Pediatric Allergies & Immunology Conditions We Treat

An allergy is a reaction from your body's immune system to something that should be harmless.

The board-certified pediatric allergists at our Lung Center can test your child for allergies by performing a blood test. Pinpointing what your child is allergic to is the first step to creating an effective treatment plan.

What Causes Allergies in Children?

Medications, pollen and certain foods are just a few things that can cause an allergic reaction. 

Environmental Allergies

Pediatric allergies can be caused by a variety of things found either indoors or outdoors. 

The most common environmental allergens include:

• Animal dander
• Dust
• Mold
• Mountain cedar
• Oak
• Pollen

These allergens can cause symptoms in your child including:

• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Watery eyes
• Sinus infections

To treat environmental allergies you can: 

• Use nasal sprays, which reduce swelling
• Use a saline nasal rinse
• Take oral antihistamines
• Get allergy shots

Food and Drug Allergies

Children with food and drug allergies have an immune system that fights the specific food or drug product because it thinks the product is harmful to the body.

The most common food allergens include peanuts, eggs and cow’s milk.

How Do I Know if My Child Has a Food or Drug Allergy?

The most common signs of food or drug allergies and anaphylaxis in children include:

• Difficulty breathing, wheezing
• Redness or swelling of the face
• Stomach pain or diarrhea
• Vomiting or reflux
• Hives

Managing Your Child’s Allergies

Bring a list of foods that caused your child to have a reaction, including the type of reactions that occur, to your appointment. 

Depending on the severity of the allergy, your child may outgrow it. We will recommend a treatment path for your child based on their specific allergies. 

Your child’s doctor will prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector for you to carry in case your child ever has a severe allergic reaction. Additionally, a dietitian will develop a special diet for your child to avoid known allergens.

• Drug desensitization
• Food challenges
• Immune globulin replacement therapy (IVIG, SCIG)

Our team, led by nationally recognized UT Health San Antonio physicians Dr. Anthony J. Infante and Dr. Edward G. Brooks, has more than 50 years of collective clinical experience. Their contributions to basic and clinical research in pediatric disorders of the immune system have been cited worldwide.