Monthly Archives: July 2022

How Allergies Affect Children

Parents do not want to see their kids suffer. Any child can develop allergies, which is going to improve the life of your child and lessen the school days they missed. It also helps to keep you from having to use sick days or vacation days to take care of your child.

One of the most common allergies that children experience is on the skin. Another common allergy in children is food. Respiratory allergies are most common in older children.

Cases of skin and food allergies among children have increased over a long period, and skin allergies are prevalent in younger children compared to older ones.

You can look for an allergy doctor for your child so you can concentrate on other things more.

Nasal Congestion

Allergies are one of the most common causes of nasal congestion that happens chronically. There are times when the nose of a child is congested when he or she breathes through the mouth, even more so while sleeping. This might also cause a child to not get some rest at night and then feel tired the next day. In case the congestion and mouth-breathing are always untreated. They can affect teeth and bone growth. The early allergy treatment that causes nasal congestion might prevent these problems.

Heat Rash

Heat rash is most often seen in young children and babies when their sweat gland pores get blocked, not allowing perspiration to escape. The rash will look like small pink patches or red bumps, or blisters under spots or clothing where the skin has the tendency to fold on your elbows, neck, thighs, or armpits. However, heat rash can also happen in covered areas.

Eczema

Eczema is one of the most common skin allergy conditions, especially when it comes to children. It affects 1 out of 5 infants, but only about 50 adults. This is because of leakiness in the skin barrier, which dries it out and becomes prone to inflammation and irritation by a lot of environmental factors. Also, there are young children with eczema who are also sensitive to food which make eczema symptoms worse. Half of the patients who have severe atopic dermatitis are caused by a faulty gene called filaggrin. The itch caused by eczema is not only because of histamine so anti-histamines might not be able to manage the symptoms. Most of the time, eczema is normally linked with allergic rhinitis, asthma, or food allergy. This progression is known as the atopic march.

Hives

Hives show as red bumps or welts soon after they come in contact with an allergen and severe allergic reaction. Unlike skin allergies, hives are not dry or scaly and it can appear anywhere on the body.

Some symptoms include difficulty in breathing or a swollen face and mouth. You should look for medical attention right away if these symptoms occur with hives.

Ear Infection

Allergies cause inflammation in the ear and it can cause fluid accumulation that promotes ear infections and decreased hearing. A baby who is hard of hearing for any reason while you are learning to talk will cause poor speech. Allergies cause earaches and itching, fullness, and popping. Anyone who has these symptoms should see an allergy specialist for possible treatment and testing.

Stings and Insect Bites

Insects like wasps, bees, fire ants, mosquitos, and ticks cause itching minor and minor discomfort because they prick the skin. In some children, insect bites and stings cause severe allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis which includes rashes and life-threatening symptoms known as airway swelling.

You can find allergy doctor Manassas VA if your child is experiencing any of these symptoms.

 

 

Facts About Seasonal Allergies

Allergic rhinitis that happens only in certain seasons is also called hay fever. There are about 8% that experience it. Hay fever happens when you have an immune system that overreacts to an allergen outdoors, like pollen. An allergen triggers an allergic response. Wind-pollinated allergens are the most common, like grasses, trees, and weeds. The pollens that come from insect-pollinated plans remain airborne for a long time, and they hardly trigger an allergic reaction.

It is called hay fever because the name is derived from the hay-cutting season. Based on history, this activity happened during the summer months, which is about the same time as a lot of people have symptoms.

You might need an allergy specialist to determine if you have hay fever. Read on to learn more.

Treatment of Seasonal Allergies

There are a lot of ways that seasonal allergies can be treated, which depends on how bothersome those symptoms are. A crucial part of treatment is knowing what a person is allergic to. Some kids are relieved by eliminating or reducing allergen exposure that bothers them.

If specific seasons cause symptoms, you should keep your windows closed and use air conditioning instead of fresh air if possible, and remember to stay indoors when there are high pollen counts. It is also a great idea for kids who have seasonal allergies to wash the dirt off of their hands or shower and wear a new set of clothes after they play outside.

Spring

Trees are to be blamed for the majority of allergies in springtime. The most common offender is Birch, which is found in the northern latitudes, where a lot of people with hay fever react to pollen. Other allergenic trees found in North America are aider, cedar, horse chestnut, poplar, and willow.

