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Many symptoms of an allergic reaction are short-lived, but there are long-term consequences of repeated reactions. The inflammatory effects of allergic reactions can change the structure of the systems it affects (such as skin, airway, or gastrointestinal tract). For example, structural changes of the airways can lead to asthma or chronic ear and sinus infections. Changes in the gastrointestinal tract can cause mal absorption, and changes to the skin can lead to eczema.1
Many children who exhibit skin allergies through eczema also develop food allergies, and vice versa.
Having an allergy increases the risk of certain other medical problems, including: 2
- Anaphylaxis. If your child has severe allergies, he is at increased risk of this serious allergy-induced reaction. Foods, medications and insect stings are the most common triggers of anaphylaxis.
- Asthma. If your child has an allergy, he is more likely to have asthma — an immune system reaction that affects the airways and breathing. In many cases, asthma is triggered by exposure to an allergen in the environment (allergy-induced asthma).
- Sinusitis and infections of the ears or lungs. The risk of getting these conditions is higher if the child has hay fever or asthma.
Dr. Irina Nehma
Pediatrician
