For parents, a child’s allergies can range from a minor nuisance to frightening. Your child’s first allergic reaction can include mild symptoms like sneezing and coughing to shortness of breath and hives. About 4-6% of children have food allergies. That number increases to 15-25% for hay fever. If you suspect that your child has an allergy, whether it’s to food, pollen, mold, or any other environmental element, you probably want to get to the bottom of the problem as soon as possible. If your child experiences classic symptoms, it’s time to visit an allergy specialist Las Vegas.

Respiratory Distress

Respiratory problems like coughing, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes that appear in children can be due to a common cold. However, they can also be a sign of an allergic reaction. If your child has cold-like symptoms that persist for more than seven days, and especially if they happen at the same time of year, the cause may be an allergy. Symptoms of wheezing and coughing, especially after a child has spent time inside, may indicate an allergy to an indoor substance.

Gastrointestinal Problems

Gastrointestinal problems like cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea may be caused by an adverse reaction to a food or food group. If your child exhibits these symptoms, especially multiple times, start by keeping a food diary to determine which foods he or she may be allergic to. An allergy doctor Las Vegas can also perform a test to pinpoint the allergy.

Hives and Breathing Problems

Systemic allergy symptoms are some of the most dangerous. If your child develops hives, has trouble breathing, gets a bad rash, or has other troublesome symptoms after exposure to a substance, you may be dealing with a more serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If this happens, don’t wait to seek help! A Las Vegas allergist can help determine what your child is allergic to, either through a skin test or a blood test, to reduce risk in the future.

Testing for Allergies

Skin tests, blood tests, and elimination diets are the most common methods of determining an allergy. If a red patch appears on the skin following a skin test, it’s a sign that your child is allergic to a specific substance. A blood test will also pinpoint an offending allergen. If a food allergy is suspected, a Las Vegas allergy doctor can also use a process of elimination to determine the food causing the allergy attack. Regardless of the allergy testing method, however, your child’s doctor can prescribe treatment and a management plan based on the results.

For a parent, there’s nothing worse than seeing a child suffer. Fortunately, your child doesn’t have to live with allergies. Whether you suspect a food allergy or seasonal allergies, help is just a step away. Your local Las Vegas allergist can perform testing and recommend management plans to help your child live a healthy, safe life that keeps allergies at bay.

Contact Tottori Allergy at tottoriallergy.com or 702-240-4233.