Allergies

What are childhood allergies?

Allergies are caused by an overreaction in your child’s immune system to a substance or food. Common allergy symptoms include:

• Skin rashes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• An upset stomach
• Difficulty breathing
• Stuffy nose

Allergies can cause hay fever and lead to ear infections. By diagnosing and treating allergies early, you can improve your child’s quality of life, ensuring they’re healthy enough to play and go to school.

What causes allergies?

A wide range of substances can provoke your child’s allergies. Below are common childhood allergies.

Food allergy

Food allergies affect up to 6 million children. While some food allergies can be mild, certain food allergies, such as to peanuts, may cause a life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis.

Insect sting allergy

Getting stung by a wasp, hornet, bee, yellow jacket, or fire ant can cause allergic reactions, including swelling and pain. Though rare, stings produce life-threatening allergic reactions in 0.4%-0.8% of kids.

Skin allergy

Various substances can trigger skin allergies, such as contact with a plant like poison ivy, or foods and medications. A common sign of a skin allergy is a bumpy, red rash.

Dust allergy

Dust mites, which are microscopic organisms that survive on household dust, are the biggest cause of dust allergies. The symptoms of a dust allergy include sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose.  

Pet allergy

Pet allergies cause an array of uncomfortable symptoms, ranging from sneezing to skin rashes. Your child may experience allergy symptoms at places where a pet has visited, even if the animal isn’t there at the present time.

How are allergies diagnosed?

Dr. Atanassova-Lineva examines your child and takes a detailed medical history. Since allergies run in families, she’ll ask if anyone in your family has allergies or related conditions like asthma and eczema.

Depending on your child’s condition, she may recommend blood or skin tests to identify the precise allergen or allergens causing your child’s reaction. This helps her to create the most effective treatment plan for your child.

How are allergies treated?

Dr. Atanassova-Lineva discusses with you a range of short-term and long-term treatment options, including:

• Decongestants
• Antihistamines
• Corticosteroids
• Allergy shots
• Allergy tablets

If you’re ready for the right allergy care for your child, call Peds 4 Kids today or book a consultation online.