4 ways to tell if your child has allergies

Allergies can cause uncomfortable reactions in kids, but it can be easy to confuse them with the common cold or other ailments. Here are four ways to tell if your kid might have allergies.

One of the most common symptoms of food allergies is having an itchy mouth and throat after consuming something.

• This will usually happen immediately if the child has an allergy to a certain food, and if the allergy is serious enough, it can cause trouble breathing and require medical attention.

Allergies usually run in families so if you, your spouse or your other kids suffer from allergies, there's a good chance that some or all of your kids will.

• If you or your partner suffers from allergies, it's worth it to take your kids in to get an allergy patch test. It could save them from painful reactions in the future.

Usually when kids are sick with a cold, flu or something more serious, they will come down with a fever.

• Allergies never cause a fever so if kids have a normal temperature but are exhibiting other cold symptoms, allergies might be the culprit.

Rashes or red, itchy skin are often one of the most prominent signs of an allergy; food or otherwise.

• It can be difficult to figure out what is causing the rash because your child was likely exposed to or consumed a number of different things before the outbreak.
• If it occurs frequently, the best idea is to get an allergy patch test from a doctor to determine exactly what is causing the rash.

These are some of the best ways to determine if your child has seasonal allergies or if he or she is allergic to a certain product or food.

If you're ever in doubt, be sure to consult a medical professional to get them the help they need.