milk, wheat, and soy will not appear again when the child is 5 years old.

However, few can completely recover from a nut or seafood allergy. That is, this allergy will be carried over to adulthood.

Pediatricians and allergists can perform several tests to diagnose food allergies in children and monitor their progress, whether the allergy has disappeared or not.

2. Allergy to pollen, dust, and mold

Environment is also one of the causes of children's allergies. If your little one overreacts (such as a cough or cold) to the environment, it means that your child has allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis is inflammation that occurs in the nasal cavity due to an allergic reaction.

Symptoms usually appear immediately or appear after your child is exposed to allergens. Some of the symptoms include:

Itchy and watery eyes, anger or swelling
Runny or stuffy nose
Sneezing
Fatigue
Cough

There are various allergens that can trigger an immune system reaction if inhaled through the nose.

Some of the most common types of allergens are pollen, mites, dust, mold spores, and animal hair. Cigarette smoke and perfume are also triggers for this allergy.

3. Drug allergy

Drug allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a drug used.

This reaction occurs because the immune system considers certain substances in the drug as substances that can harm the body.

This condition is different from the side effects of drugs that are usually listed on the packaging, as well as drug poisoning due to an overdose.

Most drug allergies have mild symptoms, and usually subside within a few days of discontinuing use of the drug.

The following are some of the common symptoms of a drug allergy. that is:

Rash or bumps on the skin
Itchy rash
Shortness of breath or shortness of breath
Swelling of the eyelids

Drug allergy symptoms generally appear gradually as the body's immune system builds up antibodies to fight the drug.

These symptoms may not appear immediately when your child first uses the medicine.

In the first stage of use, the immune system will assess the drug as a dangerous substance to the body and then slowly develop antibodies.

On subsequent use, these antibodies will detect and attack the substance of the drug. This process can trigger drug allergy symptoms.

4. Milk allergy

Cow's milk allergy occurs due to a child's immune system reaction with the protein contained in cow's milk.

The types of protein that most often cause allergies are whey and casein. An allergic baby may be allergic to one or both of these proteins.

Based on the recommendation of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), the symptoms of cow's milk allergy are divided into two, namely children who are receiving exclusive breastfeeding and children who are consuming formula milk.

For children who drink exclusively breast milk, allergies are not caused by breast milk but from the food that the mother consumes so that it affects the milk content in breast milk.

So, keep that in mind Breast milk does not trigger an allergic reaction.

The following are symptoms of a milk allergy in children:

Repeated rise of stomach acid to the throat
Vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, and blood in the stool
Iron deficiency anemia
Colds, coughs, chronic
Persistent colic (More than 3 hours per day per week for 3 weeks)
Failure to thrive due to diarrhea and the child does not want to eat.
Iron deficiency anemia due to blood in the stool

If you experience severe symptoms, consult a pediatrician immediately. If you are in doubt if your child experiences symptoms of cow's milk allergy, consult a doctor.

5. Skin allergies

Quoting from Live Well, at least 10 percent of children in the world have eczema, which is a skin allergy. Skin allergies in children are grouped based on symptoms and types, namely:

Eczema (dry, red, and cracked skin)
Rash after handling something
Swelling and itching

If the child experiences this, the doctor will usually prescribe a steroid cream. However, to get the right cream, make sure to consult your doctor first.

How to distinguish between the common cold and allergies in children

Flu is a disease caused by influenza virus infection. While allergies are reactions of the immune system to allergens (allergens).

Although different, they both attack the respiratory tract so that they can cause almost similar symptoms. Some of the differences between flu and allergies include:

Observe allergy symptoms in children

Be it flu or allergies, they both cause sneezing, runny nose and sore throat.

However, there are some things you need to pay attention to to distinguish between flu and allergies, including:

Flu with fever lasts 3-4 days
The mucus due to flu becomes thicker, while allergies are clear
The flu is often accompanied by muscle and joint pain
Itchy eyes

Itchy and watery eyes are not a symptom of the flu, but an allergic disease. In allergic children, their eye bags often swell and turn black from frequent rubbing or scratching.

Pay attention to allergy triggers in children

Allergy symptoms will usually appear when triggered by various things, such as air conditions, weather, or certain types of food.

If the child reacts to dirty air, the house has not been cleaned, or the child eats certain foods, chances are that the little one has an allergy.

This is different from the flu which usually will not be affected by these trigger factors.

