Pediatric Allergy Care: Solutions from Allergy and Immunology Specialists

Allergies can be a major source of childhood distress. Parents often go through a tough time managing allergies and trying to improve their child’s quality of life. Since allergies tend to manifest in many different ways ranging from mild discomforts to very severe reactions, seeking the advice of a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist is ideal. This can help in accurately diagnosing and identifying the allergens responsible for a child’s allergies, and better understand the allergic reactions. It also makes it possible to personalize the child’s treatment plan. But before we delve into the role and significance of Allergy and Immunology Specialists in pediatric allergy care, let us first understand what allergies are, and how they affect children.

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What are Allergies?

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An Allergy is a condition where the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. It’s like the body’s ‘false alarm’ to usually harmless things such as dust, pollen, mould, etc. While allergies can affect anyone, they are most common in children. In a child, allergies may be caused by triggers such as grass, weed pollen, dust mites, medicines, some foods, bee stings, or pests. Allergic reactions can happen anywhere in the body including the eyes, stomach, nose, throat, sinuses, and skin. These reactions may lead to a number of symptoms in children. Sneezing, stuffy nose, watery or itchy eyes, itchy and dry skin, rashes, coughing, and wheezing are the most common. Sometimes, allergic reactions can also be very severe and life-threatening, causing low blood pressure, fainting, and in some cases, even death.

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How are allergies diagnosed in children?

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The cause of most allergies remains unknown. But diagnosing the type of allergy and identifying allergens or triggers is a crucial step in pediatric allergy care. An Allergy and Immunology specialist would examine the child and suggest a few tests to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. This may include:

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• A skin test, which is used to find out if IgE antibodies to allergens such as pollens or foods, are present. This may be a prick/scratch test, or it may be intradermal, where a small amount of the allergen is injected to check the reaction.?
• A blood test is done to measure the presence of antibodies to allergens in the blood. The most common blood test is the Radioallergosorbent or RAST test. This test is recommended when skin tests cannot be done owing to certain skin conditions in children, or recent severe allergies.??
• A challenge test, on the other hand, is one that involves giving a very small amount of the allergen orally or through inhalation. This is the most effective test to determine the severity of an allergy, and is done under the supervision of a pediatric allergy specialist.

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Role of Allergy and Immunology Specialists in Pediatric Allergy Care

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Allergies require effective management, and especially so in children. Dealing with pediatric allergy can be tormenting. Consulting an allergy and immunology specialist is therefore necessary to improve the child’s quality of life and to minimize risks associated with allergies. Here’s how an Allergy and Immunology specialist can help manage pediatric allergies:

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1. Arriving at an Accurate Diagnosis- Testing for allergies, identifying the triggers and finding specific reactions in the child are important in allergy management. Allergy and Immunology specialists take all these into account and also perform blood/skin prick tests and sometimes even patch tests to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

2. Considering Immunological Factors- The immune system plays a key role in allergic reactions, especially in cases where the allergies are severe and complex. So, immunology specialists investigate the underlying causes or factors that may be contributing to allergies in children. By identifying abnormalities in the immune system or autoimmune deficiencies these specialists can help devise the most suitable treatment plan.

3. Customizing Treatment- Allergy and immunology specialists use the findings from various tests as well as clinical observations to formulate the most suitable treatment plan for a child. They work together with parents to create strategies for use of medications or avoiding allergens, and also determine the need for immunotherapy in cases where the allergies are severe. Immunotherapy is often recommended where conventional treatment methods are not effective.

4. Providing Guidance- Children prone to allergies and their parents have to be informed about the nature and types of allergies, triggers associated with allergies, ways to recognize allergic reactions and avoid allergens, and most importantly about emergency response measures. This can help manage pediatric allergies much more efficiently.

5. Following-Up with Treatment- Allergies can persist for several years. Pediatric allergies especially may require long-term management. Therefore, ongoing treatment and regular follow-ups are necessary as the child grows older. Allergy and immunology specialists take into account the changing nature of allergies in growing children and make sure that treatment remains effective and safe over time.

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Dealing with allergies can be tiresome and frustrating, and even more so when allergies affect children. Hence pediatric allergy care requires specialized attention. Collaborating with allergy and Immunology experts can not only help treat allergies in children better, but also alleviate the stress associated with allergy management.

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For advice on Pediatric Allergy Care, and to find the best Allergy and Immunology specialist near you, get in touch with Doctors Box, today!