Mucus, a gelatinous fluid secreted by the membranes around important organs acts as a very good frontline defense for bacteria. In case of the nasal cavities, mucus prevents irritants in the air, pollutants and dangerous microbes like bacteria and fungi from entering into the system and going to the lungs where they could be devastating. Mucus and the cilia which are nothing more than projections in the nasal lining that constantly move pushing out the mucus, protect the body from entry of microbial organisms that can prove harmful.

Sinusitis mucus often leads to situations where either the mucus discharge is too thick making it difficult to flow, or the cilia become immobile thus not helping push the mucus discharge towards the throat. The buildup of this mucus is what causes most of the symptoms of sinusitis and further aggravates the condition.

Mucus can be secreted in many different colors depending on the cause and the situation. Clear mucus is part of a post nasal drip and causes a running nose by constantly dripping out from the back of the nose. Green mucus is relatively more dangerous as it signifies sinusitis in most of the cases. It is also relatively thicker leading to congestion, breathing difficulties and gradual ineffectiveness of cilia. Green mucus is most often due to a viral infection and the one way to treat this situation is by using homeopathy, ayurvedic and herbal remedies that enhance the immunity of the body thus affecting the root cause of the mucus.

Yellow colored mucus signifies the internal struggle of the immunity system against the bacterial infection. Mucus usually turns yellow from green indicating that the stagnated thick mucus has been infected with bacteria. This is a cause of concern as it affects the body in various ways like loss of smell, swelling of the linings and headaches, increased pressure on the nasal cavities and eventual chances of eyeball and brain cavities to be infected. Brown colored mucus is potentially the sign of sinusitis in heavy smokers. The tobacco smoke hurts the internal mucus linings and in some cases erodes it thus reducing the functionality. It is characterized by a nasal discharge that produces a burning sensation, and constant throbbing pain in the delicate bones of the nasal cavity.

Brown mucus discharge could also be due to bleeding. Blood streaked mucus is generally because of rupture of blood vessels in the nasal passage due to extreme dryness or the excess pressure caused by frequent blowing of nose. Consuming alcohol, chocolates and garlic also cause a brownish mucus discharge that may or may not have blood in it. White mucus is often seen when excess mucus discharge causes vomiting. White mucus is also formed due to dairy products especially milk. High pressure in the nose along with sharp pain in the sinus cavities are the other symptoms.

Whatever is the mucus color, excess dripping or inability of the nose to make the mucus flow indicate abnormal conditions where the body is affected by sinusitis. The defense of the body against infection in such cases is weakened further paving way for bacteria and fungi to attack. Hence one should treat sinusitis as soon as possible and avoid stagnation of mucus. Warm tea aroma or steam vapors are effective in improving the fluidity of the mucus and preventing it from settling down in the nose.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_J_Bradley

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As early as the 1930′s it was theorized that constant or repeated exposure to an allergen put exhaustive stress on the body, including the immune system. Ultimately this exposure has a negative effect on the body’s defenses and leaves it open to illness and other medical complications. In addition, these allergens can have a degenerative effect on energy levels which results in chronic fatigue and other more serious health problems. Under the Allergic Tension-Fatigue Syndrome theory if you remove the allergen you will relieve the not only the allergy symptoms but also the underlying medical conditions caused by the drain on energy levels.

While there can always be many potential causes for various illnesses or conditions, one of those causes may be undetected allergies. One of the most common causes for fatigue problems is allergies yet awareness of them may remain hidden for years. Removing the allergen may sound like a simple solution but what if you can’t get away from the allergens? What if you can’t even identify them?

To most people an allergic reaction implies you have breathed, eaten, or touched something that causes your body to sneeze, cough, itch, swell, make your eyes water and/or your nose run. But allergies can also be the root cause for a wide range of ailments including but not limited to:

>Gastrointestinal ailments such as indigestion, constipation, ulcers, etc.

>Headaches & migraines

>Backaches

>Arthritis, joint pain, restless leg syndrome, etc.

