Allergies

What are allergies?

Allergies are your body’s reaction to allergens, which are substances that cause unpleasant symptoms that don’t affect most other people. Common allergens include:

• Latex
• Medications
• Certain foods
• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Mold
• Insect stings
• Soaps
• Cosmetics
• Fragrances
• Plants

Allergy evaluation and treatment with Pediatric Care of Chelsea offers your child symptom relief and a better quality of life.

Can allergies cause asthma?

Asthma occurs when the tiny airways (bronchi) inside your lungs swell and become irritated, which makes it very hard to breathe. Asthma causes coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

Around 5 million children have asthma, but about 60% of sufferers have allergic asthma, which develops from allergies. 

They commonly occur together because many allergies, for example, certain foods, mold, pollen, and pet dander, can also trigger asthma attacks. 

What are the symptoms of allergies?

Common signs and symptoms of allergies include:

• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Coughing
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Red eyes
• Swelling
• Hives
• Chest tightness
• Rash
• Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause severe shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, and even death in some cases. 

This is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention to prevent your child from going into shock and fatal consequences. Your child should immediately inject epinephrine and you should call 911.

Is testing right for my child’s allergies?

If your child has a family history of allergies or experience signs of allergic reactions, allergy testing is vital. Your Pediatric Care of Chelsea provider reviews their medical history and symptoms, checks their vital signs, completes a physical exam, and determines which types of tests are best.

What is allergy testing?

Allergy testing at Pediatric Care of Chelsea lets you and your child know which substances cause their allergy symptoms. They may recommend:

Blood tests

Blood tests check for specific antibodies in your child’s blood. They help your provider determine if your child is allergic to certain substances.

Skin injection testing

Skin injection allergy testing uses a needle to inject a tiny amount of allergen extract into the skin on your child’s arm, which allows their provider to check for signs of allergic reactions.

Skin prick tests

During skin prick tests, your child’s provider pricks their skin with as many as 50 different allergens to look for signs of raised red bumps that indicate allergic reactions. 

Patch testing

Patch testing exposes the skin to varying amounts of extracts with patches to look for signs of allergic reactions without using needles.

What are some treatment options for allergies? 

Pediatric Care of Chelsea customizes allergy treatment for your child so they can receive optimal care. They may include the following in their medical plan of care:

• Allergy avoidance guidance 
• Allergy shots
• Oral medicines
• Nasal sprays
• Eye drops
• Emergency epinephrine

Allergy treatment depends on the type of allergies your child has and how severe their symptoms are.

Call Pediatric Care of Chelsea or schedule your child’s allergy care appointment online today.