Your Care Instructions
Allergies occur when the body's defence system (immune system) overreacts to certain substances. The immune system treats a harmless substance as if it is a harmful germ or virus. Many things can cause this overreaction, including pollens, medicine, food, dust, animal dander, and mould.
Allergies can be mild or severe. Mild allergies can be managed with home treatment. But medicine may be needed to prevent problems.
Managing your child's allergies is an important part of helping your child stay healthy. Your doctor may suggest that your child get allergy testing to help find out what is causing the allergies. When you know what things trigger your child's symptoms, you can help your child avoid them. This can prevent allergy symptoms, asthma, and other health problems.
For severe allergies that cause reactions that affect your child's whole body (anaphylactic reactions), your child's doctor may prescribe a shot of epinephrine for you and your child to carry in case your child has a severe reaction. Learn how to give your child the shot, and keep it with you at all times. Make sure it is not expired. If your child is old enough, teach him or her how to give the shot.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
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