>Brain symptoms such as brain fog, depression & attention-deficit disorders

>Skin problems including rashes, boils, slow healing wounds, etc.

>Heart irregularities

Modern life assaults our bodies from without as well as within. We are exposed to chemicals in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.

Consider this. At the turn of the century bread making required only whole grains, water, butter, baker’s yeast, and a little sweetener to help the yeast rise. Today a modern loaf of bread may contain more than 100 different ingredients, including preservatives, coloring agents, insecticides, pesticides, and fungicides, as well as chemical residue from various packaging and cleaning procedures. These can sensitize an immune system and cause us to react negatively to many other substances.

Our bodies are still biologically programmed to reside in a much simpler environment. Is it any wonder that the number of people complaining of allergic reactions has increased dramatically? At the same time traditional Western style medical schools and journals are broadening their definitions of allergies and recognizing that the immune system, when under a perceived attack, will respond in many different ways leading to the ailments mentioned above.

In the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sept. 19, 2002 there was an article about findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine that counter decades of conventional thought regarding dust and allergies. Where it was always thought that dust causes allergies and therefore should be avoided, a European study has shown that household dust actually helps protect children from developing hay fever or asthma. The same has been found for children exposed to pets at an early age.

Conventional diagnosis has been to expose the body to small, concentrated doses of potential allergens by injecting the substance under the skin. The areas that show swelling and itching indicate an allergic reaction. Treatment usually consists of a long series of “allergy shots” over an extended period of time. Each shot contains minute amounts of the allergen and the theory is that the body will slowly build up a resistance.

Just as conventional thoughts about the cause and effects of allergies are being challenged and changed, so are treatments for allergies. Today there are several non-invasive, drug and needle free options for diagnosing and treating allergies that have provided relief for 10s of 1,000′s of people. These techniques typically use a type of bio feedback mechanism to identify the allergen and then, in very simple, general terms, use a form of pressure point and breathing to reset the body so it does not react to the allergen. The most well known of these is NAET but there are numerous other non-invasive methods available.

If you suffer with chronic fatigue without a known cause you may want to explore the possibility that you are suffering from Allergic Tension-Fatigue Syndrome and work to discover whether or not you have “hidden” allergies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Raymond_Alexander

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A corn allergy can often go undetected in the United States due to its high prevalence in processed foods. Corn, in some form or another, can also be found in almost every fast food item. In addition to that, corn allergy symptoms vary widely from person to person. While some need only smell popcorn to have a severe reaction, others are somewhat more tolerant and have less severe reaction which is difficult to connect to corn.

The best way to know if you are allergic to corn is to get an allergy test done by a qualified allergist. Barring that, keeping a food diary can be very helpful in checking and cross checking which foods were found to be offensive. But what symptoms are associated with a corn allergy?

Those who suffer with a corn allergy, in its severe form, might go into anaphylactic shock. Most people with this severe allergy to corn know what they are allergic to. However, many suffer their entire lives with symptoms that range from obesity to inflammation to sinus congestion.

Inflammation is one of the most common symptoms. A corn allergy sufferer may not even realize they are swollen because they have gotten used to it. If you wake up tired, have difficulty getting on your knees, think you may have arthritis, notice ankle swelling or overall achy body, you may actually be allergic to corn. If not corn, you may be suffering from some other allergy and it would be prudent to visit an allergist to know for sure.

Most corn allergy sufferers are exhausted and as they age, it usually gets worse. They feel better before they ate than after. Usually, they have trouble making it through the day and around late afternoon, have nearly had it. Many who have corn allergies have been diagnosed with other illnesses. The exhaustion is so terrible sometimes, that after having been exposed to corn, the only thing a corn allergy sufferer can do is sleep it off.

Abdominal troubles are extremely common among those with corn allergies. Some have been misdiagnosed with IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or other bowel related sicknesses. Your doctor may have told you that you need more fiber. After you eat, your stomach becomes severely bloated. You may experience excessive burping or gas. In extreme times, you may have been to the ER with vomiting or you have experienced what some doctors refer to as “blow outs” where you struggle with alternating constipation then the sudden diarrhea.

