Common Child Allergies

The Three Most Common Allergens Among Children

It is important to be aware of the most common allergens among children so you can quickly detect the cause of their symptoms. Because children can not articulate what they are feeling or when the sensation began, it is up to the parents and caretakers to notice the symptoms and know what to do about them. In some cases, the child may simply be uncomfortable; in other cases, however, the symptoms may actually be life threatening.

The three most common allergies among children are food, contact dermatitis, and airborne.

Food

Though a child may be allergic to any kind of food, the most common food products that children are allergic to are gluten products, peanuts, wheat, dairy products, soybeans and seafood.

Airborne Particles

These allergens include seasonal irritants such as pollen, mold and mildew as well as indoor irritants that exist year-round including pet dander and house dust.

Contact Dermatitis

There are so many substances that may cause contact dermatitis. Your child could be allergic to soaps and fragrances, fabrics, insecticides, cleaning products, detergents, and nearly any substance in his environment. If your child displays the symptoms of dry, itchy, red or swollen spots on the skin, you should consider all the things he comes into contact with on a regular basis.

If your child displays any of the symptoms described in this article, you should begin a strategy to help identify the problem and then take measures to either remove the source of the allergen or seek medical direction for managing the allergy. If your child has a life-threatening reaction to an allergen, you should seek immediate medical assistance. In particular, if there is swelling in or around the mouth, this is an indication that he is struggling to breathe. Even if you do not know the cause of this symptom, you should seek the help of a medical professional to stop the swelling as soon as possible.