Kid Allergies: What to Look for and How To Treat
Allergies in children can come in many forms, not just coughing and sneezing. Skin allergies are annoying and come in several forms. Consulting a Pediatric Dermatologist at Alaska Family Dermatology will help to quickly alleviate pain and discomfort. Below are some common allergies associated with children and some tips to deal with symptoms that come along.
Enviromental Irritants
- Dry air
- Sweating
- Certain soaps and detergents
- Foods like eggs, nuts, cow milk, wheat, soy, and seafood, but only sometimes
Environmental Irritants can vary based on region. Local Dermatologists are the best in diagnosing this type of allergy.
Hives/ Swelling
Itchy patches and red bumps on the skin are Hives. They can be short-lasting or appear for hours, coming and going over days.
Causes:
- Medication, antibiotics
- Insects
- Foods (sensitivity to seafood, nuts, eggs, milk, etc)
- Latex
- Pets
- & more
Eczema
What causes Eczema is unknown. A combination of genes and environmental conditions are known to develop eczema. It is common if your child has asthma, food allergies, or hay fever or they are common within the family.
Symptoms can include:
- Red rash
- Skin scratches that lead to itching
- Repeat skin issues due to scratching
- Dry skin
Allergy Patch Testing: Easy and Painless
Patch testing allows Alaska Family Dermatology to test for up to 89 skin allergies to determine if your child’s rash is caused by an allergen that comes in contact with skin. Our test is recommended by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. In addition, we utilize an allergen panel that is specific to pediatric patients. There is no pain associated with patch testing because unlike scratch tests, there are no needles used when the patches are being applied.
Make an Appointment for Allergy Patch Testing
The patch test can help us identify a variety of skin allergies including:
- Fragrance Allergies
- Household Product Allergies
- Detergent Allergies
- Soap Allergies
- Metals Allergies
- Adhesive Allergies
Treating Allergies
Keeping kids skin healthy is important in protecting against allergies and irritants. Healthy, Moist, and cCean.
- Spot and Treat ASAP. If you see symptoms of skin irritation or infection (red, sore, raised, hot, or crusty skin), contact us or a Dermatologist as soon as you can.
- Be Gentle on Skin. Use soaps, cleansers, perfumes, dyes, etc that are not harsh to sensitive skin.
- Fabrics Matter. Rough clothes can make skin irritated, causing scratching and worse.
- Clean and Dry. Avoid bubbles and focus on lukewarm water for baths. Shorter the better, 3-5 minutes works. Long baths can dry out and irritate skin. Air dry or gently pat their skin dry. Consult with your Dermatologist for ointments, creams, or lotions
