Allergies

A whopping 40% of children in the United States are affected by allergies, which run the gamut from hay fever to severe food allergies. Galaxy Pediatrics in Red Oak and Plano, Texas, offers allergy testing and treatments, minimizing the impact that allergies can have on your child’s life. For concerns on pediatric allergies, call Galaxy Pediatrics or request an appointment online today.

What is an allergy?

Under normal circumstances, your child’s immune system protects them from all manner of foreign invaders, from toxins to bacteria. An allergy, however, is a misfire in their immune system where their body mistakenly identifies a benign substance (allergen) as harmful and goes into full attack mode.

This response, which is an allergic reaction, can range from a mild rash to life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

Why some people develop allergies, and others don’t, remains somewhat of a medical mystery, but researchers believe that genetics and environment are key contributors to the problem.

What are the most common allergies in children?

While, in theory, someone can be allergic to almost anything, the most common allergies among younger patients include:

• Food allergies
• Hay fever
• Pet allergies
• Mold and dust
• Insect sting allergies

Food allergies are among the most common, and 90% of them are triggered by:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Peanuts and other nuts
• Fish and shellfish
• Soy
• Wheat

Hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, also accounts for a fair share of allergies among children.

What are the symptoms of allergies?

There are many different ways your child’s body can respond to an allergen, but you should be on the lookout for:

• Respiratory issues, sneezing, runny nose
• Skin rashes
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Hives

In extreme cases, your child may go into anaphylactic shock, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate care. The signs of anaphylaxis vary, but the distress is obvious as your child may not be able to breathe, may vomit violently, or lose consciousness, among other symptoms.

How are allergies treated?

The first step in treating allergies is to positively identify them. To do this, the team at Galaxy Pediatrics relies on blood tests as well as a full review of your child’s symptoms and the circumstances surrounding their development. It’s important that you diligently record when your child displays symptoms so the team can narrow the field of possibilities more quickly.

Once the team determines what’s causing your child’s allergies, they recommend a treatment plan for your child’s unique situation, which may include:

• Long-term medications
• On-the-spot treatments
• Trigger avoidance
• Immunotherapy

Allergies can’t be cured, but there’s much that the Galaxy Pediatrics team can do to keep them under control, allowing your child to enjoy their carefree years.

For expert diagnosis and management of childhood allergies, call Galaxy Pediatrics or request an appointment online today.