Signs Of Food Reaction
- Swelling of the lips, face or eyes
- Hives or welts
- Difficulty talking and/or a hoarse voice
- A wheeze or persistent cough
- Loss of consciousness and/or collapse
- Paleness and floppiness
If your child has an Anaphylaxis Action Plan follow that and call 000 and arrange to be transferred to hospital. Otherwise, please call 000 straight away.
What Is Benadryl Used For In Cats
Benadryl is most commonly used for itchy or allergic skin reactions, vaccine reactions or bug bites. Occasionally, the drug can work as a mild sedative that you can use during long car trips. Benadryl can be used as an anti-nausea or motion sickness medication, but Faught cautions that its best to use a different medication if thats the symptom youre trying to treat.
Can Babies Get Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies are usually caused by pollen from weeds, grasses, and trees. These types of allergies are actually very rare in babies, and they aren’t typically seen until children are 2 or 3 years old at the earliest. “Allergies develop after a cumulative exposure to an allergen,” explains Anne Miranowski, M.D., a pediatric allergist in Fairfax, Virginia. “An infant doesn’t spend enough time outdoors to develop a reaction to tree pollen, grass, or ragweed.”;
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One your little one becomes a toddler, though, the allergies may kick in. Shes at an increased risk if Mom or Dad also has an allergy. Her trigger may be completely different, though; if you’re allergic to pollen, your child might react to cats. But even if you and your spouse never itch or sneeze, your kid isn’t necessarily in the clear.;
Childhood allergies are on the rise, and many young sufferers have no family history. Some experts think our super-clean, ultra-hygienic lifestyle plays a role. If kids live in an almost-germ-free bubble, the theory goes, their immune system will pick fights with other invaders, like pollen or household particles.;
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Tips For Minimizing The Risk Of An Allergic Reaction
How to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction?;As;Dr. Jonathan Spergel’s recent research has shown,;”severe FA reactions and mortality increase with age and are particularly low in infants, supporting early allergen oral introduction.”
So, don’t wait to introduce allergy-causing foods. Delaying the introduction of allergenic foods for a babys first 1-3 years of life can actually increase their food allergy risk. But starting introduction of peanut, egg, and milk before your baby turns one, and continuing to introduce them multiple times a week for several months, is the best way to minimize their risk of an allergic reaction;
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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.;
All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.
FDA Acknowledges Qualified Health Claim Linking Early Peanut Introduction and Reduced Risk of Developing Peanut Allergy in 2017:
Who Is At Risk Of Getting Allergies
It is difficult to determine a single trigger for allergies, so it is not easy to identify whether your child may develop an allergy or not. Nevertheless, genetics seem to have some connection to a person becoming allergic to a particular substance. If it runs in the family, then the chances of your baby too being allergic to the same things is very high. Sometimes, it might not be the same allergen at all, but something entirely new that can cause an allergic reaction. Infants are at an increased risk as their immune system is not fully developed.
Read Also: Can You Develop Food Allergies Later In Life
What Is Food Allergy
Food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakes a specific protein in a food as harmful. Once a person has a food allergy, an allergic reaction occurs every time they eat that food.
About 7% of babies and young children have food allergy. Children can outgrow some food allergies.
The foods that cause food allergy most often are called common food allergens. They include:
- Milk
- Tree nuts
- Soy
- Seafood
- Wheat
- Sesame
What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of A Milk Allergy
In children who show symptoms shortly after they have milk, an allergic reaction can cause:
- wheezing
- swelling
- a drop in blood pressure causing lightheadedness or loss of consciousness
The severity of allergic reactions to milk can vary. The same child can react differently with each exposure. This means that even though one reaction was mild, the next could be more severe and even life-threatening.
Children also can have:
- an intolerance to milk in which symptoms such as loose stools, blood in the stool, refusal to eat, or irritability or colic appear hours to days later
- lactose intolerance, which is when the body has trouble digesting milk
If you’re not sure if your child has an intolerance versus an allergy, talk to your doctor.
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All About Baby Allergies
An infants exposure to allergens may lead to asthma and allergies later on. Heres what you need to know about baby allergies.
A baby’s first sniffles can be scary and confusing, especially when everyone from the nurse at your pediatrician’s office to your mother-in-law spouts conflicting opinions. Most of the time symptoms like runny nose, rash, upset stomach, or crankiness especially if they’re short-lived are the result of a cold or another passing ailment. However, in some cases the cause is allergies.
When baby has an allergic reaction, it’s the result of an inappropriate response by his immune system. The immune system is programmed to fight off illness, but sometimes it reacts to a harmless substance, like pollen, as if it were an invading parasite, virus, or bacteria. To fight back, the immune system overproduces protective proteins called antibodies. This overproduction causes swelling and inflammation of tissues the nasal passages, for example. Your baby’s allergic reaction can recur whenever he’s exposed to whatever triggered it.
