Is your child dealing with allergies?
Childhood allergies are more common than you might think, and it’s essential to bring them into our Merrillville, IN, office so that our pediatrician Dr. Marc Connery can determine whether or not they could benefit from allergy testing. The sooner we can detect childhood allergies, the sooner your child can get the medication and relief they need to feel better.
Allergy Symptoms in Kids
Wondering if your child might have allergies or just a cold? It isn’t always as easy to tell them apart, but we can help make it easier. It might be allergies if they are dealing with,
- An itchy rash
- Hives
- Watery, red and itchy eyes
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Persistent cough
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath or chest tightness
If your child has a fever, this is likely an infection and not an allergy. A cold or respiratory infection often lasts a few days, with symptoms easing up after a few days, but with allergies, a child’s symptoms can last for weeks or even months.
How Are Allergies Treated?
If you think your child might have allergies but are unsure, it’s worth turning to our Merrillville, IN, team to find out if they could benefit from allergy testing. A skin test is most often used to detect common allergies. We’ll also go through their medical history and ask them questions about the symptoms they are experiencing. Once we know which allergies your child has, then we can help you better manage them through,
- Lifestyle changes such as dietary modifications, avoiding allergy triggers, keeping pets out of bedrooms and using a HEPA air filter
- Medicines to control the symptoms
- Allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy to treat more severe reactions
What Are Some Ways to Help My Child Manage Their Allergies?
While we may prescribe medications or recommend over-the-counter allergy medications to ease symptoms, a big part of keeping your child feeling their best is to avoid the allergens that trigger their symptoms. This means that everyday habits and behaviors can reduce your child’s symptoms. These habits may include,
- Keeping all windows and doors closed, especially on high pollen days
- Make sure that your child removes their clothes immediately when coming in from outside and have them take a shower right away
- Bathe pets at least once a week
- Use hypoallergenic bedding and make sure to wash all bedding twice a week
- Keep the house clean, dust and vacuum regularly (sanitize your child’s toys, too!)
Do you want to schedule allergy testing for your child with our Merrillville, IN, pediatrician Dr. Connery? If so, call Brickyard Pediatrics today at (219) 940-9605 to book their next appointment.