Hi, I'm Dr. Altman. Infants and toddlers often can't tell you that their tummy hurts so it can take some detective work to figure out when you really need to call the pediatrician. Here are some signs a doctor should check out your child's stomach pain, call your pediatrician or schedule an appointment right away if any of the following is true. 

Your child looks sick, her stomach pain is severe especially in the lower right side, her pain is worsening, her pain is constant for more than two hours, she has a swollen or distended or tender belly, she has no interest in eating her favorite food she has persistent vomiting or diarrhea, or you see bloody dark or grey jelly looking poop. 

Also if your toddler can't jump up and down without stomach pain, or can't walk or walks hunched over, these can all be signs of a serious medical issue. If any of them are familiar, give your pediatrician a call right away. I'm Dr. Altman. For more ways to protect your child's health, watch all our smart tips right here. 

  

When Is It Time to Call the Pediatrician?

6 Ways to Beat Spring Allergies

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A lot of people get seasonal allergies and when they do they need something that can help them to just kind of snap back because allergies make us feel so bad. Probably the number one natural remedy for seasonal allergies is the plant nettle. Nettle can be drunk as a tea, you can also get nettle supplements, but I actually think that nettle tea is the best way to go. It does help to relieve allergies sometimes very, very quickly. Echinacea, the plant that most people know for use with colds also helps to boost the immune system, and in doing so can help to reduce the severity of seasonal allergies. Additionally there's an Amazonian herb called cat's claw. Cat's claw is probably the single most beneficial immune enhancer that we know of in any category, in any class. Sometimes taking cat's claw alone is sufficient enough to avoid any allergies during allergy season. 

You have in nature things that will protect you when pollen, and other allergens are in the air and you might as well get through the season safely and with great comfort.

What Are Some Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies?

Endless sneezing and stuffed-up noses drive most allergy sufferers to see their doctors. But many people put up with itchy, watery eyes and dark under eye circles not realizing those may be caused by allergies, too. If that sounds like you, odds are you&#39;re one of the millions of Americans with eye allergies. The annoying symptoms are actually more common than those of nasal allergies, but they often go undiagnosed and untreated.&nbsp;

What causes eye allergies?&nbsp; 
Itchy, watery&nbsp;eyes are caused by the same process that triggers other allergic reactions. The immune system overreacts to something harmless, like pollen. When the allergen gets in your eyes, cells there release a chemical called histamine, which causes blood vessels to swell and the eyes to become&nbsp;red,&nbsp;itchy&nbsp;and watery. Eye allergies don&#39;t usually affect your vision, but they can be a major nuisance.&nbsp;

The most common&nbsp;outdoor allergies&nbsp;are reactions to pollen from grasses, trees and weeds. Common indoor allergies include pet hair or dander (skin cells), dust mites and mold.&nbsp;

What can I do at home to reduce eye allergies?&nbsp; 
To help&nbsp;remedy&nbsp;itchy, watery eyes, follow these simple do&#39;s and don&#39;ts.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Do keep windows closed. This keeps outdoor allergens from coating your home. For many&nbsp;severe allergy sufferers,&nbsp;the extra cost of running the air-conditioning is worth it.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Do wear sunglasses. Besides protecting your peepers from harmful UV damage, sunglasses help keep pollen from getting in your eyes.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Do keep your home free of dust, especially the bedroom. Use a dust mite cover for your mattress and pillows and frequently wash your sheets in hot water. For floors and counters, use a clean damp cloth and mop instead of dry dusting. For carpeting, use a vacuum with an allergen filter, like a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Do clean bathrooms, kitchens and basements regularly. Cleaning with detergent and a 5&nbsp;percent&nbsp;bleach solution can help reduce mold. Use a dehumidifier to suck some of the moisture out of damp rooms and basements, and make sure to clean the device regularly.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Don&#39;t spend time outside when pollen counts are high. Pollen levels are usually highest in mid-morning and early evening and when it&#39;s windy. If you&#39;re planning a weekend hike or picnic, you might want to check the weather forecast first.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Don&#39;t use window fans. They can draw pollen and mold into your house. Consider upgrading to a standing room fan with a HEPA filter.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Don&#39;t rub your eyes. Rubbing your eyes only irritates them more. Try a cold compress to help soothe your eyes instead.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Don&#39;t spend a lot of time around dogs or cats. As much as you might love your furry friends, their dander and hair can quickly put your allergies into overdrive. If you simply can&#39;t be parted from your pet, consider keeping it off your bed so you&#39;re not sleeping in all those allergens every night. After Rocky jumps down from your lap, immediately wash your hands and pitch your clothes into the hamper. Consider replacing wall-to-wall carpets with hardwood floors, tile or linoleum, which are easier to keep dander-free.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

When should I get help for&nbsp;itchy, watery&nbsp;eye allergies?&nbsp; 
Because itchy, watery&nbsp;eyes are usually caused by allergens floating around in the air, you can&#39;t always avoid them. When your watery eyes are getting the best of you, try an over-the-counter remedy. Artificial tears can temporarily wash allergens from the eye. These drops may contain decongestants or antihistamines, which can also relieve redness and itching.&nbsp;

If these drug-store options don&#39;t work, it might be time to&nbsp;see an allergist. This type of doctor specializes in asthma, allergy and immunology. The doc will ask about your symptoms&ndash;what makes them better, what makes them worse&ndash;and may recommend allergy testing to pinpoint the specific causes. You may be prescribed medicated eye drops, which can include NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories), steroids or antihistamines.&nbsp;

When severe allergies are making everyday life difficult, your doctor might recommend allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy. This treatment is when tiny amounts of an allergen are injected in gradually increasing doses. The shots can take several months, but the treatment can stop your body from overreacting to allergens,&nbsp;letting you see and enjoy life more freely.&nbsp;

Do's and Don'ts to Calm Itchy, Watery Eyes

Watch out&nbsp;for these unexpected causes of allergy flare-ups.

