What to Expect in a Pedia-allergologist visit?

[jojielyn]

^^sis lemonpeel sa allergo ni baby 1,5 lang pag complete pati food 3k. kaya lang she will try to figure out muna yung cause ng allergies bago niya ito gawin pag di niya nagamot tsaka lang siya nag papa skin test. Her clinic is at infant jesus and at chinese gen. HTH!

[leletmd]

san po ba un may murang allergy testing kasi sa iba 5-7t un charge?

5 to 7 k is the average price of a full panel allergen skin test in private clinics.
If you want relatively cheaper allergy skin testing, you can try the Allergy section at the Out Patient Department of UP PGH Medical Center. Government price ang skin test at PGH so the full panel is about half of the price of the test in private clinics. If you have an allergist already, you can request for a referral to PGH for the skin test. There are allergists naman who agree to refer their patients to PGH for the skin test and the patients just come back to the allergist with the skin test results.
Just be prepared for the long lines at PGH. They have Allergy clinic Monday to Friday am. Patients are accepted between 6 to 10 am.

[lemonpeel]

ok. thank you po!

[delisyus]

Hi, sis!
Actually, probiotics should be given early in life to be able to produce the effects of prevention. Both foreign and local studies have recommended the giving of probiotics to either the breastfeeding mom or the baby from the time of birth till 6 months old. In the study of Kalliomaki, et al done in Europe, they gave probiotics to the breastfeeding moms 2 weeks before delivery till the baby was 6 months of age. Their study showed a decrease in atopic diseases in the group of infants given probiotics. 
Giving probiotics early in life ensures that there will be a shift in the allergic pathway towards the non - allergic pathway at a time when the immune system is still developing.
As to the type of probiotics used, according to numerous studies, the best probiotic to use is the one that contains Lactobacillus GG, next is Lactobacillus acidophilus. Foreign studies also state that the effects of probiotics are not enhanced by having multiple strains of probiotics. Some authors even recommend sticking to a single strain probiotic if possible.
Technically, Erceflora and OMX should also work, but I am not really sure if OMX can be used in infants. Erceflora may be used in infants.

Hi...may i ask what probiotic supplements a Mom can take to possibly reduce allergies in their child? Do we need a prescription for it pa from our OBs? I am interested about doing this for my 2nd baby since I have a strong allergic history and hubby's family is also allergy-ridden so anything that can help... I breastfed my first and he had minimal allergic episodes naman, but there's always room for improvement   oh and your posts in this thread have been really helpful...

[hunny_ally]

^i give my daughter animal parade acidophikidz (healthy options). if she's feeling under the weather, i give her protexin restore. it is specially formulated for babies/kids. you can get it from selected mercury branches (afik, shangri-la, glorietta and medical city branches carry it).

my family has a strong history of allergy. even me sobra mag-allergy once na-trigger. but thankfully my daughter hasnt manifested any symptoms unlike my nephew who's not taking probiotics.

[leletmd]

Hi...may i ask what probiotic supplements a Mom can take to possibly reduce allergies in their child? Do we need a prescription for it pa from our OBs? I am interested about doing this for my 2nd baby since I have a strong allergic history and hubby's family is also allergy-ridden so anything that can help... I breastfed my first and he had minimal allergic episodes naman, but there's always room for improvement   oh and your posts in this thread have been really helpful...

Foreign and local scientific studies on probiotics and its' effects on the prevention of atopic diseases suggest starting probiotic supplementation of breastfeeding mothers as early as 2 weeks before delivery till 6 months of infancy. Breastfeeding coupled with probiotic supplementation helps shift the immune pathway away from the allergic pathway.
As to the beneficial probiotic strains, according to studies, the ones that have been proven to be effective are the probiotic mixtures or single strain supplements that contain Lactobacillus GG, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium infantis.
Among those that I've tried and tested are Protexin restore, Kyo-dophilus and Mega - acidophilus of GNC.
I suggest, however, that you also inform your OB and your pedia about your plan to supplement with probiotics so that you may be personally guided on its' proper use.

[delisyus]

thanks... and yes, I plan to inform them both (won't see them pa lang till next month)

[anjelicabarte]

Wow..this thread is so informative especially to all moms out there who has a child/have children with allergies.

Share ko lang mga sis ha...

May cholinergic urticaria kasi ako (heat yung allergen ko), and during grade school and high school, sobra yung reaction ko sa init to the point na whole body ko mapula, makati and pantal-pantal. I even had one episode na hindi ako makahinga sa sobrang init ng katawan ko and namamaga na face ko. It was really difficult for me kasi allergen ko is heat, which is mahirap iwasan esp. during summer. But thank God nung nag college ako until now hindi na super yung reaction ko sa init. Konting pamumula na lang sa face and arms na nawawala naman if nahanginan/na-airconan.

