While you might associate a runny nose, watery eyes, and congestion with seasonal allergies that only plague adults, the fact is that kids and teens can also deal with allergies. Of course, it’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms so that you know when to turn to our pediatricians Dr. Michael Taymor and Dr. Lama Rimawi for further evaluation.
Signs and Symptoms of Allergies
Sometimes it’s tough to figure out if your child might be suffering from allergies. After all, when symptoms first flare-up you may just think your child has a cold; however, when symptoms don’t go away or get better after a week or two you may start to wonder. This is often an early sign that your child might have allergies.
Other signs and symptoms include:
- Hives and itchy skin rashes
- Watery, red, or itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itching in the ears or roof of the mouth
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath (a sign of asthma)
Types of Allergies
While we can develop allergies to just about anything, there are certain allergies that we see more regularly in children. These allergies include:
- Latex
- Pollen (includes grass, tree, and weed)
- Foods (includes nuts, shellfish, dairy, and gluten)
- Mold
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Bee stings and insect bites
- Medications
Testing for Allergies
If your child is dealing with any of the symptoms above it’s worth turning to our pediatric team for testing. Based on the symptoms your child is experiencing we may perform a standard skin prick test or a blood test. Once we get the results of these allergy tests then we can begin crafting a treatment plan for your child.
Treating Allergies in Children
The goal of allergy treatment is to prevent exposure to the allergen or allergens. This may be easier for some, depending on the type of allergies they have. For example, certain food allergies can be managed by simply not eating those foods while it can be a little more challenging to avoid pollen or pet dander at all times. Lifestyle modifications along with medications are usually the best course of action for combating childhood allergies.
Lifestyle changes may include,
- Staying indoors with the windows closed on high pollen count days
- Immediately taking a shower and washing clothes after being outside
- Vacuuming and cleaning all rugs, carpets, upholstery, and surfaces regularly to reduce dust and germs
- Bathing pets at least once a week
- Designating pet-free zones (especially bedrooms)
- Using an air purifier with HEPA filter in the house to collect germs
- Using hypoallergenic bedding and washing bedding at least once a week
Taking Allergy Medication
While there are allergy medications that you can easily get over-the-counter, if your child’s allergies aren’t responding to these commercial drugs then our pediatricians can prescribe stronger medications. The most common types of allergy medications include:
- Antihistamines
- Decongestants (only prescribed to children over 4 years old)
- Eye drops
- Nasal sprays
- Inhalers (if your child experiences asthma symptoms)
- Sublingual immunotherapy
- Allergy shots