Do You Have a Charge With Skin Allergies?

Skin Allergies in Children

There are many types of allergies that cause rashes or hives on the skin of children. Some are caused by reactions to medications (like antibiotics), some to foods (like peanuts), some are caused by bacterial infections (impetigo) or viral infections (like chicken pox), some are fungal (like athlete's foot), and others are caused by parasites (like ringworm), but today we list just a few of the most common skin allergy reactions, their causes, and treatments.

Laundry Detergents
Allergies to laundry detergent or fabric softeners are easy to identify and easy to fix. These allergies are more common in individuals with sensitive skin, but anyone can suffer from laundry detergent allergies. Sometimes, hives may develop on the skin, or make the skin very dry, it may even cause eczema, or the allergy may cause sneezing. Several laundry detergents are allergy free. These detergents clean clothes without using the dyes and perfumes that cause laundry detergent allergies. If there is no regular detergent you can find, see a dermatologist. This type of allergy is more severe than just having to avoid a single detergent and may require additional testing or treatment.

Dust Mites\ Allergies
Skin allergies to dust mites may cause a rash in children that is more pronounced while sleeping, as dust mites thrive in bedding, pillows and mattresses, infiltrating a child's skin and resulting in intense discomfort and itching while sleeping or upon waking up.

Insects
Fleas, mites, ticks ,and other insects cause skin irritation in children allergic to pest saliva, resulting in blisters, redness, swollen skin, welts and hives, with anaphylaxis potentially occurring in children with severe insect allergies.

Hives
Topical skin allergies can be caused by sensitivity to temperature changes, physical exertion, anxiety, sun exposure, chalk dust, animal dander, and materials such as wool, metal, and plastics, causing chronic hives that may be itchy and painful because of inflammation, scabbing, and spreading.

Treatment
Skin allergies in children can be treated with over-the-counter topical ointments, creams, and salves containing antihistamines for short-term reduction of symptoms, while allergy testing and follow-up care through prescription oral or topical antihistamines, corticosteroids, inhalers, immunizations and EpiPen injections for emergencies, is recommended for children with genetic predispositions and chronic allergy symptoms. Click here for our favorite products for eczema.