Infant Allergies

Infant Allergies Overview

Allergies are common in children: up to 40% of children have allergic rhinitis, and children are more likely to develop allergies if one or both parents have them (FDA). Allergies may be seasonal, year-round (from dust mites, pet dander or mold) or related to food. In babies, eczema and food allergies are more common than seasonal allergies.

When Do Infant Allergies Develop?

Seasonal allergies are uncommon in a baby’s first year, and more often appear later in childhood, though they can start at any age.

What Causes Infant Allergies?

Children experience the symptoms of seasonal allergies during spring, summer, and fall. The time of allergies can also vary as per your location and the plants surrounding you. When your little one falls victim to one or more of the seasonal allergens, their immune system throws out antibodies that stimulate the release of a protein called histamine to defend against them. The release of this chemical results in allergy symptoms. Here is what causes allergies at different times of the year.

• Spring allergies

This time of the year prevails from March to May and might stretch up to June as well. The common seasonal allergies during this time are caused by tree pollen. Cedar, birch, maple, pine, and oak are some of the major culprits in the act.

• Spring to summer allergies

The time of late spring to summer, typically April to June or July, causes allergies to grass pollen. If your house is surrounded by Bermuda, Orchard, Rye, Brome, or Timothy, your child is very much likely to catch seasonal allergies. If you’re living somewhere in the South of the States, you’ll be suffering from the allergens throughout the year as they pollinate the entire 12 months.

• Summer to fall allergies

This is the time around August to September or October where weed pollen is on the rule. Ragweed is the most common pollen, which is the biggest source of hay fever in children.

Symptoms Of Infant Allergies

If you’ve been listening to a lot of “achoo” noises lately, there is a high likelihood of your child suffering from an allergy. These allergies can develop even if your kid hasn’t had them in the past year. The symptoms of the allergies come up suddenly and stay for as long as your child is exposed to the allergen. These symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Itchy nose
• Watery eyes
• Dark circles
• Wheezing
• Dry cough
• Irritability

You might also frequently hear complaints about the stuffy nose, headache, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, and itchy ears. These symptoms can trigger asthma in your child as well. If you notice your child dealing with the same symptoms every year during spring or fall, it is very much possible for your child’s body to be reacting to outdoor allergens. Also, if one of the parents has had a family history of allergies, there’s a high chance of your kid falling victim to them.

How To Differentiate Between Cold And An Allergy In Your Child?

Allergic rhinitis can affect concentration, sleep and mood, and children may act irritable or moody during allergy season rather than describing their symptoms (ACAAI). Because allergies are often mistaken for colds, they sometimes go untreated.

Both cold and allergies can cause sneezing, runny noses, coughing, watery eyes, and headaches, making it difficult to tell them apart. However, certain things can help you alleviate the perplexity. For example, if your child has a wet cough, fever, his eyes look fine, and the color and consistency of his mucus is thick and discolored, then your child is suffering from a cold. On the contrary, if you identify his eyes as watery or itchy, mucus as watery and clear, cough being dry, and no fever, then these are the clear symptoms of an allergy.

There are other ways to differentiate as well, such as:

• Age

Since kids under one are highly victimized to allergies from eczema and food, seasonal allergies are rare to be diagnosed. So, if you are able to identify the symptoms, they either signify cold or are indoor allergens.

• Duration of symptoms

The symptoms of cold are heightened during the first few days and start to fade away gradually. However, if these symptoms carry on for weeks or months, it’s more likely to be a seasonal allergy.

• Family history

Allergies often run in families. If both parents have allergies, a child is more likely to have them too, and the chance is higher if the mother has allergies (MedlinePlus). An allergist can confirm a diagnosis.

How To Relieve Your Child Of Their Allergy Symptoms?

See a pediatrician or allergist to identify triggers before giving any medicine. Always check the label for age limits: some OTC allergy medicines are approved for children as young as 6 months, but not all (FDA), and the FDA doesn’t recommend OTC cough and cold medicines for children under 2 (FDA). Saline drops, a cool-mist humidifier and gentle nasal suctioning can help with congestion. Keeping windows closed on high-pollen days also helps.

Conclusion

Allergies are common in children, but babies more often have eczema or food allergies than seasonal allergies. For babies with severe eczema or egg allergy, an NIH-sponsored expert panel recommends talking to your pediatrician about introducing peanut-containing foods as early as 4 to 6 months to reduce the risk of peanut allergy (NIH). Learn more in children’s allergies and food allergies.

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Written by: Madiha Ather Hashmi (July 26, 2021)

This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms and before starting, stopping, or combining any medicine.

Infant Allergy FAQs

Can babies have seasonal allergies?

It’s uncommon in the first year; eczema and food allergies are more typical. Check with your pediatrician about persistent symptoms.

When should I introduce peanut to my baby?

For infants with severe eczema or egg allergy, as early as 4 to 6 months after talking to your provider; for mild-to-moderate eczema, around 6 months (NIH).

Can I give my baby allergy medicine?

Only as the label allows; some are approved from 6 months, but not all (FDA).

When should I call the doctor?

Call for a fever of 100.4°F or higher in a baby 2 months or younger, labored breathing or blue lips (FDA).

Sources

Looking to learn more about allergy lifestyles? Find a full list of living with allergies resources here.