Treatment for Allergies in Leitchfield, KY
What causes allergies?
Allergies happen when your child is exposed to an allergic substance, which increases your child’s immune response and causes an adverse reaction. Allergies can be seasonal, occurring just in the spring and summer, or they can be a problem all year long.
Common Substances Which Cause an Allergic Reaction
Common substances, known as allergens, which children are allergic to include:
- Grasses and trees
- Plant and flower pollens
- Pet hair and dander
- Dust mites and mold
- Peanuts, shellfish, and dairy
The Signs and Symptoms of Allergies in Children
Allergy symptoms in Infants and small children may be more difficult to detect. You should watch out for:
- Your child taking longer to feed
- Fatigue and irritability
- A diffuse, red, itchy rash
- Wiping the eyes or tugging the ears
- Coughing and difficulty breathing
In older children, you may notice signs and symptoms like these:
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Itchy, runny nose
- Sneezing, coughing, or wheezing
- Rashes which can itch or burn
- Breathing problems
- Sore throat or nausea
Diagnosis of Allergies
Before allergies can be treated, your child will need allergy testing, which can come in several forms. The most common allergy testing is skin tests, during which a small amount of the substance is placed just under the skin and observed for a reaction. Another type of test is a challenge test for food allergies, during which your child will ingest or inhale a small amount of substance and be observed for a reaction. The third form of allergy testing is blood tests, during which a blood sample is taken and tested against various allergens.
Treatment of Allergies
Common treatments for allergies which your pediatrician may recommend include:
- Prescription-strength antihistamine medications
- Prescription-strength decongestant medications
- Nasal sprays containing steroids
- Sublingual immunotherapy
- Rescue inhalers and epi-pens
- Allergy shots
The Connection Between Allergies and Asthma
Allergies often precipitate an asthma attack, so your pediatrician may also recommend lung function testing to determine if your child has asthma, and to what degree. Your pediatrician may recommend asthma management, which can include:
- Short-term rescue inhalers
- Long-term asthma management medications
Want To Know More?
To find out more about the signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of children’s allergies, call the pediatricians at Leitchfield Pediatric Clinic in Leitchfield, KY. You can reach them in the office by calling (270) 259-5641, so call today.