Your Child and Allergies

The doctors at Southwestern Pediatrics in Maricopa, AZ, are here to help your child if they are struggling with allergies.

What are allergies?

An allergic reaction is the body's immune system responding to an allergen it perceives as a threat. The two main things that cause allergic reactions are food and environmental allergens. When your child has an allergic reaction, their immune system is reacting to the allergen to attack it and this causes different symptoms depending on the allergen. Visit Southwestern Pediatrics in Maricopa, AZ, if your child has any of the following symptoms:

Allergic reactions from food have these symptoms:

• Swelling of the face and tongue
• Stomach irritation
• Vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Mouth itchiness

Environmental allergies like pollen and pet dander cause the following symptoms:

• Hives
• Watery eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Runny nose
• Shortness of breath
• Sneezing
• Coughing

Does my child have allergies?

If your child has symptoms of allergies, an allergy test can determine what the immune system is reacting to. Allergy tests are administered by testing tiny patches of skin with different potential allergens. If the skin reacts to the substance, the child is allergic. Knowing what allergens are causing reactions is the first step to managing the symptoms.

How does a pediatrician treat allergies?

The best way to avoid allergic reactions is to avoid the allergen itself. This is sometimes difficult, but there are medications available to help manage symptoms when you can't avoid an allergen. Several medications can help manage reactions to seasonal and animal allergies.

Allergic reactions can range from presenting mild to severe symptoms. In severe cases, a patient may need an emergency injection like an EpiPen. These injections can save lives in cases of a dire allergic reaction.

The professional staff at Southwestern Pediatrics can test your child for allergies and help you manage the symptoms. Contact us in Maricopa, AZ, at 520-568-9500.