Who has Allergies and Why | Atlanta Institute for ENT

Allergen exposure that happens during periods of time when the body’s defenses are weak, such as illness or pregnancy, may play a role in a person developing allergies. Even though, allergies are most common in children, they can occur no matter the person’s age. Allergies can be hereditary. Sometimes they go away, sometimes they do not.

Children and Allergies

Common allergy symptoms for children include

Skin rashes or hives
Asthma
Sneezing, coughing, a runny nose or itchy eyes
Stomach upset

Common Allergy triggers in Children

Outdoors: tree pollen, plant pollen, insect bites or stings
Indoors: pet or animal hair or fur, dust mites, mold
Irritants: cigarette smoke, perfume, car exhaust
Foods: peanuts, eggs, milk and milk products

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

Allergic rhinitis is the most common childhood ailment caused by allergies. Symptoms include a runny and itchy nose, sneezing, postnasal drip and nasal congestion (blockage). A child with allergies may also have itchy, watery, red eyes and chronic ear problems. Even though it’s commonly known as “hay fever,” allergic rhinitis isn’t triggered by hay and doesn’t cause fever.

Nasal congestion

Allergies are the most common cause of a stuffy nose in children. Sometimes a child’s nose is congested to the point that he or she breathes through the mouth, especially while sleeping. This may also cause the child to not get a restful night’s sleep and then be tired the next day. If the congestion and mouth-breathing are left untreated, they can affect the growth of teeth and the bones of the face. Early treatment of the nasal congestion may prevent these problems.

Ear infections

Allergies lead to inflammation in the ear and may cause fluid accumulation that can promote ear infections and decreased hearing. A baby whose hearing is impaired for any reason while learning to talk may develop poor speech. Allergies can cause earaches as well as ear itching, popping and fullness (“stopped-up ears”). Anyone with these symptoms should contact the Sinus Institute of Atlanta to schedule an appointment to see an allergist for possible testing and treatment.

Food allergies

As many as six million children in the United States have some form of food allergy. All parents of a child with a food allergy should be aware of the possibility of anaphylaxis, and for that reason, most children with food allergies are prescribed epinephrine (adrenaline), administered with an auto-injector as soon as symptoms develop.

Allergies and school

Your child’s school should be informed of any allergies. If your child has asthma or a severe allergy, give a copy of your child’s action plan to the school nurse or the administrative office. Also, discuss your child’s access to medication, including epinephrine (adrenaline), in case of an emergency.

Pregnancy and Allergies

Asthma and allergies can raise tough questions for pregnant women — as well as potentially serious complications. Antihistamines may be useful during pregnancy to treat the nasal and eye symptoms of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, the itching of urticaria (hives) or eczema, and as an adjunct to the treatment of serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis (allergic shock). Because symptoms may be of such severity to affect maternal eating, sleeping or emotional well-being, and because uncontrolled rhinitis may pre-dispose to sinusitis or may worsen asthma, antihistamines may provide definite benefit during pregnancy.

Immunotherapy and influenza vaccine

Influenza (flu) vaccine is recommended for all patients with moderate and severe asthma. There is no evidence of associated risk to the mother or fetus.

Continuing allergy shots during pregnancy

It is appropriate to continue allergy shots during pregnancy in women who are not having reactions to the shots, because they may lessen your allergic or asthma symptoms. There is no evidence that they have any influence on preventing allergies in the newborn. It is not generally recommended that allergy shots be started during pregnancy.

It is extremely important to monitor any asthma or allergic problems closely during your pregnancy. In most cases, you and your child can look forward to a good outcome, even if your asthma is severe, so long as you carefully follow your doctor’s instructions. At the very first signs of breathing difficulty, call your doctor. Remember the danger of providing an inadequate supply of oxygen to your baby is a much greater risk than taking the commonly used asthma medications.

Allergies at Work

Some people feel allergic to work, and they may be right! Occupational allergic rhinitis is a condition in which people are affected by workplace allergens, such as cleaning products or chemical fumes.

Allergic rhinitis is commonly known as hay fever. But you don’t have to be exposed to hay to have symptoms. And contrary to what the name suggests, you don’t have to have a fever to have hay fever.

Allergic rhinitis takes two different forms:

Seasonal: Symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis can occur in spring, summer and early fall. They are usually caused by allergic sensitivity to airborne mold spores or to pollens from grass, trees and weeds.
Perennial: People with perennial allergic rhinitis experience symptoms year-round. It is generally caused by dust mites, pet hair or dander, cockroaches or mold. Underlying or hidden food allergies rarely cause perennial nasal symptoms.

Some people may experience both types of rhinitis, with perennial symptoms getting worse during specific pollen seasons. There are also nonallergic causes for rhinitis including irritants such as cigarette or other smoke, perfumes, cleaning products and other strong odors. It’s time to take control of your allergic rhinitis and start enjoying life again.

Occupational Rhinitis

If you develop symptoms that resemble hay fever and appears or becomes more serious at work, you may be suffering from occupational rhinitis. Occupational rhinitis, or work-related rhinitis, is a condition in which symptoms are triggered or further aggravated by allergens in the workplace. These symptoms can include sneezing, a runny nose and watering eyes. Common triggers include cleaning products, chemical fumes, certain types of dust, and corrosive gases. If your allergy symptoms appear at work, or seem to get worse there, schedule an appointment at the Sinus Institute of Atlanta to help you identify potential triggers and develop a treatment plan.

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