3 Symptoms Of Respiratory Allergies In Children
If your child has never been diagnosed with seasonal allergies or allergic rhinitis, the symptoms may take you by surprise. A once happy, enthusiastic child may suddenly be irritable and cranky. Parents may not recognize respiratory allergies, however, if their child does not have a runny nose or ongoing sneezing. Often, it takes a visit to a medical professional to conclusively diagnose respiratory allergies.
The symptoms your child experiences may vary, but the following symptoms are common for individuals who suffer from respiratory allergies:
Post-Nasal Drip
The glands in the nose and throat produce mucus constantly. This helps to keep the tissue in your nasal passages moist, fights bacteria and helps trap foreign pollutants and allergens. Your child typically swallows this mucus constantly throughout the day, without noticing it. If their respiratory system becomes irritated by an allergic reaction to something in the air, the volume of mucus increases dramatically. This may lead your child to clear their throat constantly, cough throughout the day and night or snore loudly when they sleep.
Under-Eye Darkness
If your child is suffering from respiratory allergies, they'll have an increased blood flow to their nose, throat, eyes and other areas of their face. In some situations, this can lead to under eye darkness, or "allergic shiners." Your child may look as though they didn't get enough sleep, or, in severe cases, as if they have two black eyes. The tissue discoloration is not painful or harmful, but is a clear sign of an allergic reaction.
Itching
A child that is having an allergic reaction to something taken in through the respiratory system may experience ongoing itching, as well. They may complain of an itching or burning sensation in their eyes, their nose or the back of their throat. They may tell you that the skin on their face feels tight, swollen or itchy, as well. These are all symptoms of respiratory allergies. However, itching in the throat can also be a sign of a more serious allergic reaction, so if your child is having difficulty breathing, contact a medical professional immediately.
Respiratory allergies are typically treated by reducing exposure to the allergens and controlling the symptoms with medication. Consult a local medical professional or allergy specialist to learn more about the options available to help you treat your child's allergies. In most cases, medication can control the symptoms effectively, so that your family can get back to normal daily activities. You may be instructed to check out allergy drops for sale at your local pharmacy, or a prescription may be written for stronger medication if necessary.