Corona disease in children is usually a mild illness with fever, cough, cold and sometimes shortness of breath. In addition, it may appear with a rash, red eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
On the other hand, allergy in children is a non-contagious condition that usually results from an abnormal reaction of the body’s immune system against harmless substances in the environment known as allergens (dust mites, pollen, pet dander, food, etc.).
According to a report by “healthline”, allergies in children usually appear with sneezing, a stuffy nose, coughing, shortness of breath, redness of the eyes, and rashes on the skin, and because there is a significant overlap in symptoms of COVID versus allergies, children with allergies are often tested for the Corona virus, sometimes two or more times. up to three times.
According to the report, the absence of fever and the occasional appearance of symptoms in allergies with the presence of health in between can differentiate between allergies and corona disease, however, when there is confusion in the diagnosis, it is always best to get an opinion from a pediatric allergist.
![How to deal with children's allergies during the Corona pandemic to protect them from complications]()
common allergies in children
Allergies in children usually involve any of the four organ systems either alone or in combination
Respiratory system:
When allergies affect the nose, they cause frequent colds in young children, or early morning sneezing every day, and a stuffy, itchy nose.
This is known as allergic rhinitis and has been incorrectly described as a sinus problem. In some children, allergies also involve the lung tubes (respiratory lines) and make them prone to spasms that manifest as recurrent bouts of coughing/wheezing/asthma.
the eyes:
It can include allergic eyes, redness, tears and itching of the eyes will not occur.
Skin:
It appears either in the form of recurrent episodes of a rash and persistent itching that affects the face and extremities, sometimes with infection behind the knees and elbows, such as eczema or atopic dermatitis.
Digestive:
Frequent episodes of vomiting and diarrhea with poor weight gain can be a complaint of a food allergy.
Most types of allergies are chronic problems and tend to relapse often, and the main cause of relapse is the lack of clarity of the allergens causing the allergens.
To diagnose the allergens responsible for the allergy, children should have an allergy skin test. Skin allergy testing is a simple and safe procedure for patients that is usually performed by an allergist to identify the allergen.
Allergy treatments for children
Pediatric allergy treatment involves a holistic approach and treatment options include:
Drug treatment: With medication, allergy symptoms such as itching, sneezing and a stuffy nose can be temporarily relieved, however, symptoms recur when you stop taking the medications.
Avoidance of allergens: Avoidance of allergens when combined with drug therapy will help children in the long term by preventing recurrence of allergy symptoms. skin Sensitivity.
Allergen immunotherapy or desensitization: The two treatment options mentioned (drug therapy and allergen avoidance) can only control allergy symptoms, but a child’s allergy tendency persists and may increase over time.
The only way we can modify the allergic disease process is with immunotherapy, in which injections of allergens are given either as tablets or injections for a few years, and making the individual’s immune system understand and adapt in such a way that they do not react to the allergens when exposed to them from the environment in the long term .
