Children generally are vulnerable to many of the same allergies that afflict adults. However, a child’s likelihood of reacting to certain allergens differs from adults. Allergies that affect children include:

• Food allergies. Children experience these at a much higher ratio than adults, with those under age 3 showing the highest incidence of allergic reactions. Up to 8 percent of children have a food allergy as compared to roughly 2 percent of adults, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). High-protein foods are particularly likely to trigger symptoms. Foods often associated with food allergies include:
  
  
• Milk
• Eggs
• Wheat
• Peanuts
• Soy beans
• Shellfish
• Tree nuts (such as walnuts)
• Corn
• Sesame seeds
  
  
• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Young children experience these allergies at a lesser rate than teens and adults. Dander, dust mites and molds are among the first allergens to affect children. As children grow, they are likely to be exposed to an ever-growing list of pollens and other allergens that may eventually trigger allergies. A child’s allergic rhinitis symptoms mimic the typical adult reaction, and include sneezing, wheezing and watery eyes.

  

• Eczema. This is a type of skin rash that most often occurs in infants and young children. Eczema tends to run in families and appears to be related to food allergies, although it is caused by both genetics and environmental factors, and a specific allergen is not necessarily involved. Eczema is triggered by many different factors, including allergies, temperature, humidity and stress. However, a given trigger may not affect a given patient. A significant number of patients with eczema, for example, do not have any food allergies.
  
  About 90 percent of cases occur in children under the age of 5, according to the AAAAI. The affected area has a red, scaly, itchy rash. Eczema can indicate that a child is more prone to developing other allergies later in life.
  
  
• Animal allergies. Pets are the prime source of animal allergies for children. Cats and (to a lesser degree) dogs trigger reactions due to the protein allergens secreted by oil glands in their skin and shed Dander. Proteins in animal urine and saliva (particularly if an animal frequently licks itself) also trigger allergies.
  
  
• Insect stings. Children may also be allergic to the saliva or venom in some insects' bites and stings. In some cases, the symptoms produced by a sting are life–threatening (anaphylactic shock). Honeybees are the only insects that leave a stinger in their victims (which must then be carefully removed).
  
  
• Contact dermatitis. Allergic reactions on the skin caused by any natural or manmade material. Latex is one such material to which some children (and adults) are allergic. Some infants are allergic to the dye found in some diapers.