Kids May Need to Visit an Arizona Allergy and Asthma Specialist More Often

According to Canadian daily newspaper The Province, there has been a 50 percent increase in the number of children and teenagers across the globe who have developed food allergies in the past 15 years. These days, 1 in 13 kids allegedly experiences allergic reactions to milk, eggs, wheat, and shellfish. Additionally, it has also been discovered that about 30 percent of children with food allergies are allergic to more than one type of food.

Food allergies are some of the common conditions Arizona allergy and asthma treatment centers like Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates P.C. typically handle. These experts recognize that the wrong food preparation techniques are a key factor behind the increase in food allergies among kids. For instance, it was recently discovered that when diluted with emulsifiers, protein-rich food products such as peanut butter can appear foreign to the human immune system and may, thus, trigger allergic reactions.

It should be noted that the treatment of allergies differs from person to person, since some food allergies (like allergy to milk) gradually disappear, while others (such as allergies linked to gluten-rich foods) tend to stick around for far longer. The latter is especially true in some hypersensitive children who were raised in excessively hygienic environments and were less exposed to pathogens. Scientists are convinced that deliberately protecting one’s child from any and all forms of contaminants reduces the child’s ability to develop antibodies that can combat disease in the future.

When it comes to fighting food allergies, parents should also teach their children how to read food labels and nutritional facts. Epinephrine injectors, also known as EpiPens, are likewise considered must-haves since these devices temporarily suppress allergic reactions and prevent fatal anaphylactic shock. Meanwhile, allergy-prone individuals in Arizona can consider going to reputable practices like Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates P.C. for quick and lasting relief from nasty Arizona allergies.

A licensed allergist can accurately identify possible allergy triggers and determine the necessary course of action before disaster strikes. In fact, it is even recommended that children should go see an allergist immediately upon experiencing allergic reactions (i.e. hives and flushed skin) so that certain tests can be conducted. A skin test, which involves planting a food extract onto the skin, usually suffices for detecting food allergies in children, although a blood test is considered more thorough (albeit frightening for most kids).

In the meantime, parents and children alike must be more mindful about what they eat, now more than ever. With the odds of developing an allergy pegged at 1 out of 20, it’s shouldn’t come as a surprise if today’s mouthwatering meal may soon lead to an appointment with a doctor.