Sneezing, coughing, itching, wheezing. Allergies come in all shapes and sizes.
And children who develop one allergy at a young age are more likely to face more allergies as they grow.
A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics uncovered further evidence of a trend called the “allergic march.”
We’re not talking months of the year.
The allergic march is the path many children follow who develop eczema around 4 months old. These children often go on to develop food allergies, asthma and hay fever between the ages of 13 months and 26 months. Some even go on to develop a rare allergic condition known as E-O-E that enflames the esophagus.
Previously, EOE was thought to overwhelmingly affect white boys but the study shows that 40% of children with EOE are not white. Additionally, a disproportionate number of Black children are impacted by eczema and asthma.
So, when you meet a child who seems to be allergic to anything from grass to shellfish — they likely went on the allergic march, starting with an early allergy and then developing more.
Researchers say early diagnosis and intervention are crucial in preventing the allergic march. And raising awareness about the issue is extremely important because children dealing with allergies are more likely to struggle in school, have anxiety or develop an eating disorder.
The new study paves the way for future large-scale studies of pediatric allergies and associated risk factors.
Ultimately, the more we know about what’s making our kids cough, sneeze and wheeze, the sooner we can learn to treat them effectively so they can begin to thrive.