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Allergic reaction

What is an allergy?

An allergy is when the body has a reaction to a trigger. Allergic reactions usually happen within a few minutes of contact but can happen a few hours later.

Most allergic reactions are mild, but more severe reactions can occur. Sometimes mild reactions can develop quickly into a more severe reaction.

Sometimes children can have a rash that looks like an allergic reaction but it is caused by a viral infection. If you are worried please look at the rash page.

Common triggers for allergy are:

  • Foods such as nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs and some fruits

  • Medicines

  • Bee stings

  • Wasp stings

  • Latex (a type of rubber found in some rubber gloves)

The most severe reaction is called anaphylaxis (ana-fill-axis) and can be life threatening. The signs of this are in the red box below.  Ring 999 immediately for help if your child is having a severe reaction. Use your adrenaline pen immediately (epipen/jext) and lie your child down.

When should you worry?

If your child has any of the following:

  • Feeling of tightness in the chest or throat

  • Swelling of the mouth, face, tongue or lips 

  • Breathing fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink 

  • Harsh noise as they breathe in (stridor)

  • Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)

  • Persistent coughing

  • Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch

  • Feels dizzy, faints or collapses

  • Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused

  • Has a fit (seizure)

  • Has a rash that does not go away with pressure (the ‘Glass Test’)

You need urgent help.

Phone 999 and say that your child is having anaphylaxis (ana-fill-axis)

If you have an adrenaline pen (Jext/Epipen) please use it as advised 

Follow your allergy action plan if you have one

If your child has any of the following:

  • Itchy skin or a raised rash (hives)

  • Tingling of mouth

  • Dry skin, lips or tongue

  • Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours

  • Poor feeding in babies (less than half of their usual amount)

  • Irritable (Unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or hugs even after their fever has come down)

  • They are having allergic reactions frequently or you are not sure what they are allergic to

  • Getting worse and I am still worried

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.

Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111

Please give your child antihistamine medicine if possible

If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features

If none of the above features are present:

  • Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms

  • Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of well babies – click here.

  • If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.

Self care

Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111

This content has been developed by healthcare professionals from across the UK in collaboration with the RCPCH.

What can I do?

If you are worried that your child is having a severe allergic reaction, you need to call 999 for an ambulance immediately and state anaphylaxis (ana-fill-axis).

  • If your child has an adrenaline autoinjector (Epi-pen) use it immediately

  • Here are videos for how to use an Epipen or a Jext autoinjector

  • Remove the trigger which caused the reaction if you can

  • Sit them up if they are having difficulty breathing

  • Do not stand them up or move them

  • You can give a second dose of adrenaline (Epi-pen) after 5 minutes

If you have had to use your child’s autoinjector (Epi-pen) then they should always go to hospital for further observation.

If your child is having a mild to moderate allergic reaction, give them an antihistamine medicine such as Chlorphenamine, Cetirizine or Loratidine to help with the symptoms.

If your child has had an allergic reaction you should avoid the trigger whenever possible.

Further information

  • Allergy UK has information on anaphylaxis 
  • Beat Anaphylaxis has information for children, young people, families and professionals
  • Itchy Sneezy Wheezy has a series of videos on food allergy, anaphylaxis and how to use an epipen

For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between.

Self-care

You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.

Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.

Sound advice

Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.

Sound advice

  1. Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
  2. Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
  3. Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.

Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.

Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.

Sound advice

Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:

  • Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
  • Exercise, hygiene and safety
  • Your child’s growth and development
  • Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
  • Safety in the home
  • Stopping smoking
  • Contraception and sexual health
  • Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
  • Toilet training
  • Minor illnesses

For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?

School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.

Contacting the School Nurse

Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.

There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.

Sound Advice

Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.

They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-

  • encouraging healthier lifestyles
  • offering immunisations
  • giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
  • supporting children with complex health needs

Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.

GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.

Sound advice

You have a choice of service:

  1. Doctors/GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E.
  2. Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.

Sound advice

Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.

Sound advice

  1. Many visits to A&E and calls to 999 could be resolved by any other NHS services.
  2. If your child's condition is not critical, choose another service to get them the best possible treatment.
  3. Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about going to A&E or riding in an ambulance