According to the CDC, more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year, and allergic conditions are the 6th most common cause of chronic illness in the U.S. They affect as many as 30% of adults and 40% of children in the United States.
An allergy is defined as an abnormal inflammatory response triggered by repeated exposure to an allergen. An allergen can be any substance that stimulates an abnormal response upon entering the body by inhalation, ingestion, or contact. The allergic response may target a single organ, such as the nasal membranes that cause runny nose, or multiple organ systems such as those involved in anaphylaxis. Allergies can be seasonal or perennial, meaning it lasts all year long.
There are many different types of allergies. Some people are allergic to dust, pet dander, pollen or mold. Others are allergic to latex, or certain drugs or insect stings. Food allergies are also common. Any food can cause an allergic reaction, but the eight most common food allergens are eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy.
To find the cause of an allergy, doctors usually do skin tests for the most common environmental and food allergens. They might do blood tests instead for kids with skin conditions, who are on certain medicines, or who are very sensitive to a particular allergen.
Allergy symptoms can include:
There’s no cure for allergies, but symptoms can be managed. The best way to cope with them is to avoid the allergens.
Many doctors recommend allergy shots (immunotherapy) to build up a person’s tolerance to allergens. But these are only helpful for allergens such as dust, mold, pollens, animals, and insect stings. They’re not used for food allergies.
Schedule a telehealth appointment or come in today to discuss your options for testing and treatment for your child’s allergies.