Chronic sinus problems are a telltale sign that you may be suffering from a food allergy. My own son suffered for years with shiners, tired eyes, stuffy and runny nose as well as post nasal drip. All of those symptoms were related to corn. He had trouble breathing and even bouts with sleep apnea as a small child.

Pre-diabetic and insulin resistance symptoms can actually be corn allergies. A few times, after nearly passing out after eating, I had wondered if I were becoming diabetic. I had all the symptoms of a pre-diabetic, of someone who was insulin resistant. I even took medication for hypothyroidism. These, of all the symptoms, were by far the scariest. I felt dizzy, in a fog, and cold most of the time. I couldn’t garden or exercise as I was afraid I would start to get the shakes. Something was clearly wrong.

As we whittled away at high fructose corn syrup, corn starch, monosodium glutamate, dextrose and eventually switched to sea salt, our corn allergy symptoms began to disappear. My son and I both experienced a rebirth of sorts. My son’s nose is clear and his shiners are gone. I planted two trees without passing out. My ankle swelling is nearly gone and we both lost a significant amount of weight without dieting. It’s simply a miracle that we figured out the connection between corn and our symptoms. Now, we are on the road to recovery and the quality of our lives is absolutely one thousand percent better.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimberly_Arslan

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Sinus infections don’t just form on their own; normal sinuses do not present the right conditions for a sinus infection, or sinusitis, to develop.  A progression of factors has to occur first.

Road To Sinus Infection In Children—Blockage

Normally functioning sinuses can clear mucus and congestion on their own, and so sinus infections do not have the opportunity to develop.  Often children with allergies can continue to clear nasal congestion and will not experience a sinus infection.

When the sinuses become blocked, however, mucus builds up and creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and viruses—a moist, warm, enclosed space with a medium for growth.

There are a few ways that allergies can cause sinus blockages that result in sinus infections.

• Continuous production of mucus in large amounts is too much for the child’s drainage system to handle, so mucus causes congestion that backs up into or remains in the sinus cavities.
• Dry, crusted mucus blocks the exits of the sinus drains
• Swelling and inflammation narrow sinus drainage points

Road To Sinus Infection In Children—Inflammation

Inflammation is considered a symptom of sinus infection in children.  It can either cause the infection if a cold or allergy irritates nasal and sinus linings, or it can result from a sinus infection after pathogens have set in.  In either case, inflammation exacerbates drainage problems and creates a better environment for bacterial, viral, and fungal growth.

Road To Sinus Infection In Children—Aggravators

Certain factors aggravate nasal allergy symptoms and sinuses, and can make sinuses more receptive to infection.  The presence of any of the following puts a child at a chance of developing infected sinuses.

• Asthma
• Deviations of the septum
• Cigarette smoke
• Immune problems
• Ear infections
• Gastro esophageal Reflux
• Swimming
• Cystic fibrosis
• Dry air

Linking Allergies And Sinus Infections In Children

Sinus infections require some sort of primary condition in order to develop.  It may be a common cold or flu, but in many children the primary condition is an allergy that causes nasal congestion and nasal allergy symptoms.  If the primary condition can be prevented or controlled, a sinus infection can often be prevented.

Allergy prevention consists primarily of allergen avoidance, but there are some measures that can be taken during an allergy attack to prevent a sinus infection in children with allergies.

• Humidifying the air can keep mucus fluid and moving
• Decongestants help clear congestion
• Antihistamines can reduce swelling and inflammation and prevent drainage
• Nasal sprays and saline flushes can help move out mucus congestion

If allergies and sinus infections in children are related, it is worth knowing so that these preventative measures can be taken; preventing a bacterial sinus infection means a child will not have to rely as heavily on antibiotics, which also helps reduce instances of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (and that’s good for everybody).

