Allergies and Children

Diaper rash, stomachache, rashes, ear infections – they are common problems in childhood. As a parent, you want to relieve the suffering caused by these conditions as quickly as possible. Though many children show signs of these diseases once or twice, they seem to outgrow them. Others, however, suffer again and again with the same or progressively worse symptoms. If your child repeatedly is developing disease symptoms such as stomachache, headache, skin rash, congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose and wheezing, allergy may be a contributing factor.

Babies generally are free of the kinds of symptoms we associate with allergy. However, research has shown that allergies start early in life and can be detected before allergy symptoms appear. What’s more, these studies indicate that children actually grow into their allergies and allergic sensitivities change as exposure in the environment changes. Allergic diseases can be inherited. A family history of allergies and/or asthma is a strong indicator that a child may have or be developing allergies. Children can develop allergies at any age, the most common is ages 6-12 years. By this time the child has had multiple exposures in his/her environment (seasonal allergies, animals, and molds) to become sensitized to allergens. It makes good sense to find out as early as possible if your child is allergic and just what he/she is allergic to. Make an appointment to speak to one of our allergists. They will determine the best medical approach and an appropriate time-table for allergy testing.

Laboratory testing for allergies can provide valuable information to help determine if your child is allergic and how best to manage the condition. When you know for sure, you can work with our physicians to determine a course of treatment that will help your child feel better as quickly as possible. Without testing, allergy and allergic diseases can worsen, and this can have a profound effect on your child’s physical and emotional quality of life.