Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptoms of Children’s AllergiesCauses of Allergies in ToddlersNatural Treatment for AllergiesHow to Prevent AllergiesWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms of Children’s Allergies
Causes of Allergies in Toddlers
Natural Treatment for Allergies
How to Prevent Allergies
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Allergies(allergic rhinitis) are a common childhood problem, and it’s estimated that about 40% of children experience allergic rhinitis each day.An allergy is the body’s response to a substance (allergen) that causes a hypersensitivity reaction.
This article will discuss common symptoms and causes of allergies in children and toddlers and home remedies to treat them.
5 Ways to Soothe Your Child’s Allergy Symptoms
Your child’s allergy symptoms will depend on which type of allergy they are experiencing. Seasonal allergies usually start between ages 2 and 5. Children younger than 2 usually do not experience seasonal allergies because it takes exposure to two years of the season to develop an allergy.
How to Treat and Prevent Spring Allergies
Food allergies cause different symptoms that can become very dangerous. Children under 2 may develop acows milkallergy, and food allergies can start as early as the first year of life.Possible symptoms of a food allergy in toddlers include:
The 9 Most Common Food Allergies
The most common causes of allergies in toddlers and young children include:
The most common allergenic foods that cause allergies in children include:
Uncontrolled seasonal allergies can lead to chronicear infectionsin young children. Allergic rhinitis causes inflammation in the ears. When fluid builds up in the inner ear, it can become infected and lead to an ear infection.
How to Treat Allergies Naturally
Children with mild allergy symptoms may benefit from trying a natural home remedy.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe veragel may help toddlers and children with skin allergy symptoms such as itching or redness. Aloe vera has been proven to effectively treat skin injuries like cuts, burns, and insect bites because of its wound-healing properties.Ask your healthcare provider for a recommendation for child-friendly aloe vera gels.
Eye Drops
Eye drops can be an effective treatment forchildren who experience eye allergy symptomslike redness, itching, and swelling. If your toddler or child is open to trying eye drops, have them lie down flat on their back. Pull down one eyelid and squeeze one drop into the lower eyelid. Then have your child rest with their eyes closed for two minutes.
If your toddler or child is not cooperative with eye drops, you may still be able to use them. Have your child lie down with their eyes closed. Squeeze one eye drop into the inner corner of their closed eye. When your child naturally blinks, the medication will flow into their eye.Ask your healthcare provider or pediatrician which eye drops are safe for toddlers or young children.
The 6 Best Eye Drops for Allergies, Tested and Reviewed
Cold Compress
A warm or cold compress is an easy remedy that is safe for most children to try. It is helpful for children who experience allergic rhinitis andeye allergy symptoms, such as red, itchy eyes. To start, wash your child’s face to clear out any allergens that have attached to the skin.
To make the cold compress, fill a small bowl with ice water. Submerge a clean washcloth in the water and wring out any excess water. Encourage your child to rest with the compress for 10 minutes.
Saline Solution
Rinsing your child’s sinuses with asaline solutioncan be very helpful for allergic rhinitis symptoms if your child is open to trying it.Researchers found that saline nasal irrigation improved nasal symptoms in study participants and reduced the need for allergy medicine.
Saltwater Rinse for Gums and Teeth: Using a Saline Solution
Diet Changes
Diet changes are necessary for children who have a food allergy. If your healthcare provider suspects that your child has a class IgE mediated food allergy (when your child’s immune system causes a reaction to one or more foods), they may recommend anelimination diet.
For allergic rhinitis symptoms, probiotics may help. Research has found that a daily probiotic supplement may improve symptoms and quality of life in individuals with allergies.
Talk with your child’s healthcare provider before trying any new natural remedies.
How to Prevent Allergies in Toddlers
If your child has a pollen allergy, try to decrease the time you both spend outdoors during the pollen season. Keep your windows shut to keep pollen from entering your home. Wipe down any pets that are spending time outdoors as well since their fur can trap pollen.
If your child is still uncomfortable after trying some home remedies, consult your healthcare provider. Allergies that cause serious symptoms like trouble breathing need to be addressed immediately. If your child’s allergy symptoms are serious enough to keep them from attending school or daycare, your healthcare provider may be able to help. They may discuss treatment options, such as allergy testing, medications, and immunotherapy (allergy shots).