Preventing sinus infections also reduces the likelihood of an acute sinus infection becoming a chronic condition that might require heavy medication or may cause serious nasal or sinus and bone damage which requires surgery.

All the links between allergies and sinus infections in children do not focus on the infection; sinus infections can also serve as a symptom for child allergies.  A child that repeatedly suffers from sinus infections may have undiagnosed allergies.  When a child experiences many sinus infections the possibility of allergies as the cause should be explored with the help of the child’s primary care doctor.

Neither allergies nor sinus infections are conditions that are clear-cut all of the time; in both cases, the condition itself must be managed along with secondary and exacerbating conditions.  Often, the best health management of allergies and sinus infections in children is a matter of finding the link between the two, so that both conditions can be controlled through allergy control measures.

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Why A Child Peanut Allergy Is A Concern

Child peanut allergies are of particular concern for four main reasons:

• Child peanut allergies cause life-threatening reactions in many cases
• Children with child peanut allergies may be extremely sensitive to peanuts and peanut products—some children cannot even be near peanuts or products
• Peanuts, peanut oils, and peanut products are found in many foods, and cross-contamination increases the possibility of peanut-causing allergens in others
• Child peanut allergies are not usually outgrown

Anaphylaxis is an uncommon allergy symptom for most food allergies, but it is much more common in the case of a child peanut allergy, accounting for 80% of anaphylactic reactions.

Signs And Symptoms Of A Child Peanut Allergy

The signs and symptoms of a child peanut allergy can come on very suddenly and severely, without warning.  It is not unusual for a child’s first taste of a peanut to cause their first known reaction from a child peanut allergy.

Early signs that a child might be experiencing a reaction resulting from a child peanut allergy include

• Runny nose
• Skin rash or hives
• Tingling of the tongue
• Itchy mouth or throat

These symptoms can quickly progress into much more dangerous peanut allergy symptoms and anaphylactic shock.  Any time any of the following symptoms are observed, the child needs to seek medical emergency help immediately.  Threatening symptoms of a child peanut allergy may be

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swelling of the mouth, lips, or throat
• Body swelling
• Drop in blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion

Still other symptoms may result from a child peanut allergy, including

• Hoarse/raspy voice
• Nausea or stomach upset
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Diarrhea
• Feeling of being light-headed

Tips For Parents Of Children With Child Peanut Allergies

Any time a child peanut allergy is suspected, it should be discussed with the child’s pediatrician or family doctor immediately.  A diagnosis can be confirmed and a plan of action, which will include strict avoidance of peanuts and peanut products, will be devised.  Armed with this plan, and the following tips for managing life with a child peanut allergy, parents and caregivers can give the child the best chance at avoiding potentially dangerous reactions.

• Learn how to read food labels and look for possible cross-contamination.
• Thoroughly read every food label
• Keep injectable epinephrine with your child everywhere they go—including at school, sports, and activities, at home, and in the car
• Carry antihistamine with the child
• Avoid fried foods in restaurants, as they are often cooked in peanut oils
• Don’t allow your child to eat anything with unknown ingredients
• Be vocal about your child’s peanut allergy and make sure all teachers, family members, friends, and family know not only how the child should eat, but also what to do in case of an accidental ingestion or reaction
• Develop an emergency plan in case of reaction and help your child memorize it
• Teach your child that it is not safe for them to accept food from others unless you give the okay
• Pack food for your child to eat at friends’ houses and birthday parties
• Encourage frequent hand-washing
• Pack a list of especially dangerous foods for your child to keep with him/her
• Help your child learn the signs of a reaction and get help as needed
• Do not allow yourself or your child to become relaxed about his or her child peanut allergy

To be sure, life with a child peanut allergy can be a scary thing; but when care is taken to properly manage the diet of a peanut-allergic child, and when a clear plan is laid out for emergency procedures in the event of an accidental peanut ingestion, life with a child peanut allergy is much less threatening.

