Allergies in Babies

Babies have allergies just like adults. It might be sometimes difficult to know if the baby has an allergy or just a cold. How can you find out if your baby has an allergy?

Cold or allergy?

The symptoms of a cold or an allergy are very similar. Here are some symptoms that can relate to both conditions:

– Runny nose
– Watery eyes
– Cough
– Nasal congestion
– Sneezing

Here are some ways to tell the difference between an allergy and a cold:

– If the symptoms last for more than 10 days you can be relatively sure that it is an allergy. This is because cold symptoms abate in ten days. Therefore, if the baby has a runny or stuffy nose continually, it is a sign of an allergy.
– An allergy often causes itchy nose. Therefore, the baby often rubs his nose when suffering from an allergy.
– Frequent sneezing is also a sign of an allergy.
– Watery eyes sometimes indicate an allergy.
– If the skin under the eyes looks dark, it can be a sign of an allergy.
– A dry cough or breathing from the mouth can also be allergy signs.
– Skin problems can indicate an allergy. Is your baby’s skin red and itchy? This can be caused by an allergy.
– Ear infections, asthma and sinus infections can occur more easily in babies with allergies.

Allergies in babies differ from adults’ allergies in that they are only developing in a baby. Therefore, if your baby does not show symptoms of allergy when exposed to an allergen it does not mean that he would not develop an allergy to the allergen later on. This is why babies have to be carefully regarded when it comes to potential allergy development. See how your baby reacts to allergens such as pollen or household pets. If you see signs of an allergy contact a pediatrician for consultation.