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Allergies and allergy tests

Learn about allergic reactions and triggers

Learn about hay fever in children

Learn about dust mite allergy in children

Learn about allergy testing for children

Allergic reactions
and triggers

THE 1 MINUTE VERSION
THE 1 MINUTE VERSION

Allergic reactions
and triggers

Kids with allergies have an over-reactive immune system. It reacts to normally harmless substances like pollen, dust mites or food, triggering allergic reactions.

A child might have allergic rashes when they’re small. Eczema and reactions to food tend to start earliest, then respiratory allergies. And kids with one allergy are more likely to develop others, possibly allergic asthma too.

Common allergy triggers and symptoms to look out for in your child:

Pollen, dust mites, pets and mold

Symptoms can be seasonal or go on for the whole year depending on the trigger. They can include:

  • Itchy, runny or stuffy nose and sneezing
  • Itchy, watery eyes, and/or red eyes
  • Coughing
  • Kids may sleep badly too and are tired during the day

Food, especially eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, shellfish and fish

Symptoms can be mild to severe and start within minutes or after a few hours. They may affect specific areas or the whole body and can even be life-threatening. They can include:

  • Feeling or actually being sick (vomiting), diarrhea or cramps
  • Skin rashes, such as hives or eczema
  • Itching of the lips, tongue or throat
  • Swelling of the face, mouth, throat or other parts of the body
  • Wheezing, difficulty breathing and feeling dizzy

Insect stings

Also common allergy triggers and can cause severe and even life-threatening reactions.

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It’s important to get your child an early diagnosis.

The best care for them might be regular medication to reduce their symptoms or, depending on the age and medical history of the patient, as well as the particular trigger, allergy immunotherapy to retrain their immune system.

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Hay fever
in children

THE 1 MINUTE VERSION
THE 1 MINUTE VERSION

Hay fever
in children

Kids as young as 2 years old can start sniffling and sneezing and get red itchy eyes when there’s pollen in the air. The timing is a clue. Trees flower mainly in spring, grass in summer and weeds in fall.

Plants produce pollen. An allergic child breathes it in and their immune system reacts as if it were a threat. Symptoms of hay fever in kids include a stuffy or runny nose and itchy eyes.

5 possible hay fever signs to look for in your child

  1. Your child constantly rubs their itchy nose upwards with the heel of their hand (it's called the allergic salute)
  2. They eat with their mouth open and snore because of a blocked nose
  3. They sleep badly, are often tired and can't concentrate at school
  4. They miss out on hobbies, sport and social life because of their hay fever
  5. They may get a tingly mouth when they eat certain food because of a cross-reaction

Hay fever can go on for weeks or longer if kids react to more than one plant. The only quiet time is during the winter. Tracking your child's symptoms can help your doctor make a diagnosis. Other facts to share include kids already having a food allergy and eczema, which increases the risk of hay fever. As does having allergy in the family.

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Hay fever treatment is available.
It could be short-term allergy medications or allergy immunotherapy.

The treatment options will vary from child to child.

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Dust mite allergy
in children

THE 1 MINUTE VERSION
THE 1 MINUTE VERSION

Dust mite allergy
in children

Dust mites are a common cause of childhood allergies. The tiny bugs live almost everywhere humans live. They feed on dead skin and cluster in cozy spots where it collects; in bed, on stuffed toys, on the sofa and soft furnishings, and in carpet.

One microscopic particle of dust mite debris can be all it takes to trigger an allergic reaction. Typical dust mite allergy symptoms are a blocked, runny and stuffy nose, sneezing and itchy eyes.

The effect of uncontrolled dust mite allergy on kids can be significant

  • Home may be where your child feels worst as dust mites live there too
  • Symptoms disrupt sleep so your child is tired during day
  • Your child might feel upset and embarrassed because of their allergy
  • Sleepovers might be tricky as dust mites thrive in mattresses and blankets if not controlled
  • Kids may have to cope with frequent sinus infections and pain
  • Symptoms can start early and later develop into allergic asthma

Eliminating dust mites at home is virtually impossible, regardless of how diligently you follow all the tips for washing and cleaning to reduce their numbers. Your child is going to come into contact with them anyway in other people’s homes, at school, on the bus or train.

Short-term relief medications like antihistamines and corticosteroids can temporarily reduce allergy symptoms. Meanwhile allergy immunotherapy helps the immune system gradually learn to tolerate dust mites and is a long-term treatment option.

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Don’t let dust mites rule your child’s life. Talk to your doctor about your child’s allergy.