The sad part is, parang baby ko namana ata sa akin yung urticaria ko. Kasi I see red spots in her body whenever mainit. At nung summer, sobrang dami niyang kati-kati. Plus nataon pa yun na may contruction sa kabilang unit namin. So nagreact talaga skin niya negatively, parang eczema/dermatitis yung appearance. Pinescribed lang samin are antibiotic and Quadriderm which has steroids nga daw so up to 2 weeks lang pinagamit. Nawala naman agad but after nag stop ng Quadriderm, bumalik ulit after 1-2 weeks.

Until last June sobrang nagka- allergy attack siya sa Silang Cavite while we were visiting some relatives there tapos sinugod lang namin sa  sa pinakamalapit na clinic na available dun, pinescribed sa kanya Benadryl at Prednisone as per the General Practioner na available in that clinic (wala daw sila pedia eh).

At first worried ako ipainom kasi mukhang pang-adult yung mga gamot. My baby is 1 year and 6 months lang kasi. But pinainom parin namin that time kesa walang kaming ipainum, ayun nawala naman agad. Effective ata is Prednisone but I don't think it should be taken for more than 1 week kaya pagka-ubos ng maliit na bottle, di na kami bumili. Nawala na naman yung kati-kati and pantal-pantal until now di na bumalik so maintenance nalang namin is anti-histamine and cetaphil cleanser as per teh pedia's advise.  Unfortunately, dahil sobrang magkamot anak ko at di siya mapigilan nung nangangati siya, may little dark scars na natira sa may legs nya.

[mycheska]

pwede na bang magpaallergy testing ang 4 month old baby? naaawa na kasi ako sa daughter ko, ang pula pula ng skin tapos kamot pa sya ng kamot ng face nya, naiiyak ako when i see her irritable bec of her alrergy and eczema. 

[leletmd]

pwede na bang magpaallergy testing ang 4 month old baby? naaawa na kasi ako sa daughter ko, ang pula pula ng skin tapos kamot pa sya ng kamot ng face nya, naiiyak ako when i see her irritable bec of her alrergy and eczema. 

Pwede as early as 3 months of age, but limited lang ang allergens na tinetest. Usually cow's milk and soya lang unless you've already introduced solid food (in your baby's case, the earliest you can introduce solid food is 6 months. Otherwise, there's an increase chance of developing more allergies). It depends on your baby's exposure to possible allergens.
If it is bothering your baby already then there is a need for an allergy consult.

[wkt]

very helpful itong thread na ito.  atleast hindi na ako mashado naa-alarm sa prescription nung pedia allergologist ng daughter ko.  she's had recurrent coughs and colds kasi since march, after being confined for pneumonia.  we've seen 3-4 pedias na din kasi and they prescribe nebulization + antibiotics.  she gets better but after 2-3 weeks eto nanaman ang ubo at sipon nya.  paulit-ulit, nakaka-awa coz andami nyang meds. buti na lang hindi siya mahirap painumin ng gamot pero kawawa nga coz after several weeks, need na naman nya mag-take ng meds.  another issue pati, she gets really bad rashes sa nape and sa tummy whenever its hot. nag-iimprove naman after application of ointments kaya lang the ones prescribed my steroids kasi so hindi din namin magamit long-term.

anways, the allergo (dra. olivia geronimo-dejesus) diagnosed her with bronchitis and asthma.  i think she got the asthma from her dad and probably from my side of the family too, kasi yung kuya ko meron tho im not sure if its really asthma kasi once every 1 or 2 years lang siya atakihin and he's an adult already, not taking maintenance meds.  i suspected as much kasi she responds well pag nagnenebulize kami ng salbutamol dati.  bakit pala ganun, hindi ko naman napapansin na she's wheezing which my husband does pag ina-asthma siya? i mostly notice shortness of breath tsaka stuffy or runny nose  and may 'halak' or phlegm sound sa dibdib whenever she's sick. 

the pedia-allergo mentioned na baka kailangan ning daughter ko ng maintenance meds for her asthma and that made me really sad kasi she's too young, just turning 2 years old by december this year.  she also mentioned the 'skin test' that i dread so much, kasi my step-sister had that done nung bata pa kami.  grabe ang daming shots nun!  naiiyak ako to think that my daughter might be subjected to that one of these days.  i guess we'll be discussing those things pagkatapos na nitong ubo-ubo (bronchitis) nya.  at least, thanks to sis letletmd here, medyo lumakas yung loob ko kasi nga feeling ko better informed na ako.  baka nga the allergo will be able to address our concerns better, altho medyo alarming talaga yung mga findings na sinasabi nya for me.

btw, my daughter is now taking anti-histamine (zyrtec), augmentin (antibiotic), combivent (anti-asthma) and another med (i forgot the name and the function)
also, todo linis na sa bahay bahay ngayon and all of my daughter's stuffed toys are kept in storage na.  sana naman hindi na need ng daughter ko mag-maintenance meds

[marose17]

^ Hey, Olive is my high school classmate's elder sister.  

Big NO sa asthma or kid with history of allergies ang stuffed toys.  Please get rid of them.

Vacuuming regularly, like twice or thrice a week, is a must.

