Allergies in Children

Allergies in children are increasingly common and we can help you diagnose and control them. Allergies are caused by the immune system responding to allergens in the environment. The most common allergens for young children are certain foods, dust and pollen.

The most common symptoms of allergies include dermatitis, nasal congestion, sneezing and itchy eyes. In severe cases, a child may develop hives or experience difficulty breathing.

In order to diagnose an allergy, your child's doctor will need to do a physical examination, go through your child’s history and arrange for specific allergy testing if appropriate, including skin prick tests, patch tests, or blood tests.

Treatment for Allergies in Children

Treatment depends on what type of allergy is present. If a food allergy is suspected, then your child will be advised to eliminate or greatly reduce the food from his diet and be monitored regularly whilst eating other foods. If an environmental allergy is suspected (such as house dust mites), then your child may need medication and home modifications to reduce his symptoms so he can continue to enjoy time at school or playdates with friends.