Your child's health - allergies - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Kristin Ullom makes regular trips with her children to the doctor's office. For several years, her son Jacob has been dealing with allergies when he goes outside.

Kristin Ullom recounted, "We noticed in Jacob that he would get very, very irritated red eyes."

"My eyes would be as itchy as they ever could be," said Jacob Ullom, who also said his asthma would kick in when he was playing sports, "and make it even worse."

At the Office of Dr. Mark Holbreich, children are tested for food allergies and environmental allergies.  Dr. Holbreich said, "With food allergies, the most common early signs are eating the food and getting an obvious allergic reaction, or immediately the child gets hives, or vomits or is having itchy red skin."

And that can happen as early as 4-6 months of age.

Environmental allergies - cats, dogs and pollens, for example - usually develop in the pre-school years, "And they're consistent with sneezing, runny noses and itchy eyes," said Holbreich.

Jacob now undergoes regular shots that turn off his immune system to exposure. He says he can feel the difference, and his mother is relieved the treatment is softening his allergies and asthma.

Kristin Ullom said, "As a mom, my stress level has decreased dramatically. To have a child who you are constantly, you know, during the night, standing by his bedside, listening and counting his breaths.  I can't tell you what a difference it's made."

While environmental allergies are not life threatening, treatment makes a child more comfortable.

Peanut allergies can be serious. And doctors say while milk and egg allergies fade, a peanut allergy tends to last into adulthood.

Wednesday morning on Your Child's Health, how to spot the signs of sleep apnea.