Summary
Allergies are a common problem in toddlers and young children. Possible symptoms include a runny nose, itchy eyes, skin rashes, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, and trouble breathing. Common causes of allergies in children include pollen, dust, animal dander, irritants, and food. Home remedies may be effective at treating mild allergy symptoms in children.
A Word From Verywell
Allergy symptoms can leave your little one feeling miserable. As a parent or caregiver, you are likely feeling anxious to help your child feel better as soon as possible. First, talk with a healthcare provider about home remedies to try. If home remedies have not helped your toddler’s or child’s symptoms, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
To help stop your child’s runny nose, have them blow their nose often. Encourage them to drink plenty of fluids and consider using a humidifier at home.
Humidifiers release steam or water vapor to increase the amount of humidity in the air. Breathing higher humidity air can help to relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms and lower inflammation. Although, high humidity can lead to higher dust mite counts since they thrive in warm, moist environments. Talk with your healthcare provider to see if this would be a good option for you.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Allergy relief for your child.Seattle Children’s.Hay fever.American Academy of Pediatrics.Seasonal allergies in children.American Academy of Pediatrics.Food allergies in children.Cedars Sinai.Allergies in children.The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Children and allergies.Sánchez M, González-Burgos E, Iglesias I, Gómez-Serranillos MP.Pharmacological update properties of aloe vera and its major active constituents.Molecules. 2020;25(6):1324. doi:10.3390/molecules25061324Seattle Children’s.Eye - allergy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Seasonal allergies and complementary health approaches.Hermelingmeier KE, Weber RK, Hellmich M, Heubach CP, Mösges R.Nasal irrigation as an adjunctive treatment in allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Rhinol Allergy.2012;26(5):e119-e125. doi:10.2500/ajra.2012.26.3787Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.IgE mediated food allergies.American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.When to see an allergist.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Allergy relief for your child.Seattle Children’s.Hay fever.American Academy of Pediatrics.Seasonal allergies in children.American Academy of Pediatrics.Food allergies in children.Cedars Sinai.Allergies in children.The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Children and allergies.Sánchez M, González-Burgos E, Iglesias I, Gómez-Serranillos MP.Pharmacological update properties of aloe vera and its major active constituents.Molecules. 2020;25(6):1324. doi:10.3390/molecules25061324Seattle Children’s.Eye - allergy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Seasonal allergies and complementary health approaches.Hermelingmeier KE, Weber RK, Hellmich M, Heubach CP, Mösges R.Nasal irrigation as an adjunctive treatment in allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Rhinol Allergy.2012;26(5):e119-e125. doi:10.2500/ajra.2012.26.3787Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.IgE mediated food allergies.American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.When to see an allergist.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Allergy relief for your child.Seattle Children’s.Hay fever.American Academy of Pediatrics.Seasonal allergies in children.American Academy of Pediatrics.Food allergies in children.Cedars Sinai.Allergies in children.The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Children and allergies.Sánchez M, González-Burgos E, Iglesias I, Gómez-Serranillos MP.Pharmacological update properties of aloe vera and its major active constituents.Molecules. 2020;25(6):1324. doi:10.3390/molecules25061324Seattle Children’s.Eye - allergy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Seasonal allergies and complementary health approaches.Hermelingmeier KE, Weber RK, Hellmich M, Heubach CP, Mösges R.Nasal irrigation as an adjunctive treatment in allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Rhinol Allergy.2012;26(5):e119-e125. doi:10.2500/ajra.2012.26.3787Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.IgE mediated food allergies.American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.When to see an allergist.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Allergy relief for your child.
Seattle Children’s.Hay fever.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Seasonal allergies in children.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Food allergies in children.
Cedars Sinai.Allergies in children.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Children and allergies.
Sánchez M, González-Burgos E, Iglesias I, Gómez-Serranillos MP.Pharmacological update properties of aloe vera and its major active constituents.Molecules. 2020;25(6):1324. doi:10.3390/molecules25061324
Seattle Children’s.Eye - allergy.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Seasonal allergies and complementary health approaches.
Hermelingmeier KE, Weber RK, Hellmich M, Heubach CP, Mösges R.Nasal irrigation as an adjunctive treatment in allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Rhinol Allergy.2012;26(5):e119-e125. doi:10.2500/ajra.2012.26.3787
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.IgE mediated food allergies.
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.When to see an allergist.
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