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• Outdoors
• Inside
• In school
• In the home
• Anywhere the child spends time

That’s a lot of area to cover.  But when child environmental allergy symptoms are present, each of those areas may need to be examined as harboring the allergens causing the reaction.  It could be that all of those places harbor allergens harmful to the child.

While some descriptions of child environmental allergies are broadened to include pollen and seasonal outdoor allergies like hay fever, here the focus is on more chemical, pollutant, and artificial allergens found in the child’s environment (be it home, school, or geographical).  These are the substances that are being closely researched as child allergy and illness numbers increase—asthma has grown by more than 200% over the past two decades.

Many professionals do not characterize a lot of chemical and environmental child sensitivities as allergies; like food intolerances, many just do not fit the narrow definition of an allergy resulting from the production of the immune antibody immunoglobulin E, or IgE.  There are a few names that child environmental allergy symptoms and reactions might be called; these include child environmental illness, sick building syndrome, chemical sensitivity, chemical intolerance, multiple chemical sensitivity, and others.

Semantics aside, if you are a parent with a child who is suffering some unknown reaction, you’re going to want answers, and you’re going to want to know what to eliminate to stop adverse reactions and environmental allergy symptoms in your child.  Whether you call it a sensitivity, an illness, or an allergy, the first step toward relief is identifying the symptoms so that you and your child’s doctor can develop a plan to manage them.

Environmental allergy symptoms in kids can look exactly like an allergy of a more typical variety.   Child environmental allergy symptoms may include one or more of the following:

• Congestion
• Stuffy nose
• Sinus pressure
• Itchiness
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Skin rash
• Hives

Very commonly, child environmental allergy symptoms involve breathing problems such as asthma and systemic reactions, including eczema.  But a number of other, less common child environmental allergy symptoms may be present as well.  Other conditions that might be present and attributable to child environmental allergies include:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Light headedness or faintness
• Confusion
• Trouble concentrating
• Sore, irritated throat
• Difficulty with memory
• Muscle or joint pain
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Mood changes

When any of these symptoms are present parents and doctors need to search for the cause.  Often, the search will start by eliminating the most obvious and most likely common child allergies first.

In addition, the search will need to focus on where the reactions are starting; this can be difficult if child environmental allergy symptoms are present most of the time, or if more than one location appears to bring on a reaction.  The possibility of an inhalant or other allergen staying in the child’s system or a common factor between locations needs to be explored.

The search for an uncommon allergy is never an easy one.  It is almost always a long process to find the cause of child environmental allergy symptoms, a process that takes time and dedication.  It’s a process parents of affected children have no problem committing to, and the payoff comes when the allergen is found, and when a management plan can be devised to reduce exposure to tolerable levels.  As more and more comes to be understood about the increasing problem of child environmental allergy, it is a process that will hopefully become far easier.

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Keep Kids Allergy Free—Start Early

The immune system is developed during the childhood years.  The process is not entirely understood, but apparently it is during this time of development—from pre-birth through grade school—when the immune system will begin to recognize harmless substances as invaders that in the future will become allergens.

Pregnancy is a time when an expectant mother should begin to think about allergen exposure, particularly if there is a family history of allergies (children of parents with allergies are more likely to develop allergies).  There isn’t a lot to be done at this point, and research suggests that most allergies will not develop because of foods a mother eats during pregnancy, but peanut allergies and smoke are likely exceptions.  Mothers who are committed to keeping their kids allergy free should avoid these things (smoking entirely, peanuts perhaps in small amounts).

The truly critical time is infanthood.  The period of the first year is when many children’s sensitivities get their start.  This is why pediatricians have taken a strong stance to limit exposure, especially to common food allergens such as milk, eggs, and peanuts.  It is believed that holding off on these foods until the immune system is better developed will give the child the chance to accurately recognize potential food allergens as safe.  Breastfeeding is the best defense against child allergies, but some foods, such as peanuts, can pass through breast milk.  Mothers of children with a family history of food allergies to wheat, milk, eggs, soy, fish, and shellfish are best off cutting out these foods as well.

