Allergies & the Immune System

Articles In This Section

• Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities

  Find more than 30 articles in English and Spanish about all aspects of food allergies in children.

• Allergies

  Explore more than 20 articles in English and Spanish about all aspects of allergies in children.

• Five Ways to Prepare for an Allergy Emergency

  Being prepared for an allergy emergency will help you, your child, and other caregivers respond in the event of a serious reaction.

• A Cold or Allergies: Which Is It?

  Is it a cold or allergies? Find out what the experts have to say.

• Going to School With Food Allergies

  With preparation and education, a child with a food allergy can stay safe at school.

• What Is Oral Allergy Syndrome?

  Oral allergy syndrome can cause an itchy mouth and throat. Find out more.

• What’s the Difference Between a Food Allergy and a Food Intolerance?

  Food allergies and food intolerances, like lactose intolerance, are not the same. Find out more.

• If My Child Has Food Allergies, What Should I Look for When Reading Food Labels?

  Food labels can help you spot allergens your child must avoid. Find out more.

• Insect Sting Allergy

  Insect sting allergies can cause serious reactions. Find out how to keep kids safe.

• Fish Allergy

  Fish allergy can cause a serious reaction. Find out how to keep kids safe.

• Shellfish Allergy

  Shellfish allergy can cause serious reactions. Find out common symptoms of allergic reactions and how to respond.

• Milk Allergy

  Milk allergy can cause serious reactions. Find out how to keep kids safe.

• Wheat Allergy

  Wheat allergy can cause serious reactions. Find out how to help kids with an allergy stay safe.

• Soy Allergy

  Soy is found in many foods and it's a common food allegy. Find out how to help kids with an allergy stay safe.

• What Is Skin Testing for Allergies?

  A scratch or skin prick test is a common way doctors find out more about a person's allergies.

• Psoriasis

  Psoriasis causes skin cells to build up on the surface of the skin where they form itchy, red patches and thick scales. Find out what causes psoriasis and how to help your child deal with it.

• Hives (Urticaria)

  Has your child broken out in welts? It could be a case of the hives. Learn how to soothe itchy bumps and help your child feel better.

• Can Kids Get Allergies All Year?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Seasonal Allergies (Hay Fever)

  At various times of the year, pollen and mold spores trigger the cold-like symptoms associated with seasonal allergies. Most kids find relief through reduced exposure to allergens or with medications.

• Poison Ivy

  About 60% to 80% of all people get a reaction to poison ivy. Check out this article for tips on what to do and how to avoid poison ivy.

• Stem Cell Transplants

  Stem cells help rebuild a weakened immune system. Stem cell transplants are effective treatments for a wide range of diseases, including cancer.

• Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP)

  Most kids who develop this inflammation of the blood vessels (marked by a raised red and purple rash) make a full recovery and have no long-term problems.

• Serious Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis)

  Kids with severe allergies can be at risk for a sudden, serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. The good news is it can be prevented and treated.

• Celiac Disease

  Kids who have celiac disease, a disorder that makes their bodies react to gluten, can't eat certain kinds of foods. Find out more - including what foods are safe and where to find them.

• Ozone, Air Quality, and Asthma

  Ground-level ozone and other air pollutants can trigger worsening symptoms and asthma flare-ups. But there are steps you can take to minimize your child's exposure.

• Do Allergies Cause Asthma?

  Although allergies and asthma are separate conditions, they are related. People who have allergies - particularly ones that affect the nose and eyes - are more likely to have asthma.

• Egg Allergy

  Helping your child manage an egg allergy means reading food labels carefully, being aware of what he or she eats, and carrying the right medicines in case of an allergic reaction.

• Nut and Peanut Allergy

  If your child is allergic to nuts or peanuts, it's essential to learn what foods might contain them and how to avoid them.

• Kawasaki Disease

  Kawasaki disease is most common among children of Japanese and Korean descent, but can affect all ethnic groups. The first symptom is a high fever that lasts for at least 5 days.

• Eczema

  Eczema can be an itchy nuisance and cause scratching that makes the problem worse. Fortunately, more than half of the kids who have eczema today will be over it by the time they're teenagers.

• Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

  Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is an immune deficiency that can be successfully treated if it's identified early.

• Environmental Control Measures

  Families of kids with allergies should use environmental control measures that reduce exposure to the child's allergy triggers. Here's how to begin.

• Allergy Shots

  Many kids battle allergies year-round, and some can't control their symptoms with medications. For them, allergy shots (or allergen immunotherapy) can be beneficial.

• All About Allergies

  Up to 50 million Americans, including millions of kids, have an allergy. Find out how allergies are diagnosed and how to keep them under control.

• Food Allergies

  Food allergies can cause serious and even deadly reactions in kids, so it's important to know how to feed a child with food allergies and to prevent reactions.

• Milk Allergy in Infants

  Almost all infants are fussy at times. But some are excessively fussy because they have an allergy to the protein in cow's milk, which is the basis for most commercial baby formulas.