Allergy in a Child: How a Rash and Other Signs Manifest

Allergy in a child is the immune system's reaction to a substance that does not bother most people: pollen, animal fur, dust mites, food, an insect bite, or a medication. On the skin, allergy manifests as a rash, itching, or redness of the skin. We explain what an allergic rash looks like and when a doctor is needed.

What allergy in a child is and why it occurs

The immune system normally fights microbes. In allergy, it responds to a false alarm. Substances that trigger such a reaction are called allergens. The most common are: pollen of trees and grasses, house dust mites, mold, fur and dander of domestic animals, food (peanuts, milk, eggs), bee and wasp stings, and some medications. Both genes and the environment play a role in the development of allergy. A person with allergy is often sensitive not to one substance but to several at once. Symptoms may appear within minutes or several hours after contact.

What an allergic rash looks like in children

In children, allergy on the skin manifests as raised rash (hives), itchy or reddened skin. On brown and dark skin, redness is harder to notice.

Other signs of an allergic reaction in a child

The skin is not the only target. The reaction may cause a runny nose and sneezing, red or watery eyes, pain and tenderness around the cheeks, eyes, or forehead, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea and vomiting, swelling of the eyes, lips, mouth, or throat. Allergy may manifest as asthma. Symptoms can be mild, and they can be very serious, up to anaphylaxis, which requires immediate hospital care.

What is considered in an allergic rash

In an allergic rash, attention is paid to the connection with contact and to what accompanies it.

• Connection with contact: the lesions appear within minutes or hours after eating, a walk during pollen season, contact with an animal, or an insect bite.
• Character: the rash is raised above the skin and itchy, and on dark skin the redness is less noticeable.
• Accompanying signs: together with the rash there is often a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, loose stools, or vomiting.
• Sensitivity to several substances: people with allergy often react to several allergens at once.
• Alarming background: swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing together with a rash is a reason to call an ambulance.

When to see a doctor for allergy in a child

A routine reason is that you suspect your child has an allergy. The doctor may refer the child for testing or to a specialized allergy clinic. Such tests include: a skin prick test (a small amount of allergen is applied to the skin and the reaction is observed), blood tests, and also a special diet in which increasing amounts of the product are gradually given under supervision to see whether a reaction occurs.

A rash by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance. 103 or 112 — if the child suddenly has swelling of the lips, mouth, throat, or tongue; is breathing very fast or with difficulty, wheezing, or a feeling of suffocation appears; the throat tightens and swallowing is difficult; the skin, tongue, or lips turn blue, gray, or pale; the child suddenly becomes confused, drowsy, or dizzy; loses consciousness and does not wake up; becomes lethargic, limp, and does not respond as usual. These may be signs of anaphylaxis.

If the child has already had a severe reaction, the doctor may provide an allergy management plan — it sets out what to do in various situations. This material is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation: discuss your situation with a specialist.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer