Allergies in Children

Recently Answered

• QWhy should I take my child with allergies to a pediatric allergist?

  3 Answers

  A

  

  A Dr. Reshma Shah, MD , Pediatrics, answered

  The world of allergies can certainly be a confusing one! The first thing to consider is whether you are dealing with environmental allergies (such as to pollen, cat, dog, etc.) versus food allergies (peanuts, shellfish, etc.).

  In the case of environmental allergies that are easily identifiable (such as with the change of seasons or with pet exposure), your pediatrician can easily diagnose the problem and recommend a treatment plan. If symptoms fail to improve or worsen, it is reasonable to see a pediatric allergist to obtain further testing to confirm the allergen and to optimize management. This is critical because significant allergy symptoms that are left untreated can really affect a child's quality of life.

  In the case of food allergies, it's a completely different story! As soon as a food allergy is suspected, you should consult your pediatrician. With a careful history and physical exam your pediatrician should be able to determine if further testing is needed. If your pediatrician suspects a food allergy she should refer you to a pediatric allergist to confirm the diagnosis and identify the allergens. A pediatric allergist is able to perform skin-prick and blood testing in the office. The results of these tests in combination with the child's history should provide a more definitive answer. Additionally, pediatric allergists are specially trained to manage food allergies and are knowledgeable about the latest research and treatment protocols.

  It is critical to identify and treat food allergies immediately, because unlike environmental allergies, food allergies can be life threatening. While it is essential to see a pediatric allergist, you should always remember never to leave your pediatrician's office without proper instructions and a prescription for epinephrine!

  See All 3 Answers
• QWhat triggers my child's allergies?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A UCLA Health answered

  A myriad of particles/substances can act as allergens and trigger children's allergy symptoms. Common indoor allergens include dust mite, cockroach, pet dander and some molds, while outdoor allergens include trees, grass, weed pollen and other molds. Patients who are allergic to indoor allergens tend to be symptomatic year-round, while those who are allergic to pollens develop symptoms almost exclusively during the pollen season.

  See All 2 Answers
• QHow do I know if my child is having an allergic reaction to a medication?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A RealAge answered

  

  A true allergic reaction to a medication usually involves hives, wheezing, or difficulty swallowing or breathing (all can be a true emergency). Your child may have a nonallergic reaction or side effect that may include stomachache, diarrhea, or sun sensitivity. Side effects do not necessarily mean that your child should stop taking the medicine, but call your doctor right away and check if you suspect something is wrong. 

  Most reactions are not serious. Since kids are typically taking only one medication at a time for an acute condition (such as an ear infection), we don’t have to worry quite as much as we do for adults, who might be taking several medications at once, which can complicate things. 

  If your child breaks out in hives, for example, call the doctor, who’ll advise you what to do next, such as stop the medicine or switch to something else. Your doctor will note the reaction in your child’s medical record so that the medication won’t be prescribed again. Add this to your home records, too, and tell the pharmacist so the reaction is in your child’s prescription record. The chance of a reaction is worrisome, I know, but the benefits of a needed medication usually far outweigh the possible side effects.

  From The Smart Parent's Guide: Getting Your Kids Through Checkups, Illnesses, and Accidents by Jennifer Trachtenberg.

  Take the RealAge Test!

  

  Find out more about this book:

  The Smart Parent's Guide: Getting Your Kids Through Checkups, Illnesses, and Accidents
  Buy book
• QWhat are the signs and symptoms of allergies in children?

  4 Answers

  A

  

  A RealAge answered

  

  Allergies are an exaggerated immune response triggered by a variety of substances, from food to pets and chemicals, mold and plants. They cause such symptoms as sinus inflammation, itchy eyes, nasal congestion, skin rashes, scratchy throat, hives and difficulty breathing. Of all chronic conditions affecting children, allergies rank near the top. The good news is that your child may outgrow whatever allergy they have today!

  From Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children by Jennifer Trachtenberg.

  

  Find out more about this book:

  Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children
  Buy book

  See All 4 Answers
• QWhat treatment options are available for pediatric allergies?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A RealAge answered

  Your doctor should instigate an in-depth discussion about what might be triggering the allergic reaction. She should ask about where you were and what you were eating beforehand, depending on the type of reaction. She’ll also ask what’s different in your life right now that didn’t exist before the reaction.

  Then she’ll ask you and your child to be aware of these potential triggers and make a note if your child has a reaction. If you can’t figure it out this way, an in-office radioallergosorbent test (RAST) might help. This a blood test to identify what is causing your allergies. Once you know what’s causing the allergy, the best thing to do is to avoid it.

  When avoiding the trigger is not possible, she’ll suggest over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription antihistamines for seasonal allergies to prevent and tone down the overreaction your body has to the substance. The only drawback to most short-acting OTC antihistamines is that they may cause drowsiness. However, Claritin and Alavert are non-sedating and are now available without a prescription. Longer-acting antihistamines require a prescription.

  Depending on the severity of your child’s allergies, she may need an allergy shot. These are given when the allergen can’t be avoided and the symptoms become unbearable.

  For food allergies, your doctor should write a prescription for an Epi Pen, which is an auto-injector of epinephrine in a lightweight “pen” for allergic emergencies. Keep it in close proximity to your child at all times.

  From Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children by Jennifer Trachtenberg.

• QWhat environments are safe for a child with allergies?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A National Academy of Sports Medicine answered

  This is a big responsibility for families and children, but fortunately there are a lot of resources available, and the awareness of food allergies is far greater than in the past. One good resource is the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) at www.foodallergy.org. They have a special section on their website dedicated to school, childcare and camp environments with strategies for keeping your allergic child safe.
• QHow are seasonal allergies treated in kids?

  3 Answers

  A

  

  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  Seasonal allergies can be treated in a number of ways to relieve symptoms. Saline nasal sprays can help clean out pollen and other allergens in the nose. Medications called antihistamines (like Claritin, Benadryl or Zyrtec) can help relieve itchy/watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing. These can make kids sleepy, though, so see your physician before starting a child on this class of drug. Steroid nose sprays can also be effective in relieving seasonal allergy symptoms but may take days to weeks to take effect. Your doctor may recommend starting treatment a few weeks before the allergy season starts if you know when your child's symptoms started the prior year.

  Other tips: Close windows, use air-conditioning and bathe your child before bed to get pollen off hair and skin. Consider buying a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

  Finally, your doctor may recommend allergy shots. This involves injecting a small amount of the pollen under the skin so your body learns how to accept its presence without waging a battle against it.

  See All 3 Answers
• QHow can honey treat allergy symptoms in children?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  Eating local honey -- the unpasteurized kind -- may help decrease the symptoms of seasonal allergies related to local plants. Like allergy shots, this low-level exposure to local allergens can stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies. Note: Never feed a child under one year of age honey because it may contain botulism spores, which produce toxins that cause a potentially lethal reaction.