5 Surprising Allergy Triggers

So in my practice, I use two different tests, one is a blood test to test for gluten sensitivity and this is very different than celiac test. This is a blood test checking for IgG and IgA reaction to [xx], so that's one way to tell. The other way to tell her is to do a simple act on test, called elimination diet, you simple eliminate gluten for two week, if you can do it up to 30 days that would be even better for at least two weeks, you eliminate gluten in 100% at a time and then you add it back in, and you see did you feel better off of gluten or do you fill worse when you add gluten back in those are the clues that you have a gluten sensitivity. 

  

How Is Gluten Sensitivity Diagnosed?

You&#39;ve noticed, lately, every time you go to your uncle&#39;s house, you have problems breathing. Your chest becomes tighter, and you begin coughing or wheezing. Last time, you had a full-on asthma attack. You&#39;re convinced you have an allergy, but aren&#39;t sure exactly what&#39;s triggering your issues. You know, though, you&#39;re finally ready to get help.

It&#39;s estimated at least 50 million Americans have allergies, or <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/allergy/slideshow/whats-causing-cold-weather-allergies">immune reactions to substances like pollen, dust, pets and food</a>. They can start at any age and may change over time, and physical <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/allergy/article/what-need-know-deadly-allergic-reactions">reactions</a> vary from person to person. For you, cats may trigger allergic asthma attacks; someone else may get hives.

If your symptoms are severe or frequent, interfere with daily activities or make other problems like asthma hard to control, an allergist can devise a treatment plan to help you function from day to day. These special doctors are frequently covered by <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/health-insurance/article/make-sense-health-insurance-coverage">health insurance</a>, and often, they will be referred by your primary care physician.

What to expect from the first appointment 
For your first visit with an allergist, bring any applicable medical documentation. Let your doctor know if you&#39;re taking prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs, and how much they&#39;ve helped. Notes about symptoms and triggers can also be helpful.

During your appointment, your allergist will first take your personal medical history, a crucial part of diagnosis. They may ask some general health questions, and will focus on the details of your allergy attacks. You should discuss:

<ul>
	<li>Your symptoms, their duration and how severe they were</li>
	<li>Any triggers you may have observed</li>
	<li>Reactions that involved emergency care</li>
	<li>Your family&#39;s history of allergies</li>
	<li>Known allergies or past treatment for allergies</li>
</ul>

Then, the doctor will conduct a physical exam, checking areas of your body where allergies often manifest. These include your ears, nose, throat, eyes, lungs/chest and skin. If you&#39;ve had breathing problems, you may receive a pulmonary function test or lung x-ray, as well.

Once your allergist is finished, they&#39;ll determine whether or not you should be tested for allergies. This can happen at the first appointment, or in subsequent appointments.

Kinds of allergy tests 
Your diagnosis will depend on two things: A) your personal medical history, and B) your allergy test. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/allergy/article/know-before-you-go-allergy-tests">Allergy tests</a> can help tell what you&#39;re allergic to, though perhaps not how badly allergic you are.

The two most common types of allergy tests are skin tests and blood tests. Skin tests are generally used first, as they&#39;re considered to be more sensitive and accurate. There are two kinds of skin tests.

<ul>
	<li>During a skin prick test, your doctor will prick a tiny amount of potential allergen (pet dander, mold, etc.) into the surface of your skin, usually on your arm or your back. If you&#39;re allergic, your skin may turn red and swell, or a hive-like bump may form.</li>
	<li>An intradermal test is much like a skin prick test, except allergens are injected deeper under the skin. It may be used when results from the skin prick test are uncertain.</li>
</ul>

If a skin test isn&#39;t feasible&mdash;say, you&#39;re taking certain medication or you have a skin condition&mdash;you may receive a blood test. Your doctor will take a blood sample and send it to a lab for analysis.

Based on your history and the results of your allergy test, your allergist will prescribe a course of treatment. It will likely begin with strategies to avoid allergens, like cleaning your home of pet dander or mold, and may also involve medication. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) isn&#39;t usually prescribed during the first visit, though it may eventually be, depending on your allergy.

Questions to ask and what to leave with 
Before ending your first visit with an allergist, make sure you have answers to the following:

<ul>
	<li>What am I allergic to?</li>
	<li>What can I do myself to prevent allergic reactions?</li>
	<li>Do I need medication? How much, and what are its side effects?</li>
	<li>When should I see you again, how often should I visit and what is your availability?</li>
	<li>What should I do during an emergency allergic reaction?</li>
	<li>What can I expect from my allergy moving forward?</li>
</ul>

Your doctor may give you reading material or suggest websites for more information about your allergy. Make sure you read them, and reach out with questions&mdash;perhaps at your follow-up appointment.

Know Before You Go: The Allergist

Beat pollen, ragweed, mold and other allergens with these proven tips.