I answered you in the other thread.  Your daughter could be put on Montelukast.  That worked with me and my sons. 

[kurengkeng]

sisters,

how much magpa allergy skin test ngayon?

sino po ang marerecommend nyong allergolosit sa the medical city aside from dr. kasala>

[leletmd]

@kurengkeng:
Allergologists with clinic at TMC:

a. Dr. Eileen Alikpala - Cuajungco
The Medical City
Medical Arts Tower Rm. 1209
Ortigas Ave., Ortigas Center Pasig City
Tel. No. 633-6686; 635-6789 loc. 5163
Schedule: Monday  9:00am - 12:00nn
                            2:00pm - 5:00pm
                Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday  9:00am - 12:00nn
                Saturday  2:00pm - 5:00pm

b. Dr. Michelle De Vera
The Medical City
Rm. 1119 Medical Arts Tower
Ortigas Ave. Ortigas Center
Pasig City
Tel. no. 6356789 loc. 5154
Schedule: Tuesday 2:00pm - 7:00pm
               Wednesday 1:00pm - 7:00pm
               Friday 10:00am - 1:00pm; 3:00pm - 6:00pm
               Saturday 10:00 am - 1:00pm

c. Dr. Felicia Racquel Salvador - Tayag
The Medical City - Antipolo Branch
6 Circumferential Road Balig
Antipolo City
Tel. no. 697-2920; 697-2943
Schedule: M-W-F 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
              T-Th 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
              Saturday 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

The Medical City - Marikina Branch
G/F Sta. Lucia Grand Mall
Tel. no. 681-5153; 681-7345
Schedule: M-W-F 12:00 nn - 3:00 pm

[smarie_011]

my 2 1/2 old daughter is into montelukast for 2 weeks now because of asthma ok naman sa kanya untill yesterday nilagnat siya pinainom ko siya ng paracetamol? Ok lang kaya un na papinumin siya ng paracetamol kahit umiinom cya ng montelukast?? worried lang kasi ako tapos napansin hinihingal cya bakit po kaya ganun?

[leletmd]

my 2 1/2 old daughter is into montelukast for 2 weeks now because of asthma ok naman sa kanya untill yesterday nilagnat siya pinainom ko siya ng paracetamol? Ok lang kaya un na papinumin siya ng paracetamol kahit umiinom cya ng montelukast?? worried lang kasi ako tapos napansin hinihingal cya bakit po kaya ganun?

Paracetamol and Montelukast may be given safely at the same time.
Did you notice the "hingal" during the febrile episode or kahit nung wala na siyang fever?
Patients with fever, kasi, can experience "hingal" also, as well as increase in heart rate. The body is working faster to combat the infection. At the same time, fever can cause dehydration, which may manifest as increase in respiratory rate or "hingal".
If it happened naman during the time na wala na siyang fever, then it is possible na it's part of an asthma attack.
Anyway, I think it's worth mentioning to your pedia or your allergist. 

[smarie_011]

tenk you leletmd. may daughter is okey na yes hinihingal lang cya pag my fever cya pag normal temperature nya di naman cya hinihingal nag alala lang ako kasi baka asthma attack n yun pero ok n ok n cya ngayon... thank you for the info..

[proudmama]

i'm so worried na sa cough ng anak ko. 3 weeks na nakailang meds na siya from her pedia pero wala pa din. kanina lang i nebulized her with asmavent and nakatulog na siya. after ilang minutes inubo ng inubo na naman.may history kami ng asthma and allergic rhinitis. sad thing dito sa zambales walang allergologist.  pinakamalapit ang pampanga. buti na lang nagbackread ako nakita ko yun listings ng mga doctors. meron palang pedia-allergologist sa san fernando. mga sisses mga how much ba ang magagastos if ever kasama na skin test?

[leletmd]

@proudmama:
May I know if you were able to follow her up with her pedia after the 5 days of Optipred? Re-assessment is very important, kasi, in cases of hard to treat cough and colds.
I think your daughter would benefit from a check up with an allergologist. Baka kasi kulang ang management niya with regards to her cough and colds kaya pabalik balik pa rin. Don't worry about the cost of the skin test at this point. Usually ang 1st consult naman involves history, physical assessment and treatment of the symptoms.
Also bago skin test, the patient has to be off anti-histamines for about 1 week before the skin test. Otherwise, baka negative lang ang skin test.

[proudmama]

@doclelet, actually di pa kami pumunta after niya matapos sa optipred. before kasi yun mga binibigay ng doc niya na meds ok naman mga ilang days lang gumagaling na siya but now more than 3 weeks na siya andun pa din yun atake ng ubo niya. so i've decided to bring her to an allergologist in san fernando pampanga. meron pala dun si dra. ponio. pedia-allergologist pala siya. ganon pala yun doc she's under montelukast nga e so most probably pala di pa siya iskin test.
hayy wish ko lang sana magkaron naman samin ng allergologist. more than 2 hours din kasi ang byahe from our place to san fernando