Allergies

The immune system protects the body from germs. If the immune system has a big reaction to something that isn’t a germ, that’s an allergy. If you believe your child is having an allergic reaction, and this has never happened before, you should make an appointment with your child’s provider. Allergic reactions might be local - or right where the skin was touched. They can also be systemic - happening in the whole body.

Local

A local reaction might be a rash on the skin after using a new detergent. Local reactions are usually treated with creams or ointments.

Systemic

A systemic reaction involves more of the body. If a person has a rash after eating a food, like eggs or dairy, this is a systemic reaction. Systemic reactions like this might be treated with over-the-counter medicines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and creams or ointments. Vomiting and diarrhea after eating a certain food is another systemic reaction.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is the name of an allergic reaction that involves more than one part of the body. A rash and vomiting means that both the skin and the gut are involved. Trouble breathing and a rash means the lungs and the skin are involved. When two or more parts of the body are involved, a patient may need epinephrine - a medicine that can only be given by shot. There will always be two epinephrine pens with a prescription and they should always stay together. Epinephrine is a powerful medicine, but it might wear off before the body is done fighting the allergy. If you give a dose of epinephrine to a child (or any person), you should call 911 and be ready with the second dose, just in case.