POLLEN COUNT
Allergies spare no one—not even children. The condition in itself can zap the energy of even the most active children and cause them to feel miserable. For parents, the anxiety brought on by seeing and caring for their children as they struggle with their symptoms and worrying about their next flare-up can be downright overwhelming.
Regardless of whether your child is living with a perennial allergy or battling a seasonal one, there are steps you can take to effectively tamp down your child’s symptoms and keep them from causing quality-of-life issues. Consider these recommendations from our very own allergy specialists here at Oak Brook Allergists.
#1 Team up with a pediatric allergy specialist.
The first step to helping your child live well with their allergies is to have them see an allergy doctor, specifically one who specializes in treating pediatric patients. This is especially important, since it is often easy to mistake irritability, fidgeting, and difficulty concentrating as signs of a learning or behavioral disorder, when they can, in fact, also arise from your child’s discomfort caused by their allergies.
By carrying out a comprehensive review of your child’s medical history, a physical examination, and allergy testing, a pediatric allergy doctor can successfully pinpoint the trigger/s and devise an effective treatment plan.
The advantage of seeing an allergist is that the doctor can teach your child on how and when to use their allergy medication. Short-acting allergy medications usually work best when taken at the first sign of an incoming allergic reaction— waiting until things get bad is not recommended. An allergy doctor can also educate your child about the early signs of a flare-up and the appropriate steps to take to prevent a severe reaction.
#2 Allergy-proof your home.
If your child is allergic to pollen, then it is important to keep the windows closed; wash beddings, linens, and curtains, and clothes frequently; use a home purifier with a HEPA filter; and clean regularly. If you have carpeting, it is best to either remove it or switch to low-pile carpeting – and vacuum weekly. If your child has pet allergy, bathing your pet once a week may help reduce the amount of dander they shed.
#3 Have your child wear an allergy medical ID bracelet.
This is imperative for children with severe allergies, but it can also be useful for those with mild ones. After all, even mild allergies do not guarantee mild reactions in the future, and your child will not be by your side all the time.
An allergy medical ID bracelet contains important information, such as your child’s name, allergy triggers, medications they are taking, and instructions about how to self-administer life-saving medications, namely an EpiPens.
Pediatric Allergist in Downers Grove, Naperville, Elmhurst, Plainfield, IL
If you’re concerned about your child’s allergies, take them to see one of our board-certified allergy doctors here at Oak Brook Allergists. We will thoroughly assess your child to create an individualized, comprehensive treatment plan to help them successfully take control of—or even defeat—their allergies.
To schedule an appointment with one of our allergy doctors, call our allergy clinic today at (630) 574-0460, or simply use our convenient appointment request form.
