Pediatric Allergist Questions and Answers

A pediatric allergist specializes in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and managing allergies, allergy-related conditions, and immune system problems affecting children from birth to late adolescence. As such, some of the services that a pediatric allergist can provide include the following:

– Allergy testing
– Comprehensive list of the child’s allergens for parental reference
– Eczema treatment, as well as treatment for other rashes and allergic skin reactions
– Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or sinusitis treatment
– Immunotherapy, also referred to as allergy shots
– Inhaler treatments for asthma, as well as guidance on using inhalers properly
– Instructing on allergen or trigger avoidance
– Personalized treatment plans for children and parents
– Treatment for allergic reactions

Since there is a broad range of allergy symptoms for different allergens, it can be challenging to know when or if your child should see an allergist. With that in mind, the following are some noteworthy signs that your child would likely benefit from seeing an allergist:

– Abdominal pain, throat tightness, or vomiting shortly after eating
– Constant sniffles
– Dark circles around your child’s eyes often referred to as allergic shiners
– Difficulty with in-school learning and attention
– Frequent ear infections
– Itchy nose and throat
– Recurrent hives or skin rashes
– Stubborn cough
– Wheezing or shortness of breath

At a pediatric allergy appointment, your child’s pediatric allergist will ask for a history of your child’s allergy symptoms, medications they take, exposure to various allergens, and a family history of any allergies.

Depending on any medication your child is taking, testing may or may not be conducted at your child’s first pediatric allergy appointment, as some medications, such as antihistamines, can interfere with the results. With that being said, your child’s pediatric allergist will examine your child’s eyes and nose and will listen to their lungs and breathing for any signs of allergies.

If your child’s pediatric allergist determines that allergic testing would be beneficial, there can be several different tests, depending on the specific symptoms. Pediatric allergy testing is age-appropriate so that the child will not feel frightened or uncomfortable but rather safe and engaged. As such, the test may be incorporated into a game or other technique to lessen the clinical feel of allergy testing. Moreover, pediatric allergists are trained to provide such testing in ways that help children feel safe and understood.

To have your child tested for allergies, find out if there are any allergist-immunologists in your area. Some ways to do this include asking your primary care doctor, friends, family, or colleagues for any recommendations on allergist-immunologists they are aware of in your area. A simple Google search may also suffice! If you are in the area of Atlanta, Conyers, or Lawrence, GA, we welcome you to come to The Allergy & Asthma Center to have your child tested for allergies in a warm, safe, and friendly environment.

Moreover, if you are concerned about your child’s allergies, the following information may be helpful or relevant to you.

Environmental exposures have long been thought to play a key role in the development of asthma in children. A recent study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology looked particularly at risk factors for asthma in inner-city children and found surprising results. The study found that maternal smoking, as well as maternal stress and depression, were stronger risk factors for a child developing asthma than allergens such as cat dander, cockroach, and mouse allergen.

The study collected dust samples in the home and measured cotinine levels, a biomarker for tobacco smoke, and followed children from birth through early childhood. The study found that exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and early childhood was associated with a higher risk of asthma.

Maternal stress and depression in the first three years of the child’s life also increased the risk of developing asthma at seven years old. On the other hand, exposure to cat, cockroach, and mouse allergen in the first few months of life was actually associated with a lower risk of wheezing at age 3.

This study suggests that interventions to improve maternal smoking cessation and provide support for inner-city mothers to reduce stress and depression may help prevent asthma. Feel free to contact one of our pediatrics allergists at The Allergy & Asthma Center for more information on this subject.

Find a pediatric allergist near you to help not only treat but help prevent asthma. For an appointment with us at The Allergy & Asthma Center in Atlanta, Conyers, or Lawrenceville, GA, please feel free to contact us or make an appointment right here on our website. We serve patients from Lawrenceville GA, Atlanta GA, Conyers GA, Suwanee GA, Duluth GA, Grayson GA, Decatur GA, Brookhaven GA, Lithonia GA and Covington GA.

Environmental exposures have long been thought to play a key role in the development of asthma in children. A recent study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology looked particularly at risks factors for asthma in inner city children and found surprising results. The study found that maternal smoking as well as maternal stress and depression were stronger risk factors for a child developing asthma than allergens such as cat dander, cockroach, and mouse allergen.

The study collected dust samples in the home and measured levels of cotinine, a biomarker for tobacco smoke, and followed children from birth through early childhood. The study found that exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and early childhood were associated with a higher risk of asthma.

Maternal stress and depression in the first three years of the child’s life also increased the risk of developing asthma at seven years old. On the other hand, exposure to cat, cockroach, and mouse allergen in the first few months of life were actually associated with a lower risk of wheezing at age 3.

This study suggests that interventions to improve maternal smoking cessation and provide support for inner-city mothers to reduce stress and depression may help prevent asthma.

Find a pediatric allergist near you to help not only treat but help prevent asthma.