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Allergic reactions in children
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Allergic reactions in children develop as a result of a decrease in the baby's sensitivity threshold to the effects of some allergen. The body's reaction can manifest itself as an acute response (immediate hypersensitivity) or a more protracted one (delayed hypersensitivity).
Such reactions of the organism underlie the development of diseases of allergic genesis, for example, bronchial asthma or hay fever. Provoking substances can be house dust, animal hair, plant pollen and many other things. Not always as a result of the first encounter with an allergen there is a response with characteristic symptoms. They are more often observed upon repeated encounters.
Most allergic pathology occurs in childhood. The main clinical manifestations of allergic reactions are runny nose, swelling, hyperemia, shortness of breath and intestinal disorders.
Allergies affect approximately 15-20% of children and adults. The degree of expression of the body's response to the allergen determines the volume of clinical manifestations. In some cases, rhinitis, itching and lacrimation are possible, in other children the clinical picture may consist of skin lesions, pain in the abdomen, cough, nausea and headache.
[ Causes of allergic reactions in children
Genetic predisposition plays an important role in the development of allergic reactions. Cases of allergy transmission to children from parents and close relatives are quite common. In addition, cases of allergy to food, cigarette smoke, stressful situations or the environment are known.
The causes of allergic reactions in children are characterized by the impact of various allergens on the baby's body. Among them, the most common is the influence of house mites, which are contained in dust, pollen of flowering plants and trees, inhaled through the upper respiratory tract.
Children who have pets (cats, pigs, rats, dogs) at home are especially susceptible to developing allergies. Cat fur is the most irritating allergen. However, not only fur, but also saliva particles and skin peeling residues can also act as an allergen.
Causes of allergic reactions in children may be contained in such food products as dairy products, chocolate, citrus and other fruits, chicken eggs and spices. It is worth mentioning food additives and dyes, which can also cause allergic reactions in children.
Some people suffer from clinical manifestations of allergy in response to stressful situations, fear, anger and other psychogenic factors. Allergies to medications, especially antibacterial and antimicrobial ones, are quite common.
Symptoms of allergic reactions in children
Allergy manifestations depend on the volume of the influencing factor, its degree of activity and the body's sensitivity. The response can manifest itself in different ways, involving internal organs and skin in the process.
Symptoms of allergic reactions in children on the face are manifested in the form of hyperemia, rash elements and peeling. Such signs are not as scary as affecting the throat and respiratory tract, as a result of which the respiratory function may be impaired and a cough may occur.
Food allergies are very common and are characterized by the appearance of a rash up to the formation of blisters, reddening of the skin, severe itching and profuse prickly heat. In addition, the baby's sleep is disturbed. In some cases, the development of Quincke's edema, bronchospasm, damage to the digestive tract with nausea, flatulence, colic and intestinal dysfunction are observed.
Symptoms of allergic reactions in children on the skin can manifest as diathesis, eczema with typical blisters, crusts and itching, as well as atopic dermatitis.
Types of allergic reactions in children
Taking into account the development mechanism, the following types of allergic reactions in children are distinguished: true and pseudoallergic. The first type of allergic reaction goes through 3 stages of development.
The immunological stage consists of sensitization of the baby's body to the provoking allergen, which involves the accumulation of antibodies in response to its effect.
The biochemical stage is characterized by the occurrence of an immune response in the event of repeated contact with a given antigen-allergen, resulting in the release of histamine.
And finally, the pathophysiological stage includes clinical manifestations of an allergic reaction. Such types of allergic reactions in children as the pseudoallergic type are related to pathology without the participation of the immune system, that is, they are characterized by the absence of allergic antibodies and sensitized cells (lymphocytes).
The immunological type of reaction is caused by the mechanism of immediate or delayed hypersensitivity. In the process, mediators with powerful biological activity are released and cause redness, itching, dizziness, headache and difficulty breathing.
Acute allergic reactions in children
The body's reaction to the influence of an irritant may vary. Acute allergic reactions in children are a special area of medicine, as they develop very quickly and provoke the appearance of severe dysfunctions of the main vital functions. As a result of the lightning-fast development of an allergic reaction, the life of the baby may suffer.
