Uncommon Allergy Symptoms In Children
Childhood allergies can cause nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy ears, runny nose, and sore throats. They can also cause rashes, itchy skin, and tingling inside your child's mouth. Talk with a board-certified allergist about these. They may easily recognize these symptoms to be associated with allergic reactions. However, there are other, more uncommon symptoms of pediatric allergies that can be associated with many other illnesses. Here are some uncommon allergy symptoms your child may experience that you should know about.
Behavioral Problems
Unmanaged allergies can cause breathing difficulties, snoring, headaches, and earaches, which may prevent your child from sleeping soundly. As a result, your child may become hyperactive, moody, disinterested in activities that he or she once enjoyed and may even fall asleep in class.
All types of allergies can cause behavioral problems, including seasonal allergies, food allergies, and environmental allergies such as those associated with dust mites, pet dander, indoor mold, and chemicals. If your child exhibits daytime sleepiness or you notice mood and behavior changes, make an appointment with an allergist. Once allergies are identified and treated, your child's sleep quality will improve and negative behaviors will resolve.
Muscle And Joint Pain
Another uncommon allergy symptom in children is muscle and joint pain. Allergies can trigger your child's body to release chemicals known as cytokines, which are also known as pro-inflammatory chemicals. As they circulate throughout your child's system, systemic inflammation can cause muscle and joint pain, stiffness, and even problems with their range of motion. While muscle and joint pain are often associated with infections, arthritic conditions, overuse, and autoimmune disorders, your child should be tested for allergies.
While you're waiting for your appointment with the allergist, give your child an over-the-counter antihistamine, if approved by the pediatrician. These medications help inhibit the release of cytokines so that systemic inflammation is suppressed.
If muscle and joint pain significantly improve after taking the antihistamine, then your child may have undiagnosed allergies. Choose a non-drowsy antihistamine because traditional antihistamines can cause sleepiness and weakness, which may impair your child's ability to concentrate on schoolwork or other daytime activities. In certain children, antihistamines can cause hyperactivity, excitability, and insomnia instead of drowsiness.
If your child displays any of the above signs and symptoms, make an appointment with the pediatrician. If he or she believes they are the result of an allergic reaction, your child will be referred to a board-certified allergist for further evaluation and treatment.
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