According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, as many as 40% of children today suffer from allergies. The symptoms of nasal allergies look similar to the common cold, but instead of being caused by germs, they’re triggered by grass, mold, or dust. Look to the team at Irvine Doctors of Kids and Teens in Irvine, California to help your child manage allergies and breathe easier. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book online.
Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to a foreign substance that isn't harmful to your body. This triggers numerous symptoms that range from mildly irritating to life-threatening.
Children with allergies may find their symptoms triggered by a variety of substances in their environment. For some kids, foods can also be a serious allergy trigger. Common triggers to look out for include:
A child with allergies may experience nasal symptoms, such as congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing. Allergies can also cause:
In extreme cases, allergies can cause anaphylaxis, which is a severe reaction that comes on suddenly and can be life-threatening.
If your child suffers from allergies, start keeping a journal of when symptoms start, what they are, what your child was doing and where, and how long the symptoms last. This information can be helpful in identifying your child’s specific allergy triggers and helping to manage them.
Your child may also need allergy testing — this can take the form of skin testing, blood tests, or a combination — to identify what the biggest triggers are. Your pediatrician will then help your child develop a plan to avoid those triggers as well as manage the symptoms when an allergy attack strikes.
Mild allergies are treatable with medications that prevent an allergic reaction and relieve symptoms when they occur.
For more persistent or severe allergies, immunotherapy is a common treatment approach. Immunotherapy desensitizes the immune system to triggers by building up the body’s tolerance to specific allergens. This is done by exposing your child to tiny amounts of the allergen and increasing their exposure over an extended period.
Contact the pediatricians at Irvine Doctors of Kids and Teens today to discuss your child’s allergies or book an appointment online today.
