Is Your Child Dealing with Allergies?

Allergies are the immune system's over-reaction to inhalants, pollen, animal dander, drugs, insects, food, air temperature and more. If you suspect your child is dealing with allergies, tell your pediatrician at Prime Pediatrics in Gaithersburg. Dr. Farnough Jamali and Dr. Vahid Khajoee will help you help your child manage symptoms at peak allergy season and throughout the year.

Many children have allergies

In fact, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) reports that more than eight percent of children have allergic rhinitis or hay fever. Many more have allergies to food; in fact, the AAFA says food allergies in children have risen sharply in recent years.

As such, parents and pediatricians must partner in identifying allergies and ways to manage them. At their Gaithersburg practice, Dr. Jamali and Dr. Khajoee encourage parents to track their children's symptoms and to report them during a well or sick office visit. Your pediatrician may refer you to an allergist or order special testing to pinpoint what your child reacts to. With this information in hand, you and your pediatrician can work out a care plan to ease symptoms and keep your child active and happy.

Symptoms of allergies

Everyone is different; however, most children who have seasonal allergies (or indoor allergies) exhibit signs such as:

• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Itchy, puffy watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Post-nasal drip
• Headache along the forehead and cheeks
• GI upset such as nausea and vomiting

Anaphylactic allergic reactions to insect vectors (bee stings), shellfish, peanuts or latex may be life-threatening, producing symptoms such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of consciousness

Managing allergies

Besides medications such as antihistamines, decongestants and allergy shots, your child's doctor may recommend preventive measures such as:

• Closing the windows in your house during the peak pollen season.
• Wearing a pollen-filtering mask when cutting the lawn.
• Washing face and hands and even changing clothes when coming in from outdoors.
• Vacuuming all soft surfaces in the home regularly and keeping a dust cover on the mattress and bed pillow.
• Humidifying the air in your house.
• Applying a cold compress to puffy eyes and aching foreheads and cheeks.

Find out more

Keep your child healthy, happy and in school. Limit his or her allergy symptoms with at-home strategies and a medical care plan from Prime Pediatrics. If you have a question or concern regarding allergies, please call your pediatricians at their Gaithersburg office. Phone (301) 977-2440.