Pediatric allergies are a common health problem. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, approximately 7% of all children (5.2 million) were diagnosed with hay fever in 2018 alone.
Types of Pediatric Allergies
In addition to seasonal allergies, children can experience allergies to other airborne allergens like dust mites, mold and pet dander. Additionally, they can be allergic to different foods, medicines, insect stings and certain chemicals.
Common Allergy Symptoms
Your child’s symptoms will depend on what kind of allergy they have and how severe it is. Common symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Hives
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Scratchy throat
- Nausea and stomach pain
In more severe cases, allergies can cause difficulty breathing, asthma attacks, low blood pressure, fainting, swelling of the lips and throat, and in some cases, a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
Does My Child Have Allergies or a Cold?
It may be difficult to determine whether or not your child has a cold or allergies, as many of the symptoms can overlap. While an evaluation by your doctor is the only sure way to know what is causing their symptoms, there are several factors that may help give you an idea as to which it is:
- If your child’s symptoms last longer than 10 days, it’s more likely to be allergies.
- If their symptoms seem to appear around the same time every year, that also points to allergies.
- Alternatively, if they are experiencing symptoms like fever and body aches, then they are more likely to have a cold or another virus.
Allergies Can Affect Your Child’s Quality of Life
If your child is constantly dealing with unpleasant allergy symptoms, it can affect them in a variety of negative ways. This may include:
- Poor sleep quality
- Lack of concentration, which can lead to poor performance in school
- Behavioral issues
- Frequent fatigue that can make it difficult to participate in school sports or play basketball with friends at Hazel Parker Playground
Testing and Treatment for Pediatric Allergies
If you feel your child is suffering from allergies, schedule an appointment with a provider that can perform allergy testing. Testing will help to pinpoint your child’s specific trigger or triggers and inform their treatment options. Potential treatments include:
- Avoiding or minimizing exposure to triggers
- Taking over-the-counter or prescription strength antihistamines
- Immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or drops
If you would like more information or wish to schedule an appointment with one of our expert allergists, call Charleston ENT & Allergy today.