Allergies occur when your body launches an immune response to a substance that is generally not harmful to humans. Millions of American children have at least some type of allergy, and it’s believed that many more are struggling with allergies but have not yet been diagnosed.

The human immune system is an astounding thing. When your body detects a potential threat or allergen, it swiftly creates antibodies to fight off infection. Those antibodies trigger the release of histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream.

That series of actions causes numerous allergic reactions. Once those antibodies are in place, your child can have an allergic reaction any time they are exposed to the same allergen.

Some of the more common allergens include:

Dust mites Pollen Molds Pet dander Soy Peanuts and tree nuts Cigarettes Household cleaners Insect stings Latex Certain medications This is far from a comprehensive list. There are hundreds of substances that can trigger an allergic reaction.

Allergy symptoms can vary from one child to the next, and can even vary in intensity in the same child. Parents should know what to look for, and be prepared to seek help if symptoms become severe or begin to interfere with the child’s normal daily activities.

Some of the signs of an allergic reaction include:

Itchy nose, eyes, or throat Coughing Sneezing Stuffy or runny nose Rashes or hives Stomachache Vomiting Wheezing Diarrhea Feeling faint or briefly losing consciousness If your child is struggling to breathe and beginning to panic, seek emergency medical attention right away.

Allergy testing is a tool used to determine which allergens your child is sensitive to. It’s also the first step in finding the best possible treatment path. One common allergy testing tool is a simple skin test. This process involves creating a very small scratch on the surface of the skin, then applying a drop of an allergen extract onto that area.