What To Do In Case Of An Allergy Attack In Children

If you are a parent or caregiver responsible for a child with mild, moderate, or severe allergies, it is important that you know what to do during an allergy attack in children in your home or care.  How you react to an allergy attack children in your care might experience is dictated by the type of reaction and its severity.

Mild To Moderate Allergy Attack in Children—Symptoms And Responses

The following symptoms may present during an allergy attack in children with mild to moderate allergies:

• Itching—skin, eyes, nose, face, mouth
• Reddened skin
• Minor swelling
• Stuffy, runny, or watery nose
• Watery eyes
• Hives present anywhere on the body
• Cough
• Troubled breathing

Mild allergy attacks are those that might cause some minor discomfort, but pose no danger to life and do not affect the child’s regular activity (in other words, the child is not suffering from more than mild discomfort and is not missing school, day care, or activities).  Mild allergy attacks in children are localized on the body and do not spread to other parts of the body.  These can range from spot-reactions to skin irritants and poison ivy, etc. to seasonal or pet allergies that occur infrequently.  Mild allergy attacks in children warrant treatment usually only to make the child more comfortable, but not for health reasons.

A moderate allergy attack in children will have more of an affect on their normal activity.  These may occur for only days or weeks of the year if the allergy is seasonal or environmental, but can significantly affect their health and function.  Children suffering from a moderate allergy attack will experience significant discomfort and generally require some relief.  Moderate allergy attacks in children can be widespread and affect more than one part of the skin or body.  Chronic problems should be reported to a doctor so that a treatment plan can be devised and the impact on the child’s life overall can be reduced or eliminated.

Mild to moderate allergy attacks can be treated with oral antihistamines such as Diphenhydramine for the relief of allergy symptoms.  Lasting mild to moderate allergy attacks in children may require a treatment plan as devised by a doctor or maintenance medications.

Asthmatic attacks and/or asthma-related symptoms can emerge as the result of a moderate allergic reaction.  This occurs when the linings of the lungs and airways become irritated and inflamed; allergies can be a trigger for asthma attacks.  In children where this is the case, treatment of moderate allergies takes on more importance because the ability of the body to deliver adequate levels of oxygen is compromised.  Allergy treatment is needed more for the control of asthma than for control of the allergy attack for children with allergy-induced asthma (or asthmatic symptoms).  It is most likely these children will receive both allergy and asthma treatments and medications.  In the case of a combined asthma and allergy attack, children should see their doctor to determine both short and long term treatment.

Severe Allergy Attack In Children—Symptoms And Responses

The most concerning allergy attacks in children are severe reactions.  Symptoms of a severe allergy attack in children include:

• Swelling, especially of the face or mouth—caregivers should pay close attention to this because it may lead to or be combined with swelling of the throat and interior airways which can restrict breathing
• Difficulty breathing and/or swallowing—a risk to air intake and a choking hazard
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness, fainting, loss of consciousness, confusion, or disorientation

Any time symptoms of a severe allergy attack in children exist, caregivers must act quickly to alleviate the reaction and maintain air flow (breathing!).  This includes acting when a child has been exposed to a food or allergen that has produced a severe allergy attack in the child in the past (even if symptoms do not seem severe at first).  When breathing is compromised, 911 or local medical emergency response teams should be called immediately.  Emergency medical attention (via paramedics or emergency room) is warranted with any severe allergy attack in children.  Children who have been prescribed an epi-pen (injectable epinephrine) should use it as per previous doctor’s orders and/or upon exposure.

Prevention is the best form of treatment for allergy attacks in children; if you can limit or eliminate exposure to an allergen, do so and avoid the need for any allergy response.  And as always, if there is any doubt as to whether medical attention is needed, go with caution and get it anyway!

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