What is Pediatric Allergy?

Pediatric allergies are common and can cause various symptoms, including sneezing, itching, and difficulty breathing. These are very common among children and their families. The symptoms of pediatric allergies are often triggered by exposure to allergens, substances the body's immune system mistakenly identifies as harmful.

Allergies occur when the body's immune system mistakes a normally harmless substance, such as pollen or food, for a dangerous invader and mounts an immune response. Allergens can include pollen, mould, dust, and certain foods. Children can be allergic to various allergens, ranging from mild to severe.

What are the types of Pediatric Allergies?

Several types of allergies can affect children, including:

Seasonal allergies: These are allergies triggered by certain types of pollen and other allergens that are more common in certain seasons. Common symptoms of seasonal allergies include sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose.
Food allergies: Children can be allergic to certain foods, such as peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, and dairy products. Food allergies can cause symptoms such as hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, a food allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Environmental allergies: Children can also be allergic to things in their environment, such as mould, dust, and pet dander. Environmental allergies can also cause sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose.
Medication allergies: Your child can often be allergic to certain medications, such as antibiotics or over-the-counter pain relievers. Medication allergy symptoms can include hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing.

What tests can be conducted for Pediatric Allergies?

Diagnosing allergies in children typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and allergy testing. A medical history may include questions about your child's symptoms when they occur, and what triggers them. A physical exam may have a check of your child's airways and a skin or blood test to look for allergens.

Allergy testing can be done through skin tests or blood tests. Skin tests involve applying a small amount of the suspected allergen to the skin and observing for a reaction, such as redness or swelling. Blood tests, also called radioallergosorbent tests (RAST), measure the level of allergy-specific antibodies in the blood.

Treatment for Pediatric Allergies

Treatment for pediatric allergies can vary depending on your allergy's severity and the symptoms experienced. Medicine prescribed by a doctor can be used to manage symptoms. These may include antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids. In severe cases, an epinephrine injector (also known as an EpiPen) may be necessary to treat anaphylaxis.

Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a long-term treatment option that can help to reduce sensitivity to allergens. Your child will be given regular injections of increasing allergen to desensitize the immune system and reduce the severity of allergic reactions. If your child is also facing any type of paediatric allergy, you can consult doctors at Apollo Cradle, Koramangala, for the best treatment.

Risk Factors of Pediatric Allergies

The prevalence of allergies in children has increased in recent decades. Allergies can develop at any age, but they are most common in children under five.

Several factors may increase a child's risk of developing allergies. These include a family history of allergies, exposure to tobacco smoke in the womb or during early childhood, and being born during certain seasons. Children with eczema or asthma may also be more likely to develop allergies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pediatric allergies are a common condition that can cause various symptoms in children. Several types of allergies can affect children, including seasonal, food, environmental, and medication. Allergies can be diagnosed through skin prick tests or blood tests, and treatment can involve avoiding the allergen, taking medications, and carrying an EpiPen in severe cases.

Request an appointment at Apollo Cradle, Bengaluru - Koramangala. Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment.

1. What are pediatric allergies?

Pediatric allergies are an immune system reaction to a substance typically harmless to most people. These substances, called allergens, can include foods, medications, environmental factors such as pollen or mould, and insects.

2. How common are pediatric allergies?

Paediatric allergies are relatively common in children. Since there are many paediatric allergies, it becomes difficult for parents to identify what their child is allergic to.

3. How are pediatric allergies diagnosed?

If a child is suspected of having allergies, the doctor may recommend a skin test or blood test to determine what the child is allergic to.

4. How are pediatric allergies treated?

The treatment of pediatric allergies will depend on the severity of the allergy and the specific symptoms the child is experiencing. In severe cases, allergy shots (immunotherapy) may be recommended to help the child build immunity to the allergen.

5. Can pediatric allergies be prevented?

There is no sure way to prevent allergies, but some things may lower a child's risk of developing allergies. These include:
1. Breastfeeding for at least the first 4-6 months of life
2. Avoiding tobacco smoke
3. Avoiding over-sterilizing the home environment
4. Introducing solid foods gradually and exposing the child to a variety of foods
5. Ensuring the child gets enough vitamin D from sunlight or supplements.