Pediatric Skin Allergies Specialist Q&A

Allergies in children do not just cause them to wheeze, sneeze, and cough. They can also showcase symptoms on the child’s skin. An allergy can show in many different forms.

Your child may have an allergy breakout in the form of a rash, this can be due to touching something they may be sensitive to, it is called an allergic contact medically known as dermatitis. Symptoms of an allergic rash or dermatitis include:

– Severe itching
– Redness on the skin
– A rash
– Thick, leathery, and scaly patches on the skin that may develop over time

Things that may set off these reactions include:

– Poison ivy, sumac, and oak
– Certain ingredients in toothpaste and mouthwash
– Cosmetics
– Dyes and chemicals in shoes
– Nickel, which is a metal that appears in some snaps, buttons, and earrings
– Medication that is used on the skin including neomycin which is an antibiotic, anesthetics that help numb the skin for treatments, and antihistamines

An early indication of allergies in children is necessary so we are able to identify what they are allergic to. As finding out what the child is allergic to will improve the child’s quality of life much more. Children’s allergies are much more common than people think, particularly in families with a history of allergies.

The common symptoms that occur in children if they have allergies include:

– Hives
– Skin rash
– Issues breathing
– Coughing
– Sneezing
– Runny nose
– Itchy eyes
– Upset stomach

Common allergy triggers that will often set off allergic reactions in children include:

Outdoors
– Insect stings
– Insect bites
– Plant pollen
– Tree pollen

Indoors
– Dust mites
– Mold
– Animal hair

Irritants
– Perfume
– Car exhaust
– Cigarette smoke

Foods
– Eggs
– Milk
– Peanut
– Tree nuts
– Wheat
– Soy
– Fish
– Shellfish

If you suspect your child is having an allergic reaction or has an allergy, contact Allergy and Asthma Center today to book an appointment with one of our specialists to run tests to ensure your child has or does not have an allergy.

Rashes are one of the most common allergic reactions for children, they can be quite itchy and painful, and they often develop due to allergies, viral infections, fungal infections, or even serious medical conditions.

First things first, you will want to try and rule out any causes of what may be contributing to the rash on your child(ren), pinpointing a clear cause will allow you to provide more information to the doctor when you take your child in for an appointment.

Once you figure out what may be causing the rashes, clean the skin with mild soap gently to clean the child’s skin and help whatever may be causing the rash get off the skin. Pat the skin dry gently, do not scrub, and leave the rash uncovered.

You can treat minor rashes with Benadryl, Claritin, or Zytrec depending on the child’s age. You will also want to cut your child’s fingernails or have them wear gloves to go to bed so they will not be able to scratch the rash or make it any worse.

If your child’s rash is followed by any of these various symptoms, contact Allergy & Asthma Center immediately to book an appointment:

– Rash that isn’t getting better after a few days
– Rash that doesn’t get better with over-the-counter treatment
– Fever accompanied by a rash
– Butterfly-shaped rash that shows up on the nose and cheeks
– Under six months of age
– Bruises that are not from an injury
– Rash that is looking like an oval in shape, or a bull’s eye
– Rash that is becoming worse in skin creases
– Widespread rash that accompanies enlarged, tender lymph nodes
– Non-blanching rash
– Swelling occurring in the mouth or on the face
– Hives
– Not eating well
– Changes in their breathing pattern or issues breathing
– Rash that is swollen, red, wet, crusty, oozy, or blistering
– Rash that begins to peel and is localized on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands
– Rash that shows skin sloughing, and involves the inside of the mouth, eyes, or vaginal area

If you visit an allergist or a primary care doctor, they may prescribe your child a topical steroid cream for their skin. If so, ask when and how to safely use it on your child. Your allergist or doctor will decide if the child needs an antihistamine to help ease any itching or not.

For more information, contact us. 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.