The Great Masquerader: Allergy in Children

Abstract

Allergies account for one-third of chronic conditions before age 17, and over half of adult allergies begin in childhood. The most common allergic states are asthma, eczema, rhinitis and urticaria; these may occur in the same patient or mimic other diseases. Physicians should try to diagnose allergies early, to find and eradicate offending allergens, and to cure allergies in childhood.