Allergy treatment

Kids and allergies seem to go hand-in-hand. Children's allergies are a common chronic childhood disease, affecting nearly 50 million American children.

Allergists at Medical City Children's Hospital are board certified and use advanced technology to provide excellent care for your child.

In addition to diagnosis and treatment for many conditions, parents have access to a breakthrough oral immunotherapy (OIT) that treats food allergies. This OIT takes several months, and by the end of it more than 80 percent of patients can eat foods they were previously allergic to without any reaction.

Allergy shots are sometimes referred to as immunotherapy. They are an effective treatment for various allergies and potentially provide relief for asthma related to allergies as well. Allergy shots are particularly beneficial for children because they help reduce their chances of developing more intense allergies or asthma in adulthood.

After an initial test to see which allergies your child may have, personalized injections are created for each patient based on their results. The shots are made up of all-natural proteins from allergens, which allows the immune system to recognize these proteins and build tolerance.

The shots are injected under the skin (subdermally). Shots begin with a build-up phase, which gradually increases the dosage until the therapeutic amount is reached. Then, the therapeutic dose is administered regularly for three to five years while the immune system acclimates and shifts to recognizing the foreign body as a non-allergen.

Redness and swelling at the injection site may occur, and severe reactions, such as anaphylaxis, are rare; however, this is why patients should receive allergy shots from a licensed facility, where they can be observed for medical emergencies.

Childhood asthma can't be cured, but, with careful management, you can prevent damage to their growing lungs and unnecessary visits to the pediatric ER.

Visit your primary care physician for an asthma exam if your child experiences:

• Shortness of breath
• Whistling or wheezing while exhaling
• Constant intermittent coughing
• Chest congestion
• Chest tightness or pain
• Short, shallow breaths