Hundreds of things you come into contact with every day may trigger allergies -- tree pollen, dust, mold, insect droppings and even the contents of your refrigerator. Allergies can develop at any stage of life, but food allergies are more common in infants and children than they are in adults, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Seasonal allergies for babies can be difficult to diagnose, as they have not been alive long enough to develop a history of triggers; however, many babies are allergic. Typical triggers for seasonal allergies include pollen from many types of plants and freshly cut grass clippings during spring and summer. Symptoms include watery eyes, skin irritations and sneezing.

Food allergies seem like a common occurrence, but they actually only affect 6 percent of children in the United States, according to BabyCenter. Many times, your child has a food intolerance that she will grow out of that is not a full-blown food allergy. Still, it's important to monitor your baby closely to look for the signs of food allergies. Delaying certain foods until your baby is a certain age may also help prevent allergies, both now and later in life.

For some children, even minimal exposure to dogs can trigger sneezing as well as other more serious respiratory problems. According to Healthy Children, it's estimated that10 percent of kids are allergic to animals, but when it's your child begging for a puppy, it's hard to say no. Pet Education reports there are no hypoallergenic dogs, but poodles, terriers and schnauzers have less dander and therefore a better record of allowing kids with allergies to enjoy them. Many of these dogs are particularly suited to homes with children.

Weaning is an exciting milestone for parents, but so many things in an infant’s new world can trigger a reaction. Unfortunately, worried moms and dads instantly label outbreaks as “allergic” reactions, and the problem is oftentimes incorrectly diagnosed.

It's extra difficult to cook and prepare food for children with food allergies, because their dietary limitations often rule out traditional favorites and make it tough to create meals that an entire family can eat. Whether your child has sensitivities to gluten, nuts, dairy, fish or other foods, though, it's always possible to find and prepare healthful recipes.

If you introduce infant formula to your baby, you'll probably want to be on the alert for signs of an allergy, especially if allergies run in your--or the baby's father's--family. Most infant formula includes cow's milk or soy products in the ingredients. In cases of infant formula allergies, cow's milk protein is the most common allergen. Still, allergies to formula are not all that common; according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, less than 3% of babies in the United States have an allergy to milk protein. Since half of the babies who are sensitive to cow's milk protein also turn out to react badly to soy, soy-based formula is not necessarily the solution if your baby does turn out to have a dairy allergy. Check with your baby's physician before switching to a hypoallegenic formula. It may reassure you to know that there's good chance your baby will outgrow an allergy to infant formula within a few years.