Allergies and Your Children: What You Need to Know

Pet allergies occur in about 10 percent of the population, according to the ACAAI. As Fido or Fluffy sheds its fur, your child may experience watery eyes, sneezing or swelling where they came into contact with the animal. Pet dander, skin flakes, saliva and urine can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to these allergens. Your child's allergies may also flare in response to the pollen, mold spores and other outdoor allergens brought inside on your animal's fur.

Insect sting allergies can make an unwanted encounter with a bee very dangerous. If your child is stung and develops hives, itchiness, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, dizziness, unconsciousness or swelling of the tongue or any other area other than the sting site, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Food allergies are relatively rare—the ACAAI estimates the prevalence to be around 4 percent—but can cause serious, life-threatening reactions. Sensitivity or intolerance to peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish or other foods may result in severe swelling of the throat, which requires immediate medical attention.

Some children also experience delayed contact allergies caused by touching a substance such as nickel, polishes, rugs, fabric softeners, deodorants, cosmetics, perfumes, preservatives and dyes. And don't forget plants like poison ivy, poison oak and sumac. These plants contain a compound that can cause severe skin reactions in people who are allergic—up to 85 percent of Americans. Such reactions occur two days after exposure and can persist for weeks without treatment.

What to do if an allergy is suspected

To reduce the chances of a serious reaction, it's important to receive prompt diagnosis of an allergy if one is suspected. An allergist is the best person for this job, and you can find a certified physician on the ACAAI website (www.acaai.org) or through the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (www.aaaai.org).