Allergies to respiratory factors in infants

Respiratory (respiratory) allergies in infants

Respiratory allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs in response to inhaling airborne allergens. In adults and older children it presents with the classic symptoms of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. In infants, diagnosing respiratory allergy is challenging because its symptoms (cough, runny nose, wheezing) are hard to distinguish from frequent viral infections.

Main respiratory allergens

In children during their first year of life, year‑round household allergens play the most important role, as the child spends most of the time at home.

• House dust mites: These are microscopic arachnids that live in beds, carpets, and soft toys. The allergy is caused by proteins in their feces.
• Pet hair and dander.
• Mold spores: They can proliferate in damp environments.

Seasonal allergy to plant pollen in infants is rare, as its development requires time and repeated exposure to the allergen.

How to suspect respiratory allergy in infants?

The following "red flags" should alert parents and physicians:

• "Endless cold": Persistent nasal congestion or runny nose that lasts for weeks without other signs of an upper respiratory infection.
• Chronic cough or wheezing: Especially if they occur at night or in the morning and are not linked to an obvious infection.
• Clear environmental correlation: Symptoms disappear when you leave the home for a few days and return upon coming back.
• Significant family history: Presence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, or eczema in the parents.

Diagnosis usually involves a thorough analysis of symptoms and, in older children, skin tests or blood tests for specific IgE. For general mechanisms, read the article "Environmental allergies".