Spotting an allergic child
A good allergy doctor can usually spot an allergic or potentially allergic child or young adult without doing any allergy tests. Dr Adrian Morris explains how.
Appearance
Children with allergies tend to have an unhealthy-looking pale complexion called 'white dermatographism' and are often small for their age.
Allergic shiners
Dennie-Morgan lines
Long face syndrome
Children with asthma and nasal allergies have so-called long face syndrome: a high-arched palate and protruding upper teeth. This develops after years of constant nasal blockage.
Nasal salute
Facial tics
Children with nasal allergies tend to pull funny faces, as their noses are always itching. They may then go on to develop uncontrollable facial tics or twitches and constantly sniff, making strange noises.
Keratosis pilaris
Atopic eczema
Conjunctivitis
With chronic eye allergies, the inner parts of the eyelids develop a swollen, cobblestone-like appearance from allergic conjunctivitis.
Glue ear
Postnasal drip
Children may experience a constant postnasal drip and repeated sore throats from allergic mucous building up and being discharged into the throat. Serious nasal allergies also reduce children's senses of taste and smell.
Dr Adrian Morris last medically reviewed this article in September 2007.
First published in September 1999.
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