Allergies develop with repeated exposure to allergens in most cases.  That means child allergies to any substance can develop at any time during the maturation of the immune system.  Limiting exposure to allergens—without completely avoiding them—can stave off allergies until the immune system is well developed enough to handle them.

Keeping Kids Allergy Free—Is There Such A Thing As Too Clean?

It seems logical that since most allergies develop after repeated exposure to an allergen, living in a sterile environment should mean no allergies—right?  Unfortunately, no.

Research points to a balanced approach to housekeeping in the fight to keep kids allergy free.  Children from extremely clean homes do not fare better than kids from less-kempt houses; studies suggest the opposite, in fact.  Homes with cats and dogs or other pets in residence tend to produce children with fewer allergies.  It seems that children who have never let their immune systems experience allergens set themselves up for surprise allergies when eventually an allergen is encountered in later life.

But the fact remains that excess amounts of allergens cause reaction in children with allergies, and so good home maintenance is still recommended.

Keeping Kids Allergy Free After Exposure

For many children and parents the time has well-passed to take the measures in early infancy and early childhood that can make or break an allergy.  Sometimes even the best of intentions at home have limited effect, because exposure to allergens cannot be entirely controlled; visits to other locations, time in schools and daycares, and experience with airborne seasonal allergens all leave their mark.

When a child allergy does develop, there are still some measures that can be taken to keep kids allergy free.  Keeping kids allergy free after allergy development is a matter of limiting exposure to allergens so that immune antibodies do not build up to the point of reaction.  To keep kids allergy free when allergies already exist, a good cleaning regimen, coupled with individual plans for allergy treatment and management, is the best defense.

It would be nice if there was a simple, black-and-white answer to the question of whether it is possible to keep kids allergy free; maybe in the future there will be, but for now, what parents are left with is a collection of some very good medical research and studies, and the chance to formulate their own best plan for allergy free kids given their family’s predisposition and aggravating child allergy factors.

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Sinusitis Defined

Sinusitis in children is what is commonly referred to as a sinus infection.  Sinusitis in children is the inflammation of the sinuses—the moist air cavities in between the facial bones surrounding the nose.  These cavities are lined with mucus membranes the same as the mouth and nose.  The inflammation is the result of infection in trapped mucus in the sinus cavities.

What Causes Sinusitis In Children?

Normally functioning, normally draining sinuses do not usually succumb to the infections that cause sinusitis in children.  In most cases, there needs to be a primary condition that causes sinuses to be blocked.

Anything that causes increased mucus production has the potential to lead to sinusitis. The catalyst may be a cold or allergy.  A typical scenario for a child suffering from child allergies is as follows:

• Child allergies cause the nasal passages to swell
• Nasal passages begin to produce large amounts of mucus
• The sinus tissues take the lead of the nasal passages and also increase mucus production
• Excessive amounts of mucus cannot be properly drained, and/or dry, crusted mucus blocks drainage points from the sinuses
• Trapped mucus in the sinuses creates a prime environment for the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses
• Pathogens proliferate and result in a sinus infection with sinus inflammation—sinusitis

Sometimes, acute sinusitis in children (one-time infection as described above) becomes chronic sinusitis in children and a virtually constant sinus infection is present.  When symptoms of sinusitis are very long lasting (as in, infection seems to recur frequently or last for three months or more), it is wise to discuss the possibility of sinusitis in children with the child’s primary care physician.

What Are The Symptoms Of Sinusitis In Children?

Sinusitis in children can be difficult to diagnose unless close attention has been paid to the child’s sinus symptoms.  Sinusitis is also difficult to diagnose in children because many symptoms are the same as those for nasal allergies and the common cold.

