Childhood Allergies
There are many possible symptoms of allergies in children, including respiratory problems (from the nose to the chest), eye problems, skin problems, and bowel/intestinal problems. The weblinks below can provide you with authoritative and reliable information on the various forms of allergies in children. If you suspect your child has allergies, be sure to discuss it with his/her doctor!
ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES
- American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology
- American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
- American Academy of Pediatrics Allergy and Asthma Information
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, So. California section
- Keep Kids Healthy asthma page
FOOD ALLERGIES
- The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
- Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America
- Kids With Food Allergies
- Keep Kids Healthy Food Allergy page
ECZEMA (ATOPIC DERMATITIS)
Rady Childrens Hospital's "Eczema Center". This site has great handouts describing the best way to care for and treat eczema, but it has a "vitual learning center" page where you can watch videos demonstrating the proper use of medicated (cortisone) creams, bleach baths to prevent skin infections, and how to do "wet wraps" for more severe eczema.
The American Academy of Dermatology EczemaNet site
- The National Eczema Association
- Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America
- Keep Kids Healthy Eczema page
ANAPHYLAXIS (SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION)
If your child has a history of any severe reactions to foods, insect bites, or other allergy triggers, you may be advised to carry an epinephrine injector ("EpiPen") to provide treatment in the case of an emergency. The website below describes this EpiPen injector, and even has a video tutorial showing how to use the injector if needed. It also has eductional material about anaphylaxis. (The allergy websites listed above on this page also have information on anaphylaxis.)