Allergies
Reactions such as sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, runny nose, hives, rashes, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps after exposure to certain substances may be a sign of an allergic reaction. If you suspect your child has an allergy, it is important to see Khan as soon as possible. He will be able to conduct tests in order to diagnose the problem. Once the child's allergy is diagnosed, Dr Khan will help manage the allergic reactions with allergy medications and advise on which allergens to avoid.
Types of allergies
Dr Khan will help diagnose and treat the following allergies in children:
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Allergic rhinitis is a very common childhood ailment caused by allergies. Symptoms include an itchy and runny nose, sneezing, postnasal drip and nasal congestion. Children with allergies may also have watery, red and itchy eyes and reoccurring ear problems.
Nasal congestion associated with allergies
Allergies are frequently the cause of chronic nasal congestion in children. Sometimes a child’s nose is so congested that they breathe through the mouth, especially while sleeping. This can prevent a child from getting a good night's sleep. If the mouth-breathing and congestion are left untreated, they can affect the growth of teeth and the bones in the face. Early treatment of the allergies causing nasal congestion can help prevent these problems.
Food allergies
The most common allergies in children are milk and peanuts allergies. Other frequently seen triggers include eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat. Children typically have the most severe reactions to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish — all these allergies that can last a lifetime. Children often outgrow allergies to eggs, soya, milk and wheat. If you're a parent of a child who has a food allergy, you should be aware of the possibility of anaphylaxis — Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening reaction that impairs breathing, causes a drop in blood pressure and can send a body into shock. For this reason, most children with food allergies are prescribed epinephrine (adrenaline), administered with an auto-injector as soon as symptoms develop.