According to Jordan E. Scott, M.D., an Allergist/Immunologist for Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, allergic disease, particularly food allergies in children are “on the rise.” Common food allergies include, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, wheat, soy, eggs, dairy and sesame.

“Family history is very important,” Scott says. If either or both parents have allergies, it’s important to watch your child for any signs of allergies, which include rashes such as eczema or hives, chronic coughing or chronic congestion.” You may be instructed to delay the introduction of certain foods to an infant or toddler. Keep in mind though, “avoiding the consumption of these common food allergens until a later age does not guarantee that one won’t develop a food allergy,” Scott says.

“Eczema [a skin condition in which the skin is first itchy and then becomes red and irritated due to scratching] may start in infancy. Children with eczema are at risk for the development of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma,” advises Scott. Hay fever symptoms include nasal congestion, recurrent sneezing, itchiness in the nose and eyes and coughing. Common environmental allergy triggers include pet and other animal dander, mold spores, cockroaches and pollens from trees, grasses and weeds.

If your child has severe allergic reactions, your doctor may recommend that you carry an Epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen or Twinject) with you at all times. This is a prescribed treatment for those who have a history of severe allergic reactions, which may include breathing trouble, swelling of the throat or tongue and hives all over the body. “Epinephrine, when given early,” says Scott, “can provide crucial relief of symptoms until your child is able to receive the appropriate emergency medical attention.”

Should you suspect your child might have allergies, make an appointment to talk with your child’s doctor. Come prepared to your appointment informed about what you think your child may have been exposed to prior to showing his or her allergy symptoms.

The following is a list of helpful resources to use when conducting your research:

1. aaaai.org (American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology)
2. aafa.org (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
3. acaai.org
(American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology)
4. allergicchild.com
5. foodallergy.org (The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network)

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