How Do You Know If Your Child's Allergies Require A Specialist Visit?

14 February 2023 by Brent Woods

Inhalant allergies are some of the most common allergies in adults and children. Allergies to airborne particles can trigger numerous symptoms, ranging from relatively mild hay fever to much more severe and frustrating symptoms. In some cases, these symptoms can easily interfere with daily life or make day-to-day activities extremely unpleasant.

While it's often easy to recognize the signs of severe allergies in yourself, it may be more challenging to know when your child's allergies warrant a visit to a specialist. If you think your child may be suffering from relatively severe inhalant allergy symptoms, here are three indications that scheduling an appointment with a specialist may be a good idea.

1. Over-The-Counter Medications Aren't Working

Many over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications are either unsafe for children or only available in lower dosages. However, there are some safe options if your child suffers from chronic allergies, and your pediatrician may recommend some of these for more severe symptoms. Unfortunately, persistent allergies won't always respond to OTC medication.

In these cases, scheduling an appointment with an allergy specialist is often a good next step. An allergy specialist can help you understand the underlying causes of your child's allergies while suggesting treatments that may be more effective and safer than OTC medication. Working with a specialist is always a better choice than continuing to use ineffective medication.

2. Symptoms Are Worsening

Allergies can worsen for numerous reasons, and your child's allergies may get worse as they get older. However, allergies can be complex, and there may be many reasons your child's symptoms are getting worse. In these cases, it's important to understand the triggers for their symptoms and what you can potentially do to help them from impacting your child's quality of life or performance at school.

An allergy specialist can perform tests to determine the most likely triggers and help you understand what steps you can take to help their symptoms from progressing. In many cases, beginning allergy treatments can help to address the root causes, ensuring your child's symptoms remain easily manageable.

3. Their Allergies Aren't Seasonal

It's common to experience allergies starting in late winter or early spring, as tree pollination begins and pollen counts increase. Minor seasonal allergies during these times are often not a concern, even in children. However, more severe or non-seasonal allergies may be worth additional consideration and action.

If your child's allergies continue year-round, their trigger may be something in your home or another everyday environment, such as school. Working with an allergy specialist is the best option to get to the bottom of these allergies so you can take steps to remove the trigger or, if necessary, begin an appropriate treatment plan.

For more information, contact an inhalant allergy ENT specialist near you.

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