Your child has had a mild allergic reaction. Signs of a mild allergic reaction can include hives (red bumps on the skin), itching, a rash, watery eyes, and swelling under the eyes. Medicines usually help kids feel better, even when the cause of an allergic reaction isn't known.

• Give your child any recommended medicines as directed by your healthcare provider.
• If your child has a rash, follow any recommendations the healthcare provider gives you for skin care. These may include using moisturizers, steroid cream, or other creams or ointments.
• Sometimes a future reaction can be more severe. If your healthcare provider prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector (such as EpiPen® or Auvi-Q®) or a nasal spray (neffy®):
  • Go to the pharmacy right away and fill the prescription.
  • Ask your healthcare provider for a written allergy action plan that explains when and how to give epinephrine. Share it with your child's school nurse and anyone else who will be caring for your child.
• If you know what caused the reaction, help your child avoid it. For example, if your child had signs of a reaction after they used a certain soap or after wearing clothes that were washed in a new laundry detergent, stop using that product. If the signs came after being around a dog or cat, your child shouldn't hug or kiss the animal, and it should be kept out of your child's bedroom. Having someone else bathe and brush the dog or cat once a week may help. For some kids with serious symptoms, keeping a pet may not be possible.
• If your child has another mild allergic reaction:
  • Give medicines as instructed by your healthcare provider. These will usually include an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl®), cetirizine (brand name Zyrtec®), or loratadine (brand name Claritin®). It's a good idea to have the recommended medicine in your home so you can give it right away. Remember to keep all medicines safely locked away and out of your child's reach.
  • Pay attention to where your child is, if they are eating or drinking anything, if they are around animals, or if they recently used any skin products. These clues can help figure out the cause of the allergic reaction.

Your child:

• Continues to have symptoms of a mild allergic reaction that don't go away after following the healthcare provider's recommendation for treatment
• Has another mild allergic reaction

Be sure to call your healthcare provider if you or your child have any questions about treating allergic reactions.

Your child has signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as:

• Trouble breathing
• Throat tightness, a swollen tongue, or a hoarse voice
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Swelling of the lips, face, or tongue
• A combination of two mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as hives and watery eyes
• Mild allergic reaction symptoms that are getting worse

If you were prescribed epinephrine for your child, use as directed by your healthcare provider. 

What causes an allergic reaction? Allergic reactions are sensitivities to things called allergens. Common allergens include dust mites, pets, insects, foods, plants, molds, and medicines.

In an allergy, the body mistakes allergens for germs. When someone with an allergy breathes in, swallows, or touches an allergen, the body tries to “defend” itself by releasing chemicals, including histamine. This can lead to rashes, hives, and other allergic symptoms. It can take a few minutes to a few days to see signs of a reaction. Some allergens, like foods, can cause a mild allergic reaction one time, and a severe allergic reaction another time.

What medicines are used to treat a mild allergic reaction? Healthcare providers often use antihistamines, a kind of medicine that blocks histamine (the substance in the body that causes rashes and other signs of an allergy). They will prescribe epinephrine if they think a child could have a severe allergic reaction in the future.