Pediatric Allergist in Lawrenceville GA

The answer to this question is complicated. Your child’s pediatrician does have some knowledge of allergies and may be able to provide limited information, but the truth is children who only see a primary care physician and not a specialist for their allergies have been shown to suffer from over prescription of oral steroids or other medications, rather than reaping the benefits of the type of specialized care a pediatric allergist can provide.

Our allergists are board-certified and have decades of combined experience treating adults and children. They understand the broad impact that allergies and asthma can have on your child’s education and development and they know the types of questions to ask your child to effectively determine the best treatment options.

Additionally, your pediatric allergist can be an excellent support for you as a parent. They can provide expert information about reading food labels and appropriate meal preparation if your child is suffering from a food allergy. While primary care pediatricians are certainly a necessary part of your child’s healthcare, seeing an experienced allergist is the best course of action if you suspect they are suffering from allergies or may have asthma.

As is the case with many things that happen during a child’s natural development, it is possible that they may outgrow some or all of their allergies as they age. However, it is not guaranteed that this will ever happen, and you should discuss testing procedures with your child’s allergist should you think they have potentially built up an immunity to a specific allergen over time. Dissipation over a period of time is more likely to occur for allergens that a person will commonly come in contact with such as pet dander and that elicit only a mild reaction. It is very unlikely that your child will ever outgrow severe allergies to food or medications on their own. However, the immunotherapy treatments offered at The Allergy & Asthma Center can help your child slowly build up a tolerance to their allergens, allowing them to eventually be able to live their life free from allergies. We are proud to offer oral immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy, and ultrasound-guided immunotherapy to our patients. These methods can desensitize your child to most allergens they are affected by under the professional guidance and care of a trained physician.

Yes, a child can absolutely develop food allergies over time, which is why ongoing monitoring is crucial. While many infants are diagnosed with allergies like milk and egg very early on, they often outgrow these as their digestive and immune systems mature. Conversely, allergies to foods like peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish are typically lifelong and often remain persistent. Furthermore, a child can suddenly become allergic to a food they have eaten many times before with no reaction, emphasizing the need for parents to remain vigilant and consult with a board-certified allergist any time new or recurring symptoms arise.

The connection between allergies and asthma in children is incredibly strong, as allergies are the most common trigger for asthma symptoms in pediatric patients—a condition known as allergic asthma. When a child with this condition encounters an allergen like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, their immune system releases chemicals like histamine. This reaction not only causes common allergy symptoms like sneezing and itching but also triggers inflammation and narrowing in the airways of the lungs, leading directly to asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. In fact, research indicates that approximately 90% of children with asthma also have allergies, highlighting the crucial need for expert allergy diagnosis to effectively manage their asthma long-term.

The Allergy & Asthma Center can significantly help your child by providing expert, board-certified pediatric allergy care and a comprehensive path to management. Their pediatric allergists specialize in accurately diagnosing the root cause of conditions like asthma, food allergies, eczema, and chronic sinus issues. By utilizing specialized testing, they create a personalized treatment plan—which can include tailored medication management or long-term solutions like immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops)—designed to reduce symptoms, prevent severe reactions, and significantly improve your child’s quality of life so they can enjoy a healthy, active childhood. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Lawrenceville GA, Dacula GA, Moon Place GA, Tucker GA, Suwanee GA, Auburn GA, and surrounding areas.