Allergies Specialist

What are allergies?

Allergies are a demonstration of the power of your child’s immune system. That said, it can be hard to appreciate that power when your little one is overwhelmed with symptoms. 

An allergy occurs when a child’s immune system mistakenly launches a strong response to a substance not normally harmful to humans. It begins with swift antibody production, meant to prevent future exposure to an allergen from causing a dangerous reaction. 

However, in kids with allergies, encountering that specific allergen in the future can provoke symptoms like inflammation. In some cases, a serious allergy can cause a child to go into anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition. 

What are some common allergy triggers?

Many things can cause an allergic reaction in kids with allergies. Identifying those triggers is a critical part of avoiding allergy symptoms. 

Some of the substances that can cause an allergic reaction include:

• Eggs
• Soy
• Tree nut
• Peanut
• Milk
• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Dust mites

Some kids only develop an allergy to one substance, while others are burdened with multiple allergies. Abdow Friendship Pediatrics offers state-of-the-art allergy testing in-house and can help your family learn how to prevent allergic reactions.

Are there treatments that can help with allergies?

One of the best ways to avoid an allergic reaction is to learn which substances trigger a response and take steps to avoid those allergens. Unfortunately, that is not always easy. 

Pet dander is challenging to avoid, especially when kids get to the age when they want to spend time at their friends’ homes. Pollen is nearly impossible to avoid, and food allergies make it difficult for kids to eat anything that is prepared outside of the home. 

Medications can help treat allergies. There are many drugs that help control your child’s symptoms. Asthma medications can be especially helpful, and kids with allergies have a higher risk of also developing asthma. 

Immunotherapy is a great option for many kids. That approach works by exposing your child’s system to tiny quantities of known allergens. Over time, they develop a tolerance for those substances, keeping allergic reactions to a minimum. 

If you’d like more information, call the office to check appointment availability. Online booking is also an option.

We specialize in Pediatric and Adolescent medicine in Rockville, MD. Call us to book your appointment today.