Pollen allergy in infants is relatively rare, if anything, it is rather in those infants who are in their first six months of life. Pollen allergy is often mistaken for an upper respiratory tract infection, and even worse, the child may be treated unnecessarily with antibiotics. What are the symptoms of pollen allergy in babies?

Contents:

  1. Pollen allergy in babies: symptoms
  2. Allergy to pollen in babies: what is allergic?
  3. Pollen allergy in babies: diagnosis
  4. Pollen allergy in infants: treatment
  5. Pollen allergy in babies: cross allergy
  6. Pollen allergy in babies: future effects

Pollen allergy in infantsis an inhalation allergy caused by pollen allergens that penetrate the mucosa of the respiratory tract. It usually occurs in children over two years of age, but can also affect infants. Symptoms of pollen allergy in infants are easily confused with symptoms of a viral infection.

Pollen allergy in babies: symptoms

Should be disturbing:

  • prolonged watery runny nose
  • red throat
  • sneezing
  • hoarseness
  • difficulty breathing
  • breathing loud,
  • paroxysmal cough
  • sometimes they are accompanied by non-specific symptoms, such as hyperactivity, problems with sleep and concentration

In a child over 6 months of age, such symptoms may indicate allergy, especially if the child does not seem sick.

Pollen allergies often run like otitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis or bronchitis. And the children are given antibiotics instead of anti-allergic or bronchodilator drugs. The later the treatment is started, the more turbulent the course of the disease can be. Early treatment reduces the risk of developing bronchial asthma.

Allergy to pollen in babies: what is allergic?

Pollen allergy in children is caused by allergens contained in pollen from wind-pollinated plants.

  • Allergy to pollen of trees - most often hazel, alder, birch, less often poplar, oak, willow;
  • Allergy to grass pollen - especially cocksfoot, mint, red fescue, timothy, fragrant tomes, meadow grass, perennial ryegrass, rye
  • Allergy to pollen of weeds - mainly mugwort,nettle, blackberry, quinoa, plantain, sorrel.

Pollen allergy in babies: diagnosis

In an infant, first of all, you need to watch for symptoms - if a runny nose, stuffy nose, watery eyes usually appear after going outside, the probability that the pollen allergy is growing and you need to consult a pediatrician or pediatric allergist. He orders appropriate treatment.

An interview with the child's guardians at this stage is often sufficient to make a diagnosis. In order to reliably diagnose a child, texts are made of blood serum. Total and specific IgE antibodies, ie those characteristic of a given inducing factor, are tested. They are most often performed for children under 3 years of age. A pollen allergy in children is best confirmed by skin tests. But these tests, according to allergists, are reliable only after the age of 3.

Pollen allergy in infants: treatment

In such young children it is impossible to desensitize. The main thing is to eliminate or at least reduce exposure to the sensitiser. Although it is impossible to avoid contact with pollen floating in the air, it is necessary to protect the child as much as possible during pollen seasons. For example, air purifiers will help to keep sterility at home.

To help your child minimize persistent allergy symptoms, you can choose to give your child over-the-counter antihistamines. These drugs are not intended to cure the child, but only to alleviate unpleasant symptoms. They cause a reduction in the production of histamine, which reduces allergy symptoms. There are also topical preparations to soothe a runny nose or tearing and redness of the eyes. In the case of breathing difficulties, bronchodilators and nebulizing steroids are used.

Before administering any preparations, it is worth contacting a pediatrician or allergist first, as some medications may cause drowsiness and adversely affect the infant's well-being. Therefore, it is important that the specialist selects the appropriate drug.

Pollen allergy in babies: cross allergy

If an infant is allergic to pollen, it may be cross-allergic and therefore become hypersensitive to certain foods introduced after 5-6 months of age, especially fresh vegetables and fruits.

  • An allergy to alder, birch and hazel pollen may cause an allergic reaction after eating apples, nuts, pineapple, and carrots.
  • An allergy to grass pollen (including rye) may cause an allergic reaction after eating raw apples, carrots, tomatoes, melons, watermelons, peanuts and flourrye.
  • An allergy to mugwort and plantain pollen may cause an allergic reaction after eating raw celery, watermelon, parsley, apple, carrot and some herbs.

Pollen allergy in babies: future effects

A child's inhalation allergy can lead to asthma. It is even considered the initial stage of asthma by some doctors. This is especially likely if your child is allergic to airborne allergens all year round, due to persistent allergic reactions that can lead to chronic bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

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Category:

Allergies