When your child reacts to something, finding the trigger is the first step
Allergies can show up as sneezing, itching, rashes, wheeze or tummy troubles. A pediatric allergy consultation works out whether it is an allergy, what the trigger is, and how to keep your child safe and comfortable.
Wheeze or cough with the allergy? Breathing symptoms may need an asthma evaluation as well.
See Asthma Evaluation →Having an allergy is manageable, and most are not dangerous
Many children have mild allergies, such as a blocked nose or itchy skin, which respond well to avoiding triggers and simple care. Serious reactions are less common, but are important to recognise. The consultation covers both.
What an allergy consultation covers
Allergy can affect the nose, eyes, skin, chest and tummy.
Nose and eyes
Sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and itchy, watery eyes.
Skin
Hives, itching and eczema that flare with certain triggers.
Chest
Cough or wheeze linked to allergens or exercise.
Food reactions
Reactions after eating, and the difference between allergy and intolerance.
Patterns and triggers
Seasonal, indoor, outdoor, food, medicine or insect related.
Safety planning
What to avoid and how to respond to a reaction.
Get urgent help if a child has an allergic reaction with
Don't wait for a routine appointment.
- Difficulty breathing, wheeze or a tight throat
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
- Widespread hives with dizziness or fainting
- Repeated vomiting soon after eating a trigger food
- Sudden paleness, floppiness or collapse
- A hoarse voice or trouble swallowing
- Symptoms after an insect sting or a new medicine that are spreading fast
- Any reaction that is getting worse quickly
What children are commonly allergic to
Triggers vary, and it is the pattern that guides the plan.
Dust, pollen and pollution
Common causes of nose, eye and chest symptoms.
Mites, pets and mould
Often cause year-round symptoms.
Food allergens
Milk, egg, nuts and others, which are assessed with care.
Medicines and stings
Reactions that need careful recording and avoidance.
What your child's visit includes
A detailed conversation
What happens, when, how soon after exposure, and how long it lasts.
An examination
Nose, skin, eyes, chest and general health.
Working out the likely triggers
Using patterns and, where needed, testing.
Tests, only where useful
Some allergy tests are suggested when the history supports them. The reason is explained first.
A practical plan
Avoiding triggers, managing symptoms and what to do in a reaction.
What to bring
Helping the doctor see the full picture
A symptom and trigger diary
Dates, foods, places and what happened.
Photos of reactions
Rashes and swelling often fade before the visit.
Medicines your child has taken
And how they responded.
Family history
Allergy, asthma or eczema in close relatives.
Dr. K. Sushma
Dr. Sushma takes a careful history and avoids unnecessary restrictions, so families get a plan that is safe and still easy to live with.
Questions parents often ask
Symptoms that come on quickly after the same exposure, and repeat, are suggestive. Your doctor will go through the pattern with you.
Not always. Tests are chosen only when they will help, and are interpreted alongside the history.
Some allergies, such as certain food allergies in young children, often fade with age. Others last longer. It depends on the type.
Please don't remove foods without advice, as unnecessary avoidance can harm nutrition. Your doctor will guide you.
Suspect an allergy? Let's find the trigger
Book an allergy consultation with Dr. K. Sushma at our Pragathi Nagar clinic.
