Who is a pediatric allergist?
Allergy is an exaggerated immune response of the body to internal or external environmental triggers. Pediatric allergists or immunologists are physicians who try to reduce the frequency and severity of such allergic reactions by determining the cause and identifying potential triggers for prevention.
Though immunologists care for patients of all ages, pediatric allergists specifically treat children from infancy to adolescence. These pediatric specialists receive hands-on training and experience dealing with kids' unique medical needs, which significantly differ from those of adults. They use specialized tests to diagnose various types of allergies, from blood tests to skin prick tests. After determining the cause, the treatment may involve a combination of immunotherapy (allergy shots), medication, flu shots, and preventive strategies.
A compromised immune system, in addition to external factors, can lead to severe immunological reactions. Various tests can diagnose these so that specialists can administer the appropriate therapy.
What is the educational background of a pediatric allergist?
Pediatric allergists are doctors who receive specialized training in the study of immunology, primarily emphasizing the disorders commonly seen in infants, children, and adolescents. Like most other medical professionals, aspirants initially attend medical school to earn medical degrees. They then pursue a pediatrics or internal medicine residency and apply for board certification.
Overall, an aspiring pediatric immunologist will take the following steps to obtain a license to practice:
- Obtain a bachelor's degree before applying to a medical school, which generally takes four years.
- Enroll in a medical school to learn the basics of the human body and receive an MD or Doctor of Medicine degree. It also takes around four years.
- Enroll in a residency program that lasts three years, during which a physician focuses on gaining expertise in clinical settings. Doctors can specialize in either internal medicine or pediatrics.
- Doctors must pass a certification exam to receive a credential from the American Board of Pediatrics or the American Board of Internal Medicine.
- Doctors then pursue a two-year fellowship program in allergy and immunology, followed by a certification examination overseen by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology to earn a license to practice.
How does the immune system of a child work?
The immune system is the body's protector. Its job is to keep harmful organisms from getting in and damaging the body. It comprises cells, tissues, proteins, and organs that work together to fight off microorganisms like fungi, viruses, parasites, and bacteria.
Leukocytes and lymphocytes are two types of white blood cells in the blood. They detect and attack foreign substances or disease-causing organisms in the body. These cells are made or stored in the body's lymphoid organs and tissues, like the lymph nodes, spleen, and bone marrow. Leukocytes are then carried through the body by lymph or blood via a network of capillaries. They help the body stay healthy and protect it from danger.
When your child's immune system works well, it protects the body from harmful invaders and keeps it healthy. However, it can lead to infections and illnesses when it doesn't work adequately.
What are the symptoms of pediatric allergies?
Common triggers of allergies in children include pollen, latex, dust, specific foods, medicines, insect bites, pet fur, cigarette smoke, or perfume. Every allergen affects different areas of the child's body, such as the eyes, nose, skin, lungs, or stomach. These allergies often show some symptoms, so if your child has any of the following issues, you must immediately contact a pediatric allergist near you:
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Excessive sneezing
- Breathing difficulty, chest tightness, coughing, or wheezing
- Eye irritation and redness
- Swollen eyes, lips, mouth, or throat
- Itchy hives or skin rash
- Diarrhea
Causes for immune dysfunction in children
Several potential reasons for immune system dysfunction in a child or adolescent exist. Determining the cause can help decide the proper treatment approach required for the child. Several factors contribute to this, some of which are:
- Overactive immune system: This can cause allergic reactions like rhinitis, eczema, and asthma, which happen when the immune system produces an exaggerated response to a harmless trigger or allergen that it deems dangerous.
- Primary immune deficiency: This phenomenon occurs when a child's immune system is weak since birth. One example is bubble boy disease, also called severe combined immunodeficiency. Children with this illness don't have enough white blood cells to protect them from fungi, viruses, and bacteria, so they are likely to get infected and fall ill often.
- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome: In this syndrome, a child gets sick, and their immune system weakens permanently due to an infection by a virus that destroys the body's white blood cells. HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is the organism that leads to this syndrome. However, some acquired deficiencies can also be temporary, caused by the flu, measles, or certain medicines used to treat illness.
- Autoimmune disorder: It occurs when the child's immune system attacks its healthy tissues. Autoimmune diseases like juvenile diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis are some examples.
What are some common allergic conditions in children?
Did you know allergies are a leading cause of health issues for kids? Let's explore some common allergic conditions in children and how they can impact their lives.
- Allergic rhinitis (hay fever): Despite its nickname, hay fever isn't triggered by hay, nor does it cause a fever. Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common childhood allergies, causing sneezing, nasal congestion, runny noses, and itchy, watery eyes. Some children may also experience postnasal drip or chronic ear problems. These symptoms can be frustrating, but proper treatment can bring considerable relief.
- Nasal congestion: Does your child often breathe through their mouth, especially at night? Chronic nasal congestion caused by allergies can lead to disrupted sleep, leaving kids tired during the day. If left untreated, prolonged mouth breathing can even affect the development of their teeth and facial bones. Early intervention is critical to preventing these complications among children.
- Ear infections: Allergies can also affect the ears, causing inflammation and fluid buildup that might lead to ear infections or temporary hearing loss. This condition can be especially concerning for babies learning to talk, as hearing issues might delay their speech development. Symptoms like earaches, popping, or a full sensation shouldn't be ignored by parents. A visit to a pediatric allergist near you can help address these concerns.
- Food allergies: These allergies affect various children, with peanuts and milk being the most common culprits. Other triggers include eggs, soy, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and wheat. While some allergies - like those to milk or eggs - may fade over time, others, like peanut or shellfish allergies, can last a lifetime. Severe reactions, known as anaphylaxis, may require immediate treatment with an epinephrine auto-injector.
By understanding these conditions and seeking timely care, parents can help their children live healthier, happier lives. After all, every child deserves to breathe easily and enjoy life to the fullest!
What is the treatment for pediatric allergies?
While there is no cure for pediatric allergies, you can help your child effectively manage them by avoiding the triggers. So, if your child is allergic to certain foods, such as milk, peanuts, or shellfish, it would be best to exclude them from their diet.
Children with dust allergies need a revamp of their surroundings—no pets in the house, use a dehumidifier, avoid opening windows, and remove all items that catch dust. Similarly, there are helpful strategies for every type of allergy. Talk to your child's pediatric allergist about them.
If the allergy signs keep recurring, the provider may prescribe antihistamines, eye drops, or nasal sprays. In severe cases, they may also suggest immunotherapy and give your child allergy shots every few weeks to reduce or stop symptoms.
Let those who often deal with your child, such as teachers, neighbors, family members, and friends' parents, know about their allergies and care tips because you usually cannot always be with them.
What should you ask your child's allergist?
During consultations, the pediatric allergist will give you enough time to express your queries concerning your child's allergies. You may ask them the following questions to understand the condition in detail and how you can manage it:
- Why did my child develop the allergy?
- Will my child's allergies affect their daily life?
- Will my child's allergy remain lifelong?
- Is my child's allergy life-threatening?
- What changes should I make to prevent my child from experiencing allergy attacks?
- How can I teach my child about protecting themselves from allergens?
- Will my child develop more allergies in the future?
Does your child require allergy testing?
According to experts, if your child experiences allergy-like symptoms such as a sore throat, watery eyes, or a stuffy nose—especially after playing outside or exposure to a specific food or product—it's recommended that you consult a pediatric allergist near you.
Pediatric allergists will perform allergy testing for any child experiencing nasal allergies not controlled by medications, asthma, hives, recurrent sinus infections, eczema, or possible food allergies to determine the root cause behind their allergic problems.
Although allergy testing can be performed at any age, it is recommended for children six months or older.
What diagnostic tests do pediatric allergists perform?
