Ask the pediatrician: How should parents handle allergies?
Manage your child’s allergies from home
The spring and fall seasons bring mild temperatures, but they also bring allergens to the Mid-South. When things are changing outside, allergies are in full force.
While allergies might not seem like a reason to visit the emergency department, pediatrician Dr. Sweeti Bhakta Jain noted she definitely sees patients for allergies during her shifts.
“Our patient population is such that the medical home is broken,” she said. “Many people use the ER as their primary care for various reasons. Sometimes, they can’t get an appointment with their regular pediatrician, or it’s hard for parents to take time off work to get to a scheduled appointment.”
When parents see red, itchy and watery eyes, it’s time to take action. Long-acting over-the-counter antihistamines, such as Zyrtec, Claritin or Allegra, are good choices. Jain recommends using a nasal steroid spray in conjunction with antihistamines, such as Flonase Sensimist. Nasal saline rinses also help.
“It’s not as harsh and is better tolerated by children,” she said.
More than anything else, Jain recommends finding ways to avoid the trigger — which often is easier said than done, especially when kids play outside during the school day.
Jain suggests parents get the allergen off the child as soon as possible. When your kids come inside, wash their face and hair, if possible. Otherwise, allergens will sit on your child’s skin and hair, causing further irritation. A change of clothes might help. For itchy and swollen eyes, a cool compress can help alleviate irritation.
Allergies or asthma?Allergies also can trigger asthma, so parents should be mindful of this. “If your child has eczema or any allergies, including food allergies, they have an increased risk of developing asthma,” said Jain. “If anyone in your immediate family has asthma, that also increases the risk.” Some asthma symptoms can be subtle. If your child is waking up with a cough at night, becoming short of breath or coughing with exercise, see a doctor to discuss asthma. If your child begins wheezing or has labored breathing, parents should call 911 or come to the emergency department. |
Dr. Sweeti Bhakta Jain has been a pediatrician for nine years. She is the medical director of the pediatric emergency department at the Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children’s hospital and serves as the department chair of pediatrics. Additionally, she sees patients in the emergency department for approximately 80 hours each month.
Dr. Jain also shared tips about concussions. Click the link to learn more.
About the Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children’s Hospital
Baptist Children’s Hospital features a 10-bed pediatric emergency room, a 12-bed combined pediatric intensive care/general inpatient unit and an outpatient services area. With 24-hour pediatric intensivist coverage, multiple pediatric specialties and access to a critical care transport team for neonatal, pediatric and maternity patients, the hospital is equipped to provide high-quality care for a wide variety of pediatric patients and issues. For more information about the hospital, click here.
The health care experience can be scary for children and their families. Baptist’s child life specialists offer medical play, free play, pre-operative teaching, procedure education, social interaction and other distractions or support to help minimize your child’s stress during medical procedures. Child life specialists are available in pediatric areas throughout the hospital, Monday through Friday. Click here to read about Baptist’s child life specialists.
