The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology reports that allergies often run in families. A child may inherit a food or environmental allergy from one or both parents. In addition to family history, there are a few other reasons to contact an allergist/immunologist with pediatric experience to examine your little one for potential irritants. 

Food Sensitivities

As you begin introducing foods to your baby, you may notice he or she has a negative reaction to certain foods. This can be anything from breaking out in hives to developing eczema to having difficulty breathing. Although it is possible for a child to be allergic to any food source, a few common culprits include peanuts, milk, wheat, and shellfish. If you see that your child is sensitive to particular foods, you'll want to schedule a day to have allergy testing done. 

Emergence of Allergy Symptoms

Perhaps your child is free of food allergies, but develops allergy symptoms later on in life due to environmental allergens. He or she may experience sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and a stuffy nose. Pollen is the biggest culprit during the spring season, but dust and mold are also a concern year-round. Allergy testing will reveal which of the triggers are causing your little one's issues so a plan can be implemented to bring the child relief. 

Identifying Unknown Allergens

Allergy testing is also a great resource for identifying unknown allergens that your child may be suffer from in the future. This is an excellent preventative tool that will aid parents in keeping their children from coming in contact with something that will lead to an allergic reaction. For example, a child that has never been around a dog that is allergic to dogs will find out from the results of the allergy test. The parent then knows to stick with alternative pets down the road, such as a bird or fish.  

Risks of Untreated Allergies

Knowing your child's allergies after having the test performed will give your doctor the information needed to treat the allergies so that no further complications arise. For example, the physician may recommend immunizations, or allergy shots, which will desensitize your son or daughter's body of that particular allergen. Leaving the allergies untreated can result in lack of sleep, breathing difficulties, serious asthma flare-ups, and eczema outbreaks. Your child may also develop an ear or sinus infection as a result of the allergies. 

For more information, talk to a professional like Dino Peds.

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