Acute allergic reactions in children require immediate medical care, since every minute is important. Such reactions occur in response to the impact of an allergen in the form of a pronounced immune-inflammatory complex.
There are two groups of the body's response to the influence of an irritant - local and generalized reactions. Local manifestations are characterized by the development of Quincke's edema, allergic rhinitis and lacrimation, urticaria, exacerbation of broncho-obstructive pathology and bronchial asthma.
Common manifestations of an allergic reaction include anaphylactic shock and toxicoderma. All of the listed acute reactions, especially generalized ones, require immediate medical intervention.
Diagnosis of allergic reactions in children
When visiting a doctor about an allergy, it is first necessary to establish the cause of its development. Thus, in order to determine the influence of genetic factors, it is worth finding out about the presence of similar allergies in close relatives. If this fact is revealed, a more detailed diagnosis should be carried out with the determination of the provoking factor - the allergen.
The main diagnostic method for allergic reactions in children is to perform skin tests to identify the cause of the development of allergic reactions.
The process of performing an allergy test is based on the subcutaneous injection of a certain irritant substance or by means of a needle test using household allergens.
To perform a skin test, a special patch with an allergen applied to it is used. Then it must be glued to the baby's skin and the reaction observed.
Diagnosis of allergic reactions in children also involves the use of additional examination methods. Among them, it is worth paying attention to the blood test to detect antibodies to each allergen. If after conducting these tests the cause of the allergy has not been established, then it is worth conducting a provocative test.
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Treatment of allergic reactions in children
Helping a baby suffering from allergies involves reducing the activity of the allergic process and the severity of clinical manifestations. In addition, it is necessary to prevent further development of allergies using preventive measures.
Treatment of allergic reactions in children includes a whole range of measures. The volume of drugs used depends on the degree of activity of the process and symptoms. It is also necessary to take into account the causative factor that provokes the development of an allergic reaction.
Treatment of allergic reactions in children involves the use of antihistamines (cetrin, claritin, alleron). In addition, it is necessary to use special creams if there is damage to the skin. Other medications are prescribed depending on the symptoms.
In severe cases, it is recommended to use hormonal agents and the desensitization method. It is based on the gradual introduction of the allergen into the body, regularly increasing the dosage. Thus, the body begins to resist the irritant and subsequently ceases to manifest clinically.
An important direction in the treatment of allergies is sanatorium and resort treatment. Children strengthen their immunity and increase resistance not only to allergens, but also to infectious agents.
Prevention of allergic reactions in children
The most effective method of preventing the development of such conditions is the prevention of allergic reactions in children. It begins in the prenatal period, when the fetus can first encounter allergens. To avoid sensitization of the body, a pregnant woman should follow a certain diet. She should exclude citrus fruits, nuts, chocolate, honey and other highly sensitizing products.
In addition, it is not recommended to take large amounts of medications, smoke, and, on the contrary, spend more time in the fresh air.
Prevention of allergic reactions in children in the neonatal period consists of breastfeeding, and in its absence, the use of highly adapted mixtures with a minimum amount of allergens.
In addition, it is necessary to regularly carry out wet cleaning in the room and try to limit the baby's contact with pets. They are not only carriers of infection, but also have such an allergen as wool.
If you suspect an allergy to pollen and other plants, it is recommended to limit your baby's contact with them.
Prognosis of allergic reactions in children
Each child reacts to allergens differently, so it is quite difficult to predict how active the reaction will be, especially if his body encounters the irritant for the first time.
In the case of seasonal allergies, parents have already encountered the appearance of symptoms in children more than once and can even prevent their development. However, if an immediate allergic reaction occurs, for example, to a medication or food ingredient, expressed in anaphylactic shock, an ambulance should be called immediately.
The prognosis of allergic reactions in children with this form of immune response depends on the speed of medical care, since anaphylactic shock threatens the life of the child. In the process of its development, vital systems are affected, thanks to which all vital functions are provided.
Allergic reactions in children can manifest themselves in the first months of life, but in the absence of a genetic predisposition to the development of allergies, it is necessary to use all methods of combating it. This is due to the progression of the pathology and the deterioration of the condition every year more and more in the absence of adequately selected treatment.