When do allergies start in kids?

Allergies can start very young. You might see skin reactions first: sore, red patches on your baby’s cheeks and scalp (eczema). This may be followed by food allergies, often at weaning time, then respiratory allergies like hay fever. Some children could develop allergic asthma by the time they go to school.

There’s a pattern to how allergy symptoms in kids often start and progress. It’s called the allergic march:

• Babies: About 20% of kids get eczema, often before their first birthday. It can be inherited from parents. A child may also have a weaker than usual skin barrier. This lets foreign substances in, which could cause an allergic reaction.

• Toddlers: Food allergies often start between the ages of 1-3 years old. They can cause stomach upsets and more serious symptoms. Anaphylaxis can occur due to allergies to certain foods. It is a severe allergic reaction that affects the whole body and can be life-threatening.

• Starting school: From around 4 to 6 years of age, your child may start having what looks like a lingering cold but could actually be an allergic reaction. If it mainly happens indoors, the trigger could be dust mites or pets. Outdoors and it could be pollen. There are other causes of allergic rhinitis, as well.

• Early school years: Breathing in allergy triggers can inflame the airways and lead to allergic asthma. This can make kids wheeze and cough and feel like they have a tight chest. These symptoms may continue into adolescence and adulthood.

• Teenagers: Some teens may not react to certain food triggers any more. Respiratory allergies often persist.