Constant sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and nasal congestion due to allergies can make your child’s life challenging. At Neighborhood Pediatrics in Shenandoah, Texas, board-certified pediatricians diagnose and treat allergies to help your child breathe better and feel more comfortable. Schedule an appointment with Neighborhood Pediatrics by phone or online today.
Allergies occur when your child's immune system reacts to specific substances that may not bother other people. These reactions can range from mild to severe or life-threatening in some cases. Common allergens include:
Treatment with Neighborhood Pediatrics can offer your child symptom relief.
Signs and symptoms that may indicate your child has allergies include:
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can cause severe shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, drops in blood pressure, a weak pulse, nausea, vomiting, or even death when left untreated.
Anyone can develop allergies, but some factors may boost the risk of having them. Examples include a family history of allergies, asthma, or other allergic conditions. At the first sign of allergies in children, see the Neighborhood Pediatrics team for an evaluation.
To find out if your child has allergies, the doctor discusses their symptoms and medical history. They complete a physical examination, evaluate your child’s breathing, and may recommend specific diagnostic tests like skin prick testing, patch testing, or blood tests to make a final diagnosis and develop a treatment plan if needed.
Recommended allergy treatments may include:
Avoiding allergens can reduce symptoms linked with exposure. For example, your child might avoid foods causing allergic reactions.
Taking oral medicines or using eye drops, nasal sprays, or other types of allergy medicines can reduce unpleasant symptoms and provide relief for your child.
Allergy shots can expose the body to small amounts of allergens in increasing doses to help your child develop a tolerance to allergens over time.
If your child has severe allergies, their provider offers emergency epinephrine to take in the case of a serious allergic reaction. It’s a shot they give themselves to reduce life-threatening symptoms until they can receive medical treatment.
To learn more about allergies or get your child tested or treated for them, call the Neighborhood Pediatrics office or book an appointment online today.