Uncontrolled allergies are a nuisance at their best and life-threatening at their worst. If your child is exhibiting symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing and runny nose, coughing, itchy and red eyes, facial swelling, an itchy throat, and hives or rashes, it is important to work with a pediatrician to get a handle of the condition.
Pediatricians, primary care doctors who specialize in the care of children, are well-equipped to diagnose and treat allergies. If you suspect your child may have allergies, talk to their pediatrician to get a diagnosis and a treatment plan in place.
Here is more information about allergies in children from the experienced pediatricians at Patient Care Now.
Why Do Allergies Develop?
Allergies refers to the body’s exaggerated response to a harmless substance that the body mistakenly recognizes as hostile. When exposed to an allergen, the body releases histamines, which depending on the person and allergen in question, can lead to a series of symptoms such as itching, nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, hives, and anaphylactic shock. The reaction is the histamines trying to rid the body of the allergen.
What Are Common Allergens?
Allergens can be normally harmless substances, such as dust, pollen, insect shedding, pet dander, insect stings, mold, smoke, chemicals, and certain fragrances and fabrics, as well as wheat, dairy, and peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish.
Who Is More Likely To Develop Allergies?
Anyone can develop allergies. Some people are born with allergies, while others develop them during childhood or early adulthood. Allergies can also be hereditary, meaning there is a higher risk for a child to have allergies if their blood relatives do. If your child has symptoms similar to those of allergies, it’s best to talk to their pediatrician about getting diagnosed. That way, you and your child will know exactly which allergens to avoid and can come up with a treatment plan to alleviate symptoms when they occur.
What Is Allergy Testing?
Allergy testing involves using diagnostic methods to figure out the underlying cause of allergy symptoms. Allergy testing helps doctors make accurate diagnoses. It also helps with determining what exactly a patient is allergic to. Allergy testing may be a skin prick test, blood test, or food elimination test, depending on the symptoms in question.
Are Allergies Treatable?
Once a diagnosis has been made, the doctor can design a treatment plan for your child. Avoidance of allergens is high on the list of things a patient should do to avoid an allergic reaction. Since pediatric patients may be very young, their parents and caregivers need to be educated on their allergy treatment. Children should also understand what they should do to avoid a reaction and how to respond to it in case it happens. Tools such as medication, inhalers, and epinephrine injections can help ease symptoms of allergies.
Allergy Treatment in Fairless Hills, PA
Patient Care Now offers pediatric urgent care services for children experiencing all sorts of conditions, including allergies. Respiratory symptoms and reactions to insect bites and food should be brought to the attention of a physician immediately. Patient Care Now has emergency medicine physicians on staff and can treat far more medical conditions than the average urgent care clinic.
For any questions, please call (267) 202-6433, otherwise please check-in online before you arrive at 541 S. Oxford Valley Road, Fairless Hills, PA 19030.
