A pediatric allergy and immunology specialist is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases such as drug allergies, asthma in children, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), atopic dermatitis (eczema), food allergies, drug allergies, and bee allergy, as well as immunological conditions such as primary immune deficiencies, recurrent infections, autoinflammatory diseases, and immune system disorders. This specialty provides a comprehensive approach to ensure the proper functioning of the immune system in children and to control allergic reactions.

Allergy symptoms usually appear in infancy, especially with the introduction of complementary foods. However, in some children, allergic diseases may first appear during school age or adolescence.

Frequent recurrent infections, illnesses that do not resolve despite antibiotics, and growth retardation are among the most important signs of immune system weakness. In such cases, an evaluation by an immunology specialist is required.

Pediatric allergy tests are applied to measure the immune response to the substance causing the child’s allergy and are generally performed by two main methods: the skin prick test and a blood test (specific IgE test). In the prick test, allergen drops are placed on the child’s arm or back and pricked with an applicator to observe the reaction. In the blood test, the immune response to allergens is measured in the laboratory from the child’s blood sample. The specialist physician decides which test to perform according to the child’s age, clinical condition, and suspected allergy.

Children diagnosed with food allergy should completely avoid allergenic foods. The diet should be planned jointly by a pediatric allergy specialist and a dietitian, and nutritional deficiencies should be carefully monitored.

Continuous exposure to allergens increases asthma symptoms. Therefore, allergy control is of great importance to prevent exacerbations of asthma and improve the child’s quality of life.

Some primary immune deficiencies can be genetic. Therefore, if there are similar histories in the family, early diagnosis and genetic evaluation are of great importance for the child’s health.

Allergens such as dust, mold, and cigarette smoke should be reduced at home. Bedding should be washed frequently, carpets and plush toys should be minimized, and the house should be ventilated regularly.

Yes, most allergic children can be vaccinated safely. However, in special situations such as egg allergy, an evaluation by a pediatric allergy specialist should be made before vaccination. If necessary, the vaccine is administered under observation.

The duration of allergy treatment varies depending on the child’s age, the type of allergen, and the severity of the disease. Some treatments are short-term, while methods such as immunotherapy may last several years.

Adenoid hypertrophy, especially common in childhood, is a condition caused by excessive growth of the lymphoid tissue located behind the nose. This enlargement can lead to complaints such as nasal congestion, mouth breathing, snoring, sleep apnea, ear infections, and hearing loss. The treatment approach is planned individually, and non-surgical approaches provide comfort in the majority of patients.