Allergens are common things, like certain foods, animals or bits in the air that can cause allergic reactions in some kids. Kids with allergies have immune systems that treat harmless things like threats. The immune response can lead to symptoms that range from mild to serious. 

Allergens can also trigger asthma symptoms or even cause an asthma attack. Common triggers include pet dander, dust mites, mold and pollen. When a child touches or breathes in one of their triggers, their airways can become irritated, and breathing may become harder. 

Common signs of environmental allergies include: 

• Sneezing or runny nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes

A food allergy typically presents with:

• Skin rashes or hives
• Swelling of the face, lips or throat
• Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
• Trouble breathing or wheezing
• Runny nose

Treatment will depend on the type of allergen that triggers your child’s asthma or allergies. At Children’s Wisconsin, we offer guidance and treatment for all conditions related to allergens.

Avoidance of Allergens

The best treatment is to avoid the allergens that are causing the problem. Depending on the cause, this may include:

• Avoiding certain foods
• Staying indoors and using air conditioning during pollen season
• Avoiding areas with heavy dust, mites and mold
• Avoiding pets

If your child has a food allergy, it’s important to avoid that food. We’ll help guide you on what to avoid, how to read food labels and finding safe substitutes. 

For mild to moderate skin reactions, wash the skin well with soap and water as soon as possible after exposure. Wash clothing and all objects that touched the allergen to prevent another reaction. Use a wet, cold compress to soothe and relieve inflammation, or if blisters break open. 

Medicines

Sometimes, your child’s doctor may prescribe or advise medicines to help with symptoms. These may include medicines that reduce:

• Itching, sneezing or a runny nose
• Swelling inside the nose
• Inflammation, swelling or itching of the skin

If your child has a serious allergic reaction, their doctor will likely treat them with an epinephrine shot. One common brand is an EpiPen. They may instruct you to always carry one with you for emergencies.

Allergy Shots

If avoiding allergens or medicine doesn’t work, your child’s doctor may suggest allergy shots or immunotherapy. These shots help the body build up a tolerance to allergens.

Oral Immunotherapy for Food Allergies

Children’s is proud to offer oral immunotherapy (OIT) as a treatment option for peanut allergy and for cashew allergy. This treatment is not a cure for peanut or cashew food allergy, but it can help protect patients from having a severe allergic reaction if their allergen is accidentally ingested.

Currently, the treatments are available at certain locations for children with a known diagnosis of peanut and/or cashew allergy who are between the ages of 1-17 years old. If you are interested in learning more about OIT, please call our team at (414) 266-6450, send a MyChart message or discuss with your child’s provider. 

Our allergy experts test and care for kids and adults who react to a wide range of allergens. 

Family-centered care: The Children's Wisconsin team is the only one of its kind. We offer care at our combined campus with Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. That means we diagnose and treat both adults and kids, which can be helpful for families. 

Advanced testing: Our Clinical Immunodiagnostic & Research Laboratory (CIRL) offers some of the most advanced testing in the country. As a result, we deliver quicker and better results for you and your kids. 

Specialized services: We provide unique programs and treatments for patients with complex conditions. These include our Primary Immunodeficiency Program, Asthma Plus Program, FARMS, EOE, OIT and Clinical Nutrition. 

Before

Before your child’s visit:

• We may ask you to fill out health forms.
• Prepare a list of symptoms and any medicines your child uses.
• If we need lab work ahead of time, we’ll let you know.

During

When you and your child meet with our care team:

• The doctor will ask about your child’s allergies and health.
• They will check your child’s skin, nose, eyes and breathing.
• They may do allergy tests, such as a skin test or blood test.
• The doctor will explain the results.
• You get guidance on how to help your child, like medicines or avoiding triggers.

After

After the visit:

• You’ll receive a summary of the visit, including any test results and follow-up care.
• We may schedule follow-up visits to check progress.
• Be sure to follow the doctor’s advice and care plan.
• You’ll get a plan for what to do if your child has a bad allergic reaction.