Pediatric Allergies
Allergies are commonplace among adults and children and can cause uncomfortable and annoying symptoms. If you child develops a rash, hives, or has a stomachache after being exposed to certain allergens, he or she may be suffering from allergies.
There is an array of allergy triggers present for children. These can include outdoor, indoor, irritants, and food allergies. The most common include:
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is very common among children. Symptoms can include an itchy or runny nose, sneezing, watery or itchy eyes, nasal congestion, coughing, swollen lips or tongue, or headaches. Allergic rhinitis can be caused by seasonal allergies or can be caused by irritants such as dust mites, pet hair, or mold.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are also common among children, with around 6 million children in the U.S. having some form of food allergy. Peanuts and milk are the two most common food allergens, though eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, and tree nuts are often allergic triggers. If a child has a food allergy, parents should be aware of the danger of anaphylaxis, a dangerous reaction that can impair breathing and can send the body into shock. If your child has a serious food allergy, speak to their doctor about a prescribed epinephrine injector.
Allergy Treatment
A child may also be experiencing an allergic reaction to other triggers, including insect bites, dust mites, mold, cigarette smoke, or perfume. To correctly diagnose the cause of your child’s allergies, allergy testing will need to be done. Untreated symptoms may lead to more serious health issues.
While completely avoiding an allergen would be ideal, it is not always realistic. Medications can be prescribed to treat allergy symptoms. In the case of severe allergies, allergy shots or drops can be used to alter the immune system to become familiar with the allergen. The type of treatment recommended will be dependent on the cause and severity of the allergy.
If your child is suffering from allergy symptoms, do not hesitate to contact our office today. Our Tuscaloosa ENT physicians will quickly and effectively work to diagnose and treat any allergy symptoms that are present.