The tendency to get allergies is hereditary, but specific allergies are not. For example, if you’re allergic to penicillin, your child may develop allergies although he might not be allergic to penicillin.
Can Benadryl Be Used For Dog Allergies
Benadryl is an antihistamine that blocks the H-1 receptors on smooth muscle and blood vessels. Taken orally, Benadryl can be mild to moderately effective for dogs experiencing mild allergic symptoms.
Vets commonly use it to treat environmental allergies and allergic reactions to insect bites or stings. It can also be used as a pre-treatment for possible vaccine reactions.
But if your pet is having an;acute;allergic reaction with facial swelling or difficulty breathing, take them straight to the vet. Many allergic diseases also require a combination of;allergy medicine and treatment of underlying infections.;
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Precautions To Take When Giving Benadryl To Cats
Just like in people, Benadryl can cause a wide range of symptoms. Your cat may act drowsy. The drug, sometimes, may also cause a cat to get amped up or hyper. Overdoses can lead to seizures, coma, difficulties breathing, and even death.
As with giving any new medication, its best to talk it over with your vet to see if Benadryl might be right for your cat and ensure that the dosage wont interfere with any other medications your cat may be taking.
Its also best to ensure that the medication is not masking a larger issue, says Faught.
Oftentimes, you can have mites or infection or something else that’s going on that might be the underlying component, he says. Benadryl treats a symptom; it doesn’t necessarily take away an underlying problem.
If your cat is having a severe allergic reactionwith problems such as trouble breathingits best to contact your vet to discuss the issue instead of just giving Benadryl to see if the symptom disappears.;
Image:;iamreal-kobzeva;via Shutterstock
Allergy Symptoms In Babies And Toddlers
A child with allergies may have any or all of the following symptoms:
- Dark under-eye circles
- Irritability, restlessness or excessive fatigue
She may also complain about:
- An itchy, runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy eyes, skin, throat or roof of the mouth
- Trouble sleeping
- Shortness of breath or tightness in the chest
- Headache
- Itchy ear canals
If the same symptoms occur around the same time every spring, summer or fall, it may be a sign that your childs body is reacting to outdoor allergens. If you or your partner have a family history of allergies, theres a good chance your little one is predisposed to those seasonal sneezes and sniffles, too.
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If Your Child Has An Allergic Reaction
If your child has symptoms of an allergic reaction, follow the food allergy action plan your doctor gave you.
If your child has symptoms of a serious reaction :
- Give the epinephrine auto-injector right away. Every second counts in an allergic reaction.
- Then,; or take your child to the emergency room. Your child needs to be under medical supervision because, even if the worst seems to have passed, a second wave of serious symptoms can happen.
Your Baby And Peanut Butter
Peanut butter can be a healthy addition to your baby’s diet. The NIH recommends that you begin with other solid foods before introducing any with peanuts. One thing to remember is to never give a child under 3 years of age whole peanuts because they pose a choking hazard.
For most babies, it is encouraged to introduce peanut butter between 4 and 6 months of age. Doing so greatly decreases the risk of developing a peanut allergy.
Start with a small spoonful of peanut butter thinned with water to make it easier to swallow. Wait 10 minutes after the first taste to rule out an acute allergic reaction. Then, continue feeding the rest of the portion.
Initially, don’t mix it with other first foods like fruits, veggies, cereals, or meats so that you can be sure any reaction is coming from the peanut butter. Be sure to do this at home when you can watch closely for any allergic reactions over the next couple of hours.
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Seasonal Allergy Symptoms In Toddlers And Children
Symptoms of seasonal allergies in children can include any combination of the following:;
- Scratchy throat
- Red, irritated eyes
- Wheezing or trouble breathing
If your child is struggling to take a full breath, develops a rash, swelling, or fever, seek medical help immediately. These could be signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Symptoms of seasonal allergies can affect various organ systems, explains Salma Elfaki, MD, Board Certified Pediatrician at Lake Nona Pediatric Center. Some children can have runny nose, cough, itchy nose. Some patients can also develop itchiness and redness and watery discharge from eyes.;
These are fairly common symptoms of allergies, but some children will have a more acute reaction. More severe allergies can cause wheezing and worsening of asthma, Dr. Elfaki says. Some children can also develop skin reactions such as eczema or break out in hives which can be mild or very severe.
