Allergies
Pediatrics offered in San Antonio, TX
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Allergies services offered in San Antonio, TX
Itchy watery eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing can indicate that your child has allergies. If these are accompanied by wheezing or shortness of breath, it could be asthma. At Pedi Place @ Westover Hills in San Antonio, Texas, pediatrician Yvonne Miranda, MD, and an expert team of providers evaluate your child’s symptoms and, when needed, help you manage their allergies or asthma. Call today or fill out the online form to request an appointment.
Allergies Q & A
What are allergies?
Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance. Allergies may occur in response to environmental things, like pollen or pet dander, or substances, such as certain foods or latex.
Allergies can affect the airways, the skin, or the digestive tract. Symptoms depend on the type of allergy your child has and may include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Scratchy throat
- Hives
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
The team at Pedi Place @ Westover Hills will evaluate your child to see if they require a simple trial of medication or a visit with an Allergist to identify the causes and help with treatment options. They may ask you to maintain a journal to help you identify your child’s triggers.
What is the difference between allergies and asthma?
Allergies and asthma can show up in similar ways. Asthma can be triggered by common allergens, including pollution, mold, pet dander, and tree pollen.
Allergies affect your child’s sinuses and airways but can also show up as eye problems or hives. The team can help you manage your child’s allergies, but they cannot be cured.
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects your child’s breathing. It causes inflammation in the airways, narrowing the passageway into your lungs. This makes your child short of breath. Their chest may feel tight, and they may gasp, wheeze, and cough during an attack. Asthma attacks can occur in response to common allergens, exercise, weather changes, or infections in your respiratory system.
An asthma flare-up can make it hard for your child to breathe. Asthma cannot be cured but can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.
How are allergies and asthma diagnosed?
If your provider suspects your child has an allergy, they may recommend a skin test. This involves a slight skin prick followed by applying a liquid version of a suspected allergen. The team then monitors the area for a reaction like redness, swelling, or itching at the test site. If there’s a reaction, that’s a good sign your child is allergic.
An asthma diagnosis is made via lung function testing and sometimes with a chest X-ray.