Allergy Symptoms in Babies

Allergy symptoms in babies can either appear immediately or several days after the initial exposure to the specific allergen or food, to which they develop allergy. Though these symptoms are usually mild, occasionally, they can lead to some potentially serious conditions. Read on to know more about the symptoms of allergies in babies.

Allergy can be termed as a disorder associated with the immune system, where it becomes hypersensitive to certain substances, that are considered harmless, as the immune system in a non-allergic individual does not react to them. Generally, our body produces immune response, when we encounter some harmful and infectious agents like bacteria, virus or fungi. In such a situation the immune system recognizes these foreign substances, and produces antibodies and chemicals like histamines to destroy them. But in certain individuals, who are allergic, immune system can produce antibodies and chemicals against some foreign, but non-infectious substances, which are called allergens. The result is an exaggerated immune response, which can cause allergic reaction in both adults and children.

Causes of Allergies in Babies

Allergy still seems a mystery to mankind, even after such scientific and technological advancement. Though a number of factors can be held responsible for triggering an allergic reaction, the exact cause of it is still unknown. Genetics is supposed to play a very important role in allergies, as allergies have been observed to run in families. Allergy is basically considered as an exaggerated immune response, which can be stimulated by a number of environmental substances, which are termed as allergens. Such allergens include dust, mites, pollen, animal dander, mold, latex and some specific foods. An allergic reaction produced by the ingestion of a specific food is called food allergy. The most common foods that can cause allergies in babies are cow's milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, fish, cashews, walnuts and fish. More on food allergies.

Allergy Symptoms in Babies

If your baby is allergic to environmental allergens like dust, mites or pollen, you can observe some mild allergy symptoms like skin rash, itchy and watery eyes and sneezing, when he or she comes in contact with the specific allergen. Sometimes, he or she can also develop symptoms like runny nose, cough, and congestion. However, these allergy symptoms are mild, which can be easily alleviated with the help of simple medicines like, decongestants and antihistamine medications. But if the child develops breathing difficulties, then it is better to seek medical attention immediately.

If your baby is allergic to a particular food, then ingestion of it can cause swelling, hives, eczema and gastrointestinal problems, like diarrhea and vomiting. Eggs, milk and wheat are some of the most common foods, to which your child can become allergic. The egg allergy symptoms in babies can include, stomach upset, urticaria (a skin condition characterized by skin eruptions, caused usually by allergic reaction) and vomiting. Such symptoms can develop immediately or within 24 hours after ingesting eggs. Severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis is quite rare in case of egg allergy. On the other hand, the wheat allergy symptoms in babies are urticaria, eczema, allergic rhinitis, asthma and gastrointestinal problems, which he or she can develop after ingesting wheat and wheat products or inhaling wheat flour. More on food allergies in infants.

A child with cow's milk protein allergy can experience symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, hives and wheezing, within a few moments after ingesting cow's milk. However, every child does not develop allergic reaction immediately after ingesting cow's milk. Many times, it has been observed that the onset of milk allergy symptoms in babies is quite slow. A child can develop symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, skin rash or hives, abdominal cramps, runny nose and cough even 10 days after his or her initial exposure to cow's milk. Rarely, a child with milk allergy can develop a life threatening condition, known as anaphylaxis, which is characterized by breathing difficulties, swelling, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and confusion. If the condition is not treated immediately, it can prove fatal.

Decongestants and antihistamine medications are the most common drugs for allergy relief. An acute outbreak of food allergy can require epinephrine injection. However, the avoidance of the particular allergen is considered as the best treatment for allergy. Therefore, babies should not be exposed to any food or environmental allergen, to which they are allergic. Occasionally, a baby can develop so much sensitivity to a particular food, that even the mother's milk may produce allergic reactions, if she happens to consume that food. In such a situation, the nursing mothers may be required to avoid that particular food. Apart from these, it has been observed that breast fed babies are less likely to develop milk allergy. Therefore, many physicians recommend exclusive breastfeeding of babies during the first 6 to 12 months of their life, either to prevent or delay food allergies. At the same time, understanding and identifying the specific allergen and allergy symptoms in babies, are equally important to prevent any life threatening condition, associated with allergy.