Allergy testing
for children

THE 1 MINUTE VERSION
THE 1 MINUTE VERSION

Allergy testing
for children

Allergy testing is an important step in understanding and managing your child's symptoms. There are 2 main ways to test kids for allergies; direct contact with possible triggers (usually a skin prick test) or by looking for allergy markers in their blood.

Your doctor will compare the results of these tests to their medical history and symptoms to make a diagnosis.

Common allergy tests:

Skin prick test

Usually the first test to help identify pollen, dust mite, pet or mold. Food allergies may need other tests too. A drop of liquid containing an allergen is placed on your child’s arm or back and the skin is gently pricked. A small red swelling like a mosquito bite within the next 15 minutes means that an allergy to the specific trigger is a possibility.

Allergy blood test

The doctor takes a small blood sample and sends it to the lab to be checked for antibodies showing your child could be allergic to particular substances.

Challenge test

This sort of test tends to be for food or drug allergy. Kids have gradually larger doses of the possible trigger with medical staff ready to treat any allergic reaction.

Allergy testing can be mildly uncomfortable for kids but it isn’t usually painful. Explain exactly what’s going to happen and that the tests help the doctor know how to help you help them.

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Allergy tests help doctors explain kids’ symptoms, then guide the treatment plan.

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Find an
allergist

Talk to an expert who knows how to diagnose your child’s symptoms and can offer treatment advice. Ask your family doctor for a referral to a specialist.

Let us help you find an allergist nearby

Treatment options
for kids

ANTIHISTAMINES

for short-term symptom relief

ANTIHISTAMINES
  • Antihistamines block histamine released during an allergic reaction
  • Can be tablets, nasal sprays or eye drops
ANTIHISTAMINES

CORTICOSTEROIDS

for short-term symptom relief

CORTICOSTEROIDS
  • Corticosteroids mimic a hormone in the body and reduce allergic inflammation
  • Can be nasal sprays or eye drops
  • Reduce allergy symptoms rather than preventing or blocking the reaction
CORTICOSTEROIDS

ALLERGY IMMUNOTHERAPY

for long-term treatment

ALLERGY IMMUNOTHERAPY
  • Allergy immunotherapy aims to retrain the immune system with regular doses of the trigger allergen
  • Depending on the allergy it’s available as tablets that dissolve under the tongue or shots
  • Treats the underlying cause of the allergy instead of just tackling symptoms as needed
ALLERGY IMMUNOTHERAPY
Read more about allergy treatment options for children

Allergy treatment
for children

THE 1 MINUTE VERSION
THE 1 MINUTE VERSION

Allergy treatment
for children

The treatment plan is where parents can really make a difference for kids with allergies.
You’ll help your child avoid their allergy triggers and manage their medication. That could be regular symptom relief to tackle their allergies. Your doctor may also suggest allergy immunotherapy to try and reduce your child’s symptoms by changing how their body reacts to certain allergens in their environments.

Different types of allergy medication:

Short-term relief: antihistamines, corticosteroids

  • Can treat allergy symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and so on)
  • Nasal sprays, eye drops, creams, lotions, gels and inhalers
  • Tablets, capsules, liquids for when children have multiple symptoms affecting different parts of the body.
  • Temporarily reduces symptoms while the medicine is in your child’s body
  • Often taken before contact with the allergen and as required during exposure

Long-term relief: Allergy immunotherapy

  • Can treat the root cause of the allergy and help retrain the immune system to be less reactive to these allergens
  • Involves regular controlled doses of a trigger like pollen or dust
  • Available as tablets and shots depending on the child’s age and specific trigger
  • Can reduce symptoms and the need for regular symptomatic allergy meds
  • Intended to provide lasting effect during and after treatment

Always talk to the doctor before giving your child any medication and let them know if the treatment plan isn’t working. Symptoms change and kids can develop new allergies and allergic conditions. Their needs may change when they go to school, start new activities, are exposed to new things. And the treatment plan can change too. Also let them know if your child is experiencing any side effects.

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Always talk to the doctor
before giving your child any
medication and let them
know if the treatment plan
isn’t working.

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Parents also ask

Find answers to some of your other questions about childern's allergies

Find answers to some of your other questions about childern's allergies

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References

  1. Small et al. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):51. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0280-7.
  2. Platt M. Pharmacotherapy for allergic rhinitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014;4(Suppl 2).
  3. Rosenfield L, Keith PK, Quirt J, Small P, Ellis AK. Allergic rhinitis. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2024;20(Suppl 3):74. doi:10.1186/s13223-024-00923-6.
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