| Allergies cause a wide range of symptoms and | | | | Allergic shiners, these dark circles under the eyes look |
| effect children in different ways, when your child | | | | like the beginning of a black eye or smudged |
| experiences the symptoms for the first time, you | | | | mascara, or you may just assume your child isn't |
| may not actually realise that they have had an allergic | | | | getting enough sleep. But they are more likely to be |
| reaction, this is because many child allergy symptoms | | | | due to an increased blood flow near your child's |
| are similar to those of other common childhood | | | | sinuses |
| infections or conditions. | | | | Creases under the eyelids., called Dennie-Morgan lines, |
| Typical symptoms | | | | these are associated with nose-related and chest- |
| Your child may have just one allergy symptom or | | | | related allergies in young children |
| several, the symptoms are often similar for different | | | | Allergic or `nasal` salute. Children with a constant |
| allergic diseases and can change over time. General | | | | runny nose tend to rub their noses upwards with the |
| allergy symptoms include: | | | | palm of their hand. This can also lead to a crease |
| A runny nose | | | | across the bridge of the nose |
| Sneezing | | | | Pulling funny faces. If a child's nose, ears or eyes are |
| A blocked or stuffy nose | | | | itchy, they may twitch or wiggle their face. Some |
| Itchy eyes, ears, lips, throat or roof of the mouth | | | | children also sniff constantly |
| Coughing, especially at night | | | | Dry, rough skin. This is particularly common on the |
| Wheezing and shortness of breath | | | | checks, upper arms and chest, as well as in the |
| Rashes | | | | creases of the elbows and behind the knees |
| Tiredness | | | | Poor attention span. Children with glue ear may have |
| Redness in the face | | | | difficulty hearing, which can lead to poor |
| Some of these symptoms can be caused by other | | | | concentration. |
| illnesses too, so it's important to see your GP if you | | | | Classical allergic diseases |
| are worried about them. | | | | These are the main allergic (atopic) diseases that |
| Hidden symptoms | | | | affect children |
| Sometimes an allergy can cause symptoms that | | | | Allergic rhinitis affects over 20% of the UK |
| aren't typical, especially in children, making them less | | | | population, according to the British Society for Allergy |
| easy to spot. These include: | | | | and Clinical Immunology guidelines for the |
| Headaches | | | | management of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. |
| Unexplained irritability | | | | Symptoms: |
| Nausea | | | | A blocked and/ or runny nose |
| Itching with no sign of a rash | | | | Sneezing |
| Digestive upset | | | | Itching |
| Hyperactivity | | | | Streaming eyes |
| If your child has any unusual, severe or persistent | | | | Sometimes asthma |
| symptoms, it's important to get them checked out | | | | If the symptoms occur throughout the year (called |
| by your GP. They may be signs of an allergy but | | | | perennial allergic rhinitis) they may be mistaken for a |
| could also be something completely different, for | | | | persistent cold. Symptoms that occur in specific |
| example, persistent or recurrent diarrhoea may be | | | | seasons are called seasonal allergic rhinitis, or more |
| due to a problem with their digestive system. | | | | commonly hay fever; eye symptoms are called |
| Recognising allergic children | | | | allergic conjunctivitis |
| There are some physical signs that can alert an | | | | If you are worried about any child allergy symptoms |
| allergy doctor to a child with child allergies before | | | | or that your child may be suffering from child allergies |
| they do any allergy tests. These include: | | | | it is always best to get them checked out by your |
| Unhealthy pale complexion, many children with multiple | | | | GP even if it is not anything to worry about. |
| allergies are also small for their age | | | | |