If your child suffers from symptoms of mild allergy or asthma, you may be able to address them without medical intervention. However, if the symptoms are becoming increasingly frequent or troublesome, it may be time to seek the help of an allergist, who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases and asthma.
Let’s get a better understanding of how an allergist can help your child.
Identifying Allergy Triggers
An allergist can perform allergy testing to determine the exact cause of your child’s symptoms. It can be carried out in a number of ways, including:
· Skin Prick Test
The skin prick test involves placing a tiny drop of a possible allergen on the skin, then lightly pricking or scratching the skin with a needle through the drop. A positive result is marked by raised red, itchy bumps (hives), indicating an allergic reaction to that substance.
The procedure is carried out in a safe environment and is closely monitored throughout.
· Patch Test
A patch test can help determine the cause of certain skin sensitivities. It involves applying a small amount of a possible allergen to the skin, applying a bandage, and then checking the reaction again after 48 to 96 hours. If a local rash develops, this indicates that your child is allergic to that substance.
· Blood Test
A blood allergy test involves drawing and sending a sample of blood to a lab for testing. It can detect and measure specific antibodies that are produced by the immune system in response to an allergen. High levels can indicate an allergic reaction.
A blood allergy test is helpful for diagnosing allergies, especially where there is a high risk of severe reaction.
Providing Treatment for Allergies and Asthma
An allergist can work with you and your child to develop a personalized treatment plan, based on the exact diagnosis and symptoms.
If your child is living with asthma, an allergist can educate you on how to help your child avoid triggers, adhere to medications, and prepare to treat asthma episodes, if they occur. An allergist can also collaborate with you to create an asthma action plan to effectively reduce the risk of exacerbations and avoid emergency room visits.
To treat allergies, an allergist can help develop a personalized treatment plan that may include identifying and learning how to avoid allergy triggers, medications, and immunotherapy (allergy shots or allergy drops).
Immunotherapy is an effective approach to treating environmental allergies and some food allergies. The treatment involves giving your child small amounts of a specific allergen over a period of time. This allows your child’s immune system to eventually get desensitized to the allergen.
Pediatric Allergist in Bradenton, FL
At Intercoastal Medical Group, we provide high-quality allergy and immunology services, as well as the other essential healthcare services. Our board-certified allergist Dr. Matthew Aresery specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a full spectrum of adult and pediatric allergic diseases and asthma. Dr. Aresery has helped dozens of our patients who have asthma and/or allergies take full control of their symptoms and live normal, healthy lives.
Call us today at (941) 362-8640 for an appointment or alternatively, you can request one online. Dr. Aresery sees patients at our Lakewood Ranch I office in Bradenton and at various offices on our Sarasota campuses.
