When does your child need a pediatric allergy specialist?
Children are more susceptible to allergies. While some allergy symptoms are benign and can be treated at home, others may signal for a pediatric allergy specialist’s attention. In this article, we will take a look at some of the symptoms to look for before you head to a specialist.
But, before we dive into our topic, let us first understand who pediatric allergy specialists are and what do they do.
Pediatric Allergy Specialist:
Also known as an immunologist, a pediatric allergy specialist is primarily a doctor who tends to allergies or other problems with the immune system of a child. Since your child’s immune system invariably fights infections, allergies are a direct indication of the immune system reacting wrongly. Allergies are harmless if they are caused by:
- Pet dander
- Pollen
- Dust
- Mold spores
- Insect stings
- Food
- Medications
However, the reaction of these causes may cause your child’s body to respond with various health problems such as asthma, hay fever, hives, or eczema (a rash).
What a pediatric allergy specialist or immunologist does is, he/she finds the cause of the allergy and treats them and the immune system problems.
When do you need to take your child to the pediatric allergy specialist?
Hay fever symptoms:
Especially the ones which last for more than a week or two. Some may even occur around the same time each year. Hence, it is crucial to keep a close eye on when your child falls sick and note it duly to inform the doctor. Some of the common symptoms of hay fever are:
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose and eyes
Asthma symptoms:
One of the causes of allergies could also be asthma. While it is imperative that you attend to normal asthma, you must ensure that your child sees a pediatric allergy specialist if the symptoms worsen after prolonged physical activities. Some of the warning signs which you must look out for include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
- Coughing
Eczema symptoms:
This includes that very itchy red rash, too. In fact, in children, eczema starts with an irritating skin rash which compels a lot of scratching and results in thick, scaly patches on the skin. If the rash continues for over 24 hours, it is imperative that you pay a visit to a pediatric allergy specialist.
Some children are also allergic to certain foods. They could witness skin rashes and swelling, wheezing, an upset stomach, paleness, and lightheadedness after the consumption of some foods. While sometimes the irritation may subside, other times, it may linger on. And if the skin irritation goes on for a longer duration, then a pediatric allergy specialist must take a look at it.
Today, many metro cities in India have excellent medical consultation to offer for children. Many hospitals too have various specialists in the pediatric department. If you are living in a metro city such as Hyderabad, you will find excellent allergy specialists there. Most multi-specialty hospitals offer some of the finest and most experienced allergy specialists in Hyderabad.