The following are some of the diagnostic tests performed by pediatric allergists:
- Scratch/prick test: The scratch or prick test is the most commonly performed allergy test. This test places a small amount of a possible allergen on the skin's surface. Then, an allergist uses a small device to prick the top layer of the skin, allowing the allergen to enter.
- Intradermal test: Intradermal tests diagnose allergies when other methods are inconclusive. In this test, the allergist injects one or more potential allergens just below the arm's skin.
- Patch test: Patch tests are a method used to diagnose contact dermatitis and determine whether a specific allergen is causing symptoms. In a patch test, the doctor applies the allergen to a patch on the upper back skin to observe any reactions or symptoms that may develop.
Anaphylaxis in children
Anaphylaxis is an acute, life-threatening response to an allergen. It is a medical emergency. Your child can have an allergic reaction within seconds or an hour after contact.
Common causes of anaphylaxis include food items, bee stings, medications, dyes for medical tests, allergy shots, or latex. The signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis usually manifest rapidly. These may include:
- Tightness or swelling in their throat, tongue, or uvula (the small, soft pendulum at the back of the throat)
- Intense itching of the skin
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hives all over the body
- Uneasy feeling or jumpiness
- Loss of bladder control
- Lowered blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart failure
For a pediatric allergist to diagnose a child with anaphylaxis, they require the following information - any known allergies, exposure to any known or possible allergens, symptoms, a physical evaluation, and blood test results (in some instances).
Finding pediatric allergists near you in Chicago, Illinois
Finding pediatric allergists with the appropriate education and experience to treat your child's condition can be challenging; however, using our website, Zocdoc, can make this process much more manageable.
A specialist listed on Zocdoc can be narrowed down based on your child's symptoms, appointment date, location, family insurance, and the doctor's acceptance of that policy. Using Zocdoc's insurance detector, you can quickly identify in-network providers near you. If you do not have insurance or do not want to use insurance for your appointment, you can always find another suitable provider on Zocdoc. For more insurance-related queries, check Zocdoc's patient help center.
You can use Zocdoc to schedule in-person or virtual visits by entering your preferred appointment type and the doctor's specialty into the respective search fields. After you submit your information, our website will find the top pediatric allergists near you in Chicago based on your requirements.
All pediatric allergists on Zocdoc have well-described profiles to help you choose wisely. The profile details the doctor's background in education and training, specialties, years of experience, certifications, licenses, affiliations, accreditations, and honors, as well as any conditions they have successfully treated. Users can also access information about the doctors' genders, spoken languages, patient ages they treat most often, office hours, and days/times they are available for appointments.
Whenever you find a suitable pediatric allergist near you, go ahead and book an appointment with them via Zocdoc—it is free, fast, and secure!
Pediatric immunology stats you should know
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's 2018 report, around 9.2 million children in the United States have skin allergies, with children between the ages of 4 and 5 being the most likely to suffer from them.
Nearly 1.7 million children in the United States (18% of the pediatric population) have at least one allergy, according to a 2018 report by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. This study focuses on the three most common types of allergic reactions:
- Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic response distinguished by a fast drop in blood pressure and trouble breathing)
- Dermatitis (inflamed skin or skin rash
- Rhinitis (runny, stuffy nose)
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health 2011, there were 72,810 emergency room visits and 18,968 hospitalizations, with asthma being the primary diagnosis. The report also states that 54.7%, one in two children with asthma, missed at least one day of schooling in the past year due to this allergic lung condition. Timely treatment and follow-ups with a good immunologist can help prevent such emergencies.
Sources
WebMD
Corewell Health
Nemours KidsHealth[1]
Nemours KidsHealth[2]
Johns Hopkins Medicine
healthychildren.org
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
BlueCross BlueShield
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Illinois Department of Public Health
Cedars Sinai[1]
Cedars-Sinai[2]
Center for Allergy & Asthma of Georgia
Oak Brook Allergists
Claritin
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