Fall

Ragweed season is in Autumn. Most of the ragweed grows in North and South America Temperate Regions. They have invasive plants that are hard to control. Their pollen is a common allergen, and ragweed allergy symptoms can be severe.

Other plants which drop their pollen during fall include mugworts, nettles, fat hens, sorrels, and plantains.

Summer

The hay-cutting season is normally in the summer months. But what really causes summertime allergies are the grasses like ryegrass and timothy grass, and even certain weeds. The most common trigger of hay fever in people are grasses.

Winter

During winter, the majority of allergens remain dormant, Therefore, cold weather gives relief to a lot of people who have hay fever. However, this also means that more people are spending time outdoors. If you are prone to getting seasonal allergies, you might react to indoor allergens like pet dander, mold, cockroaches, or dust mites.

Most of the time indoor allergens are easier to get rid of from the environment compared to outdoor pollens. Here are some tips for getting rid of allergens inside your home:

  • Make sure to wash your bedding in hot water once every week
  • Cover the bedding and pillows with covers that are allergen-proof
  • Stop using upholstered furniture and carpets
  • Remove stuffed toys
  • Fix any water leaks and clean up water damage that helps the mold and pests to grow and multiply
  • Clean the moldy surfaces and places where mold can form, which includes swamp coolers, humidifiers, refrigerators, and air conditioners
  • Use a dehumidifier to lessen excess moisture
You Should Take the Prescribed Allergy Medication the Entire Season

After you have identified the allergy triggers of your child and the season(s), your doctor might prescribe to minimize the symptoms.

Go to an allergy specialist doctor Manassas VA if you need an allergist before the season starts.

Why You Should Consult an Allergist

If you have a stuffy nose and your eyes begin to itch every spring, you can benefit from an allergist-immunologist. However, those symptoms are not the only ones that can send you to an allergist. They are trained to treat and diagnose conditions that affect the immune system. Most of the time, these doctors are only referred to as allergists. What you do not know is that they help you with more than just allergies. They help you care for more conditions involving your immune system.

Your immune system is going to shield your body against illnesses and germs. It will help you fight off infection and prevent harmful viruses and bacteria from invading your body. Sometimes, the immune system will attack healthy cells.

Read on to find out more.

Convenient

The allergists can be the best solution to get access to the healthcare you need right now. You can just walk in anytime if it is an emergency, and you will receive treatment right away without getting exposed for a long time. You can also book an appointment online before going if it can wait. This is going to save you time and energy.

Proper Treatment Plan

You have a lot of DIY options you can dispose of to get rid of allergy symptoms. However, in case they are consistent and important to the quality of your life, you might need medical intervention. They can prescribe the right medication or even undergo surgery so your nasal passages can open up.

In case You Have Asthma

Asthma will cause your airway muscles to tighten or experience spasms, and the linings of your lungs can get inflamed. This will block airflow, which makes it difficult to breathe. Asthma ranges from life-threatening to mild. You might feel tightness in your chest and you will struggle to catch your breath. You might also experience coughing and wheezing.

Talking to an allergist-immunologist helps get your asthma under control, which means your flares will be a lot fewer. The doctor will prescribe medication in order to treat specific symptoms. They can also help you know more about common triggers like mold, smoke, pet dander, and dust mites, as well as how to avoid them.

They Will Test Your Allergy

The top allergy clinic will test you for allergies. After the initial exam and taking your history, you will want to make sure that your allergy problem is given in detail. This confirmation is possible through tests. Some FDA-approved tests will include skin and blood testing.

Medical Service is High-Quality

Allergy clinics provide accurate allergy assessments and the best pharmacists. They have experienced healthcare providers that can deliver a comprehensive program for your treatment that is tailored to individual requirements.

Great for Future Planning

When you know which substances trigger your allergies, they can be avoided in the future. This could mean anything from avoiding air with heavy pollen outdoors to taking an EpiPen if you accidentally eat tree nuts. An allergist is an important addition to your medical team. You can keep the contact number of the allergist in your area so you know who to contact when you have bad symptoms.

Safe Prevention of Allergic Reactions

Knowing your allergy trigger is the primary step of prevention. If you are aware that you have a nut allergy, you will avoid foods with nuts. It is the same case for people who are allergic to dust, mold, spores, and anything else you can stay away from.

You can visit an allergy center Manassas VA to get the best treatment for your allergies.