Symptoms of sinusitis in children include:

• Cold-like symptoms
• Stuffy nose
• Thick, yellow-green mucus/nasal discharge
• Runny nose
• Fever (usually low grade in young children and higher in kids over 6 or 7)
• Dry, daytime cough lasting longer than 1 week
• Congestion
• Jaw pain
• Ear pain
• Tenderness in the face

Headaches are not usually a sign of sinusitis in young children since the sinus cavities in the forehead do not develop until late in childhood.  Sinus headache may be a symptom in teenagers, as well as stomach upset/nausea, and pain in back of the eyes.

What Can Help Prevent And Relieve Sinusitis In Children?

Once bacterial sinusitis sets in, it often takes a course of oral antibiotics to clear it.  Chronic sinusitis in children requires a longer-lasting and more potent treatment with antibiotics, which is important so that the sinuses do not become damaged permanently.  Oral antibiotics cannot help a viral case of sinusitis in children, so the infection will have to be left to run its course and management will focus on relief of the symptoms of sinusitis in children.

Symptom relief makes life more manageable for children with viral sinusitis, and is also helpful for children with bacterial sinusitis.

• Oral decongestants help clear excess mucus from the sinuses
• Humidifiers soften mucus so they can clear faster
• Frequent, gentle nose-blowing keeps mucus moving
• Good hydration keeps sinuses soft and flowing
• Child-strength pain relievers minimize discomfort of sinus pain and fever
• Warm compresses relieve sinus pressure and pain

Clear sinuses are the key to preventing sinusitis in children.  For children with allergies, prevention of sinusitis in children means avoiding known nasal allergy triggers and taking steps to clear congestion to the extent possible.

Good allergy management greatly reduces the precipitating conditions that lead to sinusitis in children.  Sinusitis in children is another good reason to get children’s allergy symptoms under control.

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What Is A Children’s Immunologist?

A children’s immunologist, also called a children’s allergist or children’s allergist-immunologist, is a doctor who has gone above and beyond the training and education of a general family doctor or general pediatrician to specialize in allergies and related immune disorders.  It is the job of the children’s immunologist, or pediatric immunologist, to research the child’s history, identify allergens as specifically as possible, and devise the most appropriate course of treatment for the individual child.

The education of a children’s immunologist starts out the same as a general practitioner.

• First, the children’s immunologist attends four years of pre-medical education (college)
• After a four-year degree is achieved, four years of medical school follows
• During the residency period, the pediatric immunologist works with a pediatrician for 3 years of pediatric primary care
• Following a pediatric residency, the pediatric immunologist attends two or three more years of education which is devoted to the study of allergies, immunology, and asthma.

What Health Issues Can A Children’s Immunologist Treat?

Pediatric or children’s immunologists treat children from birth up to age eighteen.  They are experts in the field of pediatric allergies, asthma, and immune disorders.

In the treatment of allergies, a pediatric immunologist is a child’s most skilled resource for diagnosis and treatment.  It is the job of the children’s immunologist to perform allergy testing and prescribe medications and alternative treatments for children with allergies.  It is also the job of the children’s immunologist to educate the child and parent and to guide them through living allergy-free.  Children’s immunologists treat conditions such as

• Seasonal allergies and hay fever
• Skin allergies
• Environmental allergies and chemical allergies
• Food allergies and intolerances
• Insect allergies

In addition to treating allergies, children’s immunologists also treat associated disease and disorders, including

• Chronic sinus infections and inflammations (sinusitis)
• Abscesses
• Thrush
• Hives
• Eczema
• Disorders which lead to any of the above
• Asthma

A number of other immune disorders and diseases fall under the expertise of a children’s immunologist.  A children’s immunologist may also be consulted when a child’s immune system is compromised due to disease or treatment (such as transplant or cancer).

What If I Can’t Find A Children’s Immunologist Near Me?

When available locally, a children’s immunologist is your best choice for the treatment of children’s allergies.  Children’s immunologists can be found at teaching hospitals, university hospitals and medical schools, in private practices, and in large community hospitals.  A children’s immunologist not only has the most expertise and current knowledge in allergy treatment and diagnosis, but a children’s immunologist also is skilled in communicating with children and parents and diagnosing children with limited or no communication skills; a children’s immunologist is patient and is prepared for dealing with small, possibly uncooperative children in the course of care and treatment.

