Pediatric

Pediatric allergies may emerge as early as infancy, or as late as adolescence. Newborn babies typically do not suffer from allergies beginning at birth as newborns/infants experience minimal exposure to environmental and food allergens during their first months.

Testing

• Skin Prick Test: During this quick, easy, and virtually pain free test one of our allergy specialist doctors marks the patient’s arm in pen with an assortment of numbers that correspond to each sample allergen. A drop of each allergen is carefully placed next to its assigned number and a lancet is used to painlessly place the allergen just under the top layer of the patient’s skin. After 10-15 minutes, the skin is evaluated by one of our top rated allergy specialist doctors for any inflammation or itchiness (which indicates the patient may be allergic to the sampled allergen), the affected areas are measured, and anti-itch cream is applied to the tested skin. 
• Specific IgE (immunoglobulin-E) Blood Test: This method involves the extraction of a small amount of blood from a patient that may suffer from an allergy. The blood sample is sent to a lab to identify and measure the level of IgE antibodies that your child has to the presumed allergen. This immuno-diagnostic test allows our top notch team of board certified pediatric allergy specialist doctors to provide patients with a detailed overview of any detected antibodies that suggest your child may have a pediatric allergy. 
• Skin Patch Test: The skin patch test for pediatric allergies is recommended for infants and small children with a potential for a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to an allergen. This testing method is often employed for infants and small children, as their age groups are more likely to experience a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to an allergen. One of our top rated pediatric allergy specialist doctors applies an allergen beneath the patient’s top layer of skin under a “Finn chamber” (skin patches that protect the affected area from external elements). The patient’s skin is evaluated between 48-72 hours after application to determine the presence of any allergies.
• Food Challenge: This highly effective method (known as “the Gold Standard” of allergy diagnostic testing) involves a careful administration of the trigger food allergen directly to the patient. The patient is then closely monitored to determine if there is a reaction to the trigger food allergen. This helps determine whether a patient’s body is threatened by a particular food allergen. The food challenge is often utilized by our best in class team of pediatric specialist doctors in order to target a suspected food allergen, determine if a patient has outgrown a food allergy from which they previously experienced symptoms, or confirm a patient’s food allergy when previous allergy test results do not align. This method is always performed in a safe, closely monitored environment with highly qualified, board certified immunologists.
  Best For: Food Allergies, Peanut Allergies.
• Pulmonary Function Test (PFT): A pulmonary function test (also called a breathing test) may be performed if your child suffers from symptoms associated with inhalant allergies, specifically environmental allergies (indoor and outdoor) and allergic asthma. This noninvasive test measures the strength of the patient’s lungs. It helps determine how well a patient’s lungs are working and is typically performed for pediatric patients who struggle with respiratory symptoms associated with allergies. The patient is asked to let out a deep breath into the machine and the amount of air forcefully pushed out helps determine how healthy a patient’s lungs are, in addition to whether there is an obstruction of the airways or inflamed tissue in the lungs.Treatment

• Immunotherapy: This innovative treatment may be employed to treat most allergies (no matter the severity of symptoms). There are a variety of methods your child’s board certified pediatric allergy specialist doctor may employ: oral ingestion, injection, sublingual drops (placed under the tongue to dissolve). Immunotherapy aims to desensitize the immune system’s negative response to a particular allergen through gradual exposure over a period of time. Each method requires a different schedule for gradual exposure. Those who start immunotherapy during childhood tend to build up immunity to allergens more effectively.
• Antihistamines: Consists of over-the-counter or prescription medications taken by mouth. Your child’s top of the line board certified immunologist may recommend over-the-counter antihistamines as a first step to treating your condition or may prescribe your child stronger antihistamines depending on the severity of your condition. Antihistamines block a chemical created in the body called histamine (which creates allergy-associated symptoms). This medication reduces symptoms associated with pediatric allergies and provides instant and long-lasting relief (up to 24 hours depending on the brand). 
• Asthma Preventers: This type of treatment consists of inhaled steroid medication that helps prevent allergic asthma flare-ups. This inhaled steroid medication usually comes in the following colors: red, orange, brown, or purple. Preventers reduce any swelling or redness in the airways and dry up mucus to remove any blockage that could cause respiratory symptoms associated with allergic asthma. Commonly prescribed asthma preventers include Budesonide, Beclometasone, Mometasone, Ciclesonide, and Fluticasone. If your child suffers from allergic asthma, your child’s top rated asthma specialist doctor may prescribe your child an inhaled steroid medication as an asthma preventer. It is crucial that those who suffer from asthma carry both a preventer and reliever with them at all times. 
• Asthma Relievers: This treatment is utilized in the event that an asthmatic individual experiences an asthma attack or allergic asthma flare-up due to inhalant allergen exposure. An asthma reliever comes in the form of an inhaled steroid medication (like a preventer) but provides immediate relief by relaxing the airway muscles, so it is easier to breathe. A reliever should be carried with your child at all times, as it can save their life in the event of an unexpected allergic asthma attack. 
• Avoidance: Advise you on what ingredients to avoid and how to effectively evaluate food/product package labels.
• Nasal-Corticosteroid: It is an anti-inflammatory that provides immediate relief from nasal congestion and other symptoms associated with a sinus infection.
• Topical Anti-Itch Cream: The doctor may prescribe a steroid cream to reduce inflammation, itchiness, and general irritation at the sting site. 
• Auto-Injectable Epinephrine:  Those who suffer from severe allergic reactions to certain food must carry this device with them at all times in order to stay protected from unexpected exposure to a food allergen.
• Oral Decongestant: This medication comes in the form of a tablet and is widely available over the counter, though your child’s immunologist may prescribe stronger oral decongestants if necessary. 
• Montelukast: Also commonly known by its brand name, Singulair®, this prescription oral medication is an anti-inflammatory that helps reduce respiratory symptoms associated with allergies.respiratory symptoms.

The sooner you schedule an appointment, the sooner your child can experience relief!

 

Allergy & Asthma Center of Long Island
9 Center Drive, Roslyn, NY 11576
(516) 699-7790