Allergies are sensitive reactions that occur when the body's immune system reacts in any unusual way to foods, airborne dust, animal hair and pollens. This results in conditions such as hay fever, eczema, hives and bowel problems. The condition is also called atopy.
Allergies are common in babies and children.
They usually disappear as the child grows older, but sometimes can continue into adult life. Allergies are not infectious. How to tell if a baby has an allergy An allergic reaction might take hours or even days to develop and can affect almost any part of the body. Common causes of allergic reaction are foods and airborne irritants. Soaps and detergents might aggravate some skin conditions.