Access to children’s immunologists is somewhat limited, though, because not all allergists specialize in treating children’s allergies.  When a children’s immunologist is not readily available, an allergist certified in family or internal medicine is still an excellent choice; these doctors are still experts in the field of allergies and immunology, just not specialized towards children-only.  The key is to find an allergist who has experience treating children and adults, and has the skill and patience to deal with younger patients.

When you need a children’s immunologist, your child’s primary doctor is a good referral resource; most often, primary care pediatricians refer to one or more trusted professionals whom they have consulted with in the past.  Parents of children with allergies are also good sources for referrals for children’s immunologists.

A children’s immunologist is the best resource for diagnosis and treatment of children’s allergies and related conditions.  For more than the basic diagnosis or treatment of child allergies, the help of a skilled, qualified children’s immunologist is needed.

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When To Look For Allergists For Children

Family physicians and general pediatricians are capable of providing very good allergy management for their young patients, but sometimes child allergies go beyond the scope of the expertise and experience of the general practitioner.  You may want to look for an allergist for your child when

• Allergies are poorly controlled
• You want to learn more about child allergy treatment alternatives
• Allergies are significantly impacting your child’s academic and social life and activities
• You and your child’s doctor are unable to identify allergy triggers
• Allergies are causing secondary health issues such as chronic infection or asthma
• Multiple allergies exist which require measured management plans
• You need more information regarding child allergies and control than your pediatrician/family physician can provide
• Your child needs allergy testing
• You are interested in allergy shots/immunotherapy  for your child
• Your child’s primary care doctor refers you.

The Benefits of Using Allergists For Children With Allergies

Allergists for children can provide all of the services mentioned above; there are a few other advantages to seeking the services of allergists for children.

• An allergist often has more time to spend with you and your child, and more time to spend thoroughly researching your child’s medical and allergy history
• Allergists are more familiar with the source and variety of allergens, and so can sometimes identify allergens more accurately
• An allergist has more time to provide parent and child education regarding living with allergies and child allergy prevention
• An allergist’s office is equipped to perform allergy testing, most on-the-spot
• An allergist is current on the most up-to-date allergy treatments and testing procedures, including advances in medications; allergists for children often know about better therapy and allergy treatment options before a general practitioner will

How To Look For Allergists For Children

Allergists for children are doctors who have specialized beyond pediatric or family medicine; after completing the 3-year internal medicine or pediatric residency, an allergist must complete an additional 2 years of study in allergy, asthma, and immunology.  Upon successful completion of the 2-year fellowship, allergists for children become Board-Certified by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Some allergists for children specialize their practice and become pediatric allergists; pediatric allergists are less abundant than general allergists who treat both children and adults with allergies, and most children will do very well under the care of a general allergist.  If there is not a pediatric allergist near you, start by seeing a recommended general allergist, and go to a pediatric allergist if the need presents.

Most importantly, you want to be sure your child’s allergist is board-certified, such as by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI).  This indicates that the doctor has successfully completed post-graduate immunological study.

Next, you’ll want to look for allergists with experience dealing with children—not only because they know children’s allergies well, but also because they know how to interact with child patients.  Of course, practical matters may weigh in your decision as well, such as what allergists for children accept your insurance plan.

If your child is being referred by his or her doctor, he or she will give you the name or names of allergists for children they generally send their patients to.  For more references, try speaking with parents of children you know with allergies.  You can also go to the websites of professional organizations like the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI).  Your health insurance provider is also a good resource for referrals, as they will only send you to allergists for children who are covered by your plan.

Choosing doctors for your child, such as allergists for children, is sure to be an issue of concern with you as you strive to get your child the best care possible for his or her allergies.  By using those resources available to you, and talking to your trusted family physician, you are sure to find a good allergist who can see to all your child allergy needs.

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