Childhood allergies are a common and growing problem in the United States. In recent years, the number of children with allergies to food, pollens, latex and other allergens has grown dramatically. There has also been a surge in the number of children with asthma, and other allergic conditions, such as the skin disorders contact dermatitis and eczema.

The exact reason behind the rise of allergies in children is unknown. But a growing body of evidence suggests that a combination of genetic and environmental factors is at the root of most childhood allergies.

Armed with that knowledge, healthcare professionals can use drug therapy and suggest lifestyle changes to successfully treat most childhood allergies.

There are a number of differences in how allergies affect children versus adults. These include:

• Types of allergies. Some allergies (e.g., food allergies) are more common in children than adults, while others (e.g., seasonal allergies) are less common.
  
  
• Signs and symptoms. Children and infants may experience symptoms of allergies differently than adults.
  
  
• Diagnosis methods. Certain tests used in diagnosing allergy causes may not be appropriate for children.
  
  
• Treatment options. Some medications used to treat allergies in adults are too strong for children. In addition, side effects of medications are often different in children than in adults.

Children with asthma may also need careful allergy management, since many of the same allergens that trigger allergies also provoke asthma symptoms.