How Can I Treat My Child’s Allergy
If you suspect your child has an allergy, your GP can refer you to an allergy specialist to carry out a skin-prick allergy test to help confirm this.;
The most effective medical allergy treatments for most people are antihistamines, which come in liquid and tablet form. Not all antihistamines are suitable for younger children, so be sure to speak to your pharmacist about which ones are safe to give to a child. ;;
Unlike food allergies, which can be life-threatening, air-related allergies are rarely serious. However, if your baby or young child has difficulty breathing, book an emergency appointment with your GP. If they develop severe breathing difficulties, call 999 for an ambulance. Also be aware that allergies and asthma often come together, and allergies can trigger asthma attacks.
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Benadryl Baby: Should You Give Allergy Drugs To Calm Kids Before Flying
Would you give your child Benadryl to calm her during a flight?
My nightmare began at 10 p.m. on March 15;at John F. Kennedy Airport and lasted;12 long hours.; I boarded a transatlantic flight with my one-month-old baby girl and my 18-month-old son.; My goal was to spend the final month of my maternity leave with my family before going back to work.
My friends assured me that because it was a night flight, my children would sleep right through it. While no one conceded it would be a breeze, none warned me it would be akin to a scene from Dante’s Inferno.
I do not blame my friends.; After all, I had travelled overseas with my son when he was 4 months old and then again two months later with no major issues.; The difference was I only had one child and he was a baby who could be calmed by breastfeeding.; This time, he was a fully mobile and highly opinionated toddler who, as my mother would say, “is very, very hyper.”
Upon boarding the plane, my son proceeded to wreak havoc .; He napped for only 30 minutes, during which time I sobbed while sitting on the edge of his chair.; Half way through the trip, one flight attendant who had retrieved my son far too many times tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Why didn’t you give him something?”
“Give him what?” I asked, genuinely puzzled.
“You know!” she snapped, “Something to make him sleep!”
“But he’s a year and a half,” I retorted.
“So, what?!” was her comeback.
“You recommend Benadryl?” I asked in disbelief.
Is It Safe To Give A Child Benadryl
Benadryl is marketed to relieve symptoms of hay fever or upper respiratory allergies, including itchy or runny nose; sneezing; itchy or watery eyes; and an itchy nose or throat. However, the Food and Drug Administration has not reviewed these claims.
Second-generation antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin are recommended more often than Benadryl because they offer longer-lasting symptom relief and do not have the sedating effects of diphenhydramine.
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Introducing Foods That Could Trigger Allergy
When you start introducing solid foods to your baby from around 6 months old, introduce the foods that can trigger allergic reactions one at a time and in very small amounts so that you can spot any reaction.
If your baby already has an allergy, such as a diagnosed food allergy or eczema, or if you have a family history of food allergies, eczema, asthma or hay fever, you may need to be particularly careful when introducing foods. Talk to your GP or health visitor first.
Foods that can trigger an allergic reaction are:
- cows’ milk
- eggs
- foods that contain gluten, including wheat, barley and rye
- nuts and peanuts
- seeds
- soya
- shellfish
- fish
These foods can be introduced from around 6 months as part of your baby’s diet, just like any other foods.
Once introduced and if tolerated, these foods should become part of your baby’s usual diet to minimise the risk of allergy.
Evidence has shown that delaying the introduction of peanut and hen’s eggs beyond 6 to 12 months may increase the risk of developing an allergy to these foods.
Lots of children outgrow their allergies to milk or eggs, but a peanut allergy is generally lifelong.
If your child has a food allergy, read food labels carefully. Avoid foods if you’re not sure whether they contain the food your child is allergic to.
What Are Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies, sometimes called hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, are symptoms that happen around the same time of year every year, usually in response to environmental allergens. When you have an allergy to spores or pollen released by plants, your body releases things like histamines in response to these allergens. This causes the itching, coughing, and congestion that are associated with seasonal allergies. If you or your child experience these symptoms, you are not alone: Hay fever affects approximately 7.7% of adults in the U.S. and 7.2% of children
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Is Benadryl Safe For Infants
Most people, whether they have children or not, are familiar with Benadryl and its use as an over the counter allergy medicine. However, if you are a parent, you might have questions about when it is appropriate to give your child Benadryl and if Benadryl is safe for infants. As with any over the counter medication, you should consult a medical professional before giving it to your child for the first time, even if its something as common as Benadryl. Lets take a look at what this medication is used for and whether or not Benadryl is safe for infants.
What Is An Allergic Reaction And What Happens During That Phase
When we contract an allergen, the body releases antibodies to fight against these allergens, and those antibodies are called histamines. These histamines cause the blood vessels to swell up, which results in rashes, nasal blockage, sneezing, and itchy eyes making it difficult to breathe. Surprisingly, one kind of histamine attacks only one type of an allergy. For example, you may have an egg allergy, but you may not be allergic to peanuts.
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