Pediatric Allergies
No parent wants to see their child unable to hang from the monkey bars because they are home sick with a stuffy nose and sore throat. We understand it is also difficult as a parent to control everything your child is exposed to. If your child is struggling with allergy-related symptoms, head to OOA, as early identification of childhood allergies will improve your child’s quality of life.
How Do Allergies Affect Children?
Does your child have allergies? Many ear, nose and throat symptoms may be caused by allergies in children. However, allergies can be difficult to separate from other causes. Our allergy doctors in OKC at Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates would like to share some clues that tell them when allergies may be affecting your child.
Children with nasal allergies often have a history of other allergic tendencies including early food allergies or atopic dermatitis in infancy. One concern is that children with nasal allergies are at higher risk of developing asthma.
Nasal allergies can cause sneezing, itching, nasal rubbing, nasal congestion and drainage. Studies show that allergies are not the primary cause of these symptoms in children under four years old. In allergic children, these symptoms are caused by exposure to allergens, mostly pollens, dust, mold and dander. As parents, it is helpful to take note which time of year or in which environments the symptoms are worse for your child, these are important clues to share with your allergy doctor in OKC.
Ear Infections
Most likely, one of your child’s most common medical problems is otitis media or middle ear infection. In most cases, allergies are not the main cause of ear infections in children under two years old. But in older children, allergies may play a role in ear infections with fluid behind the eardrum or problems with uncomfortable ear pressure. Diagnosing and treating allergies may be an important part of healthy ears.
Allergies may lead to the formation of too much mucus which can make the nose run or drip down the back of the throat, leading to “post-nasal drip.” This can lead to coughing, sore throats and you may notice a husky voice. Some studies suggest that large adenoids (a tonsil-like tissue in the back of the nose) are more common in allergic children and the allergy doctors at Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates in OKC treat it with expertise.
Allergic Rhinitis
A frequent symptom of seasonal allergic rhinitis is Chronic nasal obstruction as well as perennial (year-round) allergic rhinitis. Nasal congestion can contribute to sleep disorders such as snoring and obstructive sleep apnea because the nasal airway is the normal breathing route during sleep. Fatigue is one of the most common and most debilitating allergic symptoms. Fatigue not only affects your child’s quality of life but has been shown to affect school performance, concentration and ability to learn.
Seeking Treatment
Allergies should be considered in children who have persistent or recurrent sinus disease. Depending on the age of your child and their individual history, your doctor should be able to help you decide if allergies are likely the problem.