Information
Allergy can significantly impact a child's life. We pride ourselves on our adaptability and commitment to excellence in every aspect of our service. Explore what we have to offer and how we can contribute to the well being of your kid's life.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common allergy symptoms you see in children that parents should be aware of?
Children can develop allergies early on in life. As infants, babies can show signs of food allergy with skin rash, or have gastro intestinal symptoms like reflux, vomiting . Dairy, soy, wheat, egg, and peanuts are the most common food allergies at this age. As they grow, environmental allergies such as dust mites and pets in the home can cause respiratory symptoms and skin rashes. Young children acquire frequent respiratory infections from daycare or preschool. However, when a child's nose runs all the time, consider allergies. Eventually as the child spends more time outdoors, they may become sensitized to pollens. Playing in the backyard, at the park, or on the soccer field will produce runny nose and red itchy eyes. Children who have sleep overs at friends houses that have pets will come home with the same symptoms
In your experience, what are some practical ways parents can create an allergy-friendly environment at home and school for their child?
If pets are in the home, keep the pets out of the bedrooms. Use special mattress encasements on the bedding to minimize dust mite exposure. Keep windows closed during the pollen seasons.
What are common triggers for childhood skin rashes
Children have very sensitive skin. Their skin can be reactive to allergens like foods, pets, plants and viruses. Atopic dermatitis can develop from foods or other allergens like pets or dust mites. Hives in children are commonly caused respiratory viruses. Some rashes can change day to day which may make it difficult to diagnose. Take photos of your child's skin rash with your phone and bring them to your child's appointment at Allergy Associates to help sort out the cause.
What's the biggest misconception parents have about their child's allergies, and how do you address it?
Allergies are genetically based. A child will inherit allergy from parents, or sometimes allergies develop even though parents do have allergies, as for example in food allergies.
What's the best treatment for Pediatric asthma?
In children and adults, allergies set the stage for asthma. Therefore, treating the allergies is the first step for treatment. Utilizing the correct allergy medications and having the child avoid what they are allergic to is the first steps. If asthma inhalers are required, proper administration by the parent or child is very important. The medical staff will train and evaluate the use of all asthma inhalers. In older children, a Pulmonary Function test can be performed at Allergy Associates office which will measure the child's degree of asthma. This will allow the doctor to prescribe the write amount of medication.
What innovative allergy treatments do you offer for children that set Allergy Associates PA apart?
No parent wants to see their child take medication. If the child's allergy testing shows allergies, allergy medications are necessary to improve the child's quality of life. It is up to the parent to utilize anyone of the the safe children's allergy medications like Zyrtec, Claritin, or Allegra. Other over the counter allergy medication may cause too much drowsiness, side effects and should be avoided. Allergy immunotherapy works very well for children. Starting allergy shots early in life has been shown to lessen the impact of allergies as the child moves on into adulthood. Allergies out of control will not allow the child to sleep well, they will not perform well in school, their social interaction maybe affected. As a parent, utilizing the correct approach for their child's allergy will insure better health and development of the child.