When did the symptoms end and were contagious or not

The difference between flu and other allergies that needs to be considered is the length of time the condition affects children.

The flu usually gets completely up in 1 or 2 weeks. Usually it will happen in the rainy season or when the child gets caught in the rain.

In contrast to allergies, which can occur several times throughout the year due to exposure to triggers. If continuous exposure, symptoms can last up to 6 months.

In addition, allergies are not contagious. So, this condition does not get your little one from other people, but rather the immune system is overreacting to a substance.

In contrast to the flu which is very contagious. If a friend or family member has the flu, chances are that the condition that affects your little one is the flu.

How to treat allergies in children and babies

Before using the drugs below, it's a good idea for parents to consult their doctor first. This is so that you get a drug that is suitable for the condition and type of child's allergy. The following is a list of allergy medications in children and babies, quoting from Healthy Children:

Antihistamines

This one drug can reduce allergic reactions by pressing histamine (itching, swelling, mucus) in the tissue. Antihistamines can control allergies with itching accompanied by fever and eczema.

For mild allergy symptoms, your doctor will recommend an over the counter antihistamine drug.

The form of medicine given to children also varies, it can be in the form of syrup, chewable tablets, or nasal spray to treat fever.

However, this spray will feel uncomfortable in the child, maybe your little one is more comfortable with oral medication.

Some types of antihistamines can cause drowsiness and are best given at night. Health workers will advise children to take medication according to their needs and allergic conditions.

Decongestant

For children who experience allergies characterized by nasal congestion, decongestants are very suitable for dealing with the condition.

But sometimes decongestants are combined with antihistamines to treat various symptoms. For example, runny nose, hives, sneezing, and nasal congestion.

Cromolyn

This one drug is often recommended to prevent nasal allergy symptoms in children and babies.

Cromolyn is used every day if the child has chronic allergies or the child is close to the allergen. You can get this medication without a prescription as a nasal spray or by mouth 3-4 times a day.

Cortysteroids

This one drug is also often called a steroid or cortisone which is very effective in the treatment of allergies. Steroid creams and ointments are the mainstay drugs for children who have eczema.

Cortysteroid in the form of a nasal spray is also effective for children who have problems with breathing. Usually used once a day when needed.

Immunotherapy (allergy shots)

Not all allergy problems need to be treated this way. Types of allergies that require immunotherapy are those related to respiratory allergies, such as pollen, dust mites, and molds.

The content of this injection is a fairly strong allergen extract. Allergy shots take a long time and are done gradually. For example, at the beginning of treatment it is done 2 weeks, then every 3 weeks, and finally 4 weeks.

The effects of this injection are felt after 6-12 months after injection. After immunotherapy, the child's allergy will improve. Allergy shots are often carried out for 3-5 years.

Prevent allergies in children and babies

Quoting from the official website of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), there are several recommended ways to prevent allergic diseases in children, namely:

Give your baby exclusive breastfeeding

Breast milk plays a very important role in maintaining the health of both mother and baby. Breast milk is the most natural food and has a good psychological effect on both mother and baby.

Exclusive breastfeeding for six months can prevent allergic diseases in children.

Breast milk contains immunomodulatory components such as sIgA (Secretory Immunoglobulin A) and lactoferrin which plays a role in maintaining the balance of bacterial colonies in the intestine.

This has been shown to play a role in preventing allergies.

In addition, breast milk is also rich in various kinds of cells in the immune system that can strengthen the immune system of an underdeveloped baby.

Give solid food to the baby when he is 6 months old

Complementary feeding (complementary feeding) can be started to be given to children aged 4-6 months in stages according to the age and nutrition of the baby.

The introduction of solid foods earlier, namely before the age of 4-6 months and delaying the introduction of solid foods can increase the risk of developing allergic diseases.

Certain food restrictions are not necessary to prevent allergies.

However, you should have a special record of what food is given to your little one per day.

This is so that you can easily track foods that turn out to be giving bad reactions such as allergies in your little one.

Avoid cigarette smoke

Cigarette smoke exposure during pregnancy, after birth, childhood, and adolescence are associated with an increased risk of developing allergic diseases.

Therefore, an environment that is clean and free from cigarette smoke can prevent allergies.

Being an active or passive smoker in childhood and adolescence is associated with an increased risk of allergies, especially food allergies.

It is important for parents to monitor and educate your child to stay away from secondhand smoke.