ALLERGIES

Allergies are a major cause of illness in the United States. Up to 50 million Americans, including millions of kids, have some type of allergy. In fact, allergies cause about 2 million missed school days each year. But allergies, while not curable, are absolutely treatable and manageable. At Yeled Shalom Pediatric Clinic, our pediatrician, Eliézer Hernández, MD, PA, offers customized solutions for treating chronic allergies. Dr. Hernández can identify potential allergy triggers and help your child better manage their allergic reactions through medication and avoidance plans.

If your child has seasonal allergies or sporadic allergic reactions, call our team at Yeled Shalom Pediatric Clinic in Eagle Pass, TX, to schedule an evaluation so that we can help develop a treatment and management plan to give your child the relief they need.

What are allergies?

Allergies are abnormal immune system reactions to things that are typically harmless to most people. When a person is allergic to something, the immune system mistakenly believes that this substance is harming the body.

Some of the substances that cause allergic reactions include some foods (especially dairy, seafood and nuts), animal dander, insect bites, dust, plant pollen, or medicines.

Oftentimes childhood allergies resolve on their own as kids get older and immune systems develop. However, in some cases, childhood allergies can become a life-long issue that requires ongoing management to prevent serious concerns and reactions.

What are the symptoms of allergies?

Symptoms of allergies can vary both in type and in severity from person to person. Allergies may have the following symptoms:

  • Itchy eyes

  • Sneezing

  • A stuffy nose

  • Throat tightness

  • Trouble breathing

  • Vomiting

  • Dry, itchy skin or hives

  • Fainting or passing out

If your child has severe allergies (such as those to food, medicine, or insect venom), he or she can be at risk for a sudden, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can happen just seconds after being exposed to an allergen or not until a few hours later (if the reaction is from a food).

How are allergies diagnosed? How do I know what my child is allergic to?

If your child shows symptoms of allergies, call our Eagle Pass, TX, pediatric clinic today in order to have your child evaluated. Our team of medical professionals can provide on-site diagnosis and testing in order to determine your child’s allergies as well as develop a proper treatment and management plan.

In many cases, a simple skin allergy test can determine which substances cause a reaction in your child. The process is simple and allows Dr. Hernández to determine the specific allergens impacting your child’s health.

What treatments are available for allergies?

Unfortunately there is no cure for allergies, but symptoms can be alleviated and managed. One of the best ways to help your child cope with allergies is to ensure that your child avoids the allergens that trigger an allergic reaction. Having your child evaluated by a pediatrician is an important step so that your child is properly tested and diagnosed. Parents should then educate their kids early and often, not only about the allergy itself, but also about potential reactions they can have if they consume or come into contact with the allergen.

If avoiding environmental allergens is not possible or does not help your child’s symptoms, the pediatrician might prescribe medicines, including antihistamines, eye drops, and nasal sprays. In some instances, non-prescription medication (available over-the-counter at pharmacies) can relieve symptoms and prevent allergy attacks. Allergies can also be related to childhood asthma, so it is important to monitor your child’s symptoms and call your pediatrician if your child begins to develop symptoms of allergy-triggered asthma.

In some cases, doctors recommend allergy shots (immunotherapy) to help desensitize a person to an allergen. But allergy shots are only helpful for allergens such as dust, mold, pollens, animals, and insect stings. They're not used for food allergies.

If your child has severe allergies and anaphylaxis is a concern, Dr. Eliézer Hernández may also prescribe an injectable epinephrine medication to quickly address allergic reactions and prevent life-threatening breathing difficulties.

If your child experiences any kind of allergies, schedule an appointment at Yeled Shalom Pediatric Clinic in Eagle Pass, TX, so our team of experienced, medical professionals can help your child enjoy an active, healthy life with proper allergy management.