Resources and Guidance on Testing & Treatment
Did you know that in the US:
- 1 in 5 children have seasonal allergies
- 1 in 20 children have food allergies
- Approximately 90% of children with asthma have allergies
What Causes Allergies?
Allergies are caused by the body’s reaction to substances called “allergens.” Common allergens include pollen, pollutants, and dust. Allergies trigger the immune system to react to harmless substances as though they were attacking the body. Some allergies are easy to identify by the pattern of symptoms that follows exposure to a particular substance. But others are subtler and may masquerade as other conditions. (HealthyKids.org)
Allergies in Wisconsin
The air we breathe is filled with pollen, dust, and pollutants and while these may not affect everyone, they can cause painful or frustrating symptoms in many. In Wisconsin, we experience four seasons, which creates lots of allergens all year round:
Spring: Tree pollen, like oak, birch, and cedar, is the main allergen during spring in Wisconsin.
Summer: Grass pollen is the primary allergen in the summer months.
Late Summer/Early Fall: Ragweed pollen becomes a concern in late summer and continues until the end of allergy season.
Year Round: Dust mites, mold, and pets.
What Do Allergies Look Like In Kids?
Many children experience itching or tingling sensations in their mouth and throat which is not usually a complaint with a cold, but it is the hallmark of an allergy problem. Congestion, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory symptoms can also occur. Children may even experience recurrent red, itchy, dry, and sometimes scaly rashes in the creases of their skin, on their wrists, or on their ankles. Look out for:
- Runny nose
- Nasal stuffiness
- Sneezing
- Throat clearing
- Nose rubbing
- Sniffling
- Snorting
- Sneezing
- Itchy, runny eyes
Scheduling an Allergy Test for Your Child
If your child is showing symptoms like sneezing, coughing, wheezing, skin rashes, or stomach pain, especially if they are persistent, seasonal, or happen after exposure to new environments or food, it’s important to have them tested. At Lake Country Pediatrics, S.C. we provide uniquely tailored skin tests that are pain free. Check out our article What to Expect During Your Allergy Skin Testing Appointment for more details and to help prepare for your appointment!
Our testing includes these important allergens:
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Seasonal pollen allergies like trees, grasses, and weeds
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Year-round airborne allergies like mold, animal dander, and dust mites
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Common food allergens*
*Note: Most food allergens will be evaluated via blood draw looking for antibodies to specific foods.
Avoiding Allergy Symptoms & Reactions
The best way of avoiding allergy symptoms is by staying away from the allergens that cause them. This requires a dedicated effort because most people with an allergy to one environmental particle — pollen, dust, pet dander, or mold — are also allergic to others. Each allergen, presented individually, may not activate your symptoms but multiple ones can gang up on your immune system and create a reaction. That reaction could range in severity and discomfort from sneezing or itchy eyes to recurrent bronchitis, sinus infections and asthma. That’s why it’s important to discover all your triggers with an allergy test so you can take the necessary steps to avoid them wherever possible, or to treat them.
Additional Allergy Resources
If you have any questions about your child or their symptoms, we encourage you to call Oconomowoc Pediatrics or Delafield Pediatrics care locations for immediate support. You can also explore our other articles on allergies, including: