Needle-free Testing

The first step to ending allergies in your child is to find out exactly which allergens are causing your annoying and even debilitating symptoms.

How?

With allergy testing Happy Heart Pediatrics can perform a broad range test to see which allergens are causing allergic reactions in your child. The test is virtually pain-free and take 15 minutes to complete. It is the best and quickest method to identify what causes allergic reactions in your child.

Are you tired of your child suffering from:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose & itchy eyes
• Sore or itchy throat
• Red, itchy, or watery eyes
• Wheezing or coughing
• Chronic bronchitis
• Asthma
• Frequent ear infections
• Itchy skin, rash or hives
• Shortness of breath
• Frequent use of nasal spray

What are allergies?

Allergies are over-reactions by your immune system to “allergens” (such as dust, pollens, grass, molds, or animal dander). The reactions caused may affect your lungs, nose, skin, eyes, cardiovascular system, or gastro-intestinal tract.

Why test for allergies?

Testing allows your doctor to determine how likely it is that allergens play a role in your symptoms. Some conditions like non-allergic rhinitis, food allergy, infection or gastric reflux may

produce symptoms identical to hay fever and be difficult to distinguish without testing. Testing also identifies your specific allergen triggers, which is critical for serious allergy sufferers as

one of the keys to effective treatment is avoidance of those triggers. Testing is also the first step in formulating treatment therapy (immunotherapy) which is now being used in many

medical fields and is proving an effective long term method of overcoming your allergic disease.

What treatments are recommended?

Immunotherapy is a natural remedy for allergies. It desensitizes your body to allergens through regular administration of gradually increasing doses (either oral drops or shots) which induce tolerance to the allergens responsible for your symptoms. Your immune system will begin to “ignore” these allergens, making your life much easier all year round– especially during allergy season!

Is it safe for children?

Absolutely! Young children tolerate testing and treatment extremely well. This is the most effective path to a healthy future for children suffering from allergies.

How often should your child be re-tested?

After treatment begins, your child should be re-tested annually to help both you and your doctor monitor the improvements your child is making.

Types of Allergens

POLLENS

From trees, grass, weeds, and plants. The worst symptoms occur during pollinating

season. Pollen flies in the air and can attach to your clothes and your pet’s fur. Even with

frequent showers and vacuuming, tree pollen can cause trouble for allergy sufferers

DUST MITES

Dust mites float through the air, reproduce in carpeting and bedding, and cause year-round

problems for allergy sufferers. Vacuuming, dusting with a damp cloth, washing bedding

and changing pillows regularly can help, but dust mites are hard to avoid.

ANIMAL DANDER

It’s not actually animal hair that causes allergies, it’s a protein in their saliva. When animals clean themselves, the protein sticks to their fur which ends up sticking on clothes and furniture. Cockroaches also contribute to allergen particles around us from proteins in their saliva and feces becoming airborne.

MOLD

Causes allergy problems year round, especially in the wet seasons. Mold grows when airborne spores land on wet surfaces. Every room in your house with moisture is vulnerable. Water leaks can cause health problems if not fixed immediately.

FOOD

Foods provide the source for many common allergies. Food-induced allergic disorders may be first seen with a variety of symptoms affecting the skin, respiratory tract, gastro-intestinal tract, and/or cardiovascular system. Any food can trigger an allergic response.