Allergies & Asthma Care

Allergies are reactions of the immune system against a specific substance (allergen) the body comes in contact by breathing in, touching or eating. The allergen can be foods, medication, pollen, mold, feathers, insect sting, cockroach dropping and body parts, tree or plant oil and chemicals. Hence, symptoms of allergies may include: Stuffy nose, runny nose, itching in ears or the roof of the mouth, red and itchy eyes or skin, an itchy rash, hives or welts, trouble breathing, vomiting, diarrhea.

The tendency to develop allergies may be inherited or can occur randomly. Allergies can be seasonal. Allergic reactions can range from those with mild severity (eg. a small area of skin rash) to moderate (eg. widespread body rash) to severe, unpleasant and potentially life-threatening symptoms (eg. rash accompanied with breathing difficulty or severe vomiting and diarrhea).

Allergies are diagnosed and identified using a skin test, blood test or a challenge test. In all these tests, the immune reaction of the body in response to exposure to an extremely tiny amount of specific allergens is recorded. The treatment of allergies is then tailored for each individual based on the finding. Treatment is usually a combination of avoiding the trigger allergen(s), medications, and allergen-specific immunotherapy (sublingual or allergy shots).

While those experiencing allergies become so used to it that they do not consider it unusual, but there is no need to suffer from them because they can be treated and controlled!! 

Dr. Vani provides expert care for patients with allergies and partners with your family to recommend the best strategy to manage and mitigate your child’s allergy issues.

Asthma is a common condition and affects about 6 million children in the US. Asthma is characterized by episodes of reversible breathing problems. In patients with asthma the tubes that carry air to the lungs are swollen and irritable even when symptoms are not apparent. During an asthma flare up, the airways become narrow, swollen and irritated resulting in symptoms including: repeated coughing, breathlessness, chest tightness or wheezing. Children with asthma are typically more sensitive to colds and viral infections. There are specific “triggers” that can cause a flare up or aggravate asthma. Common triggers include: dust, pollen, cockroaches, exercise, smoke, fumes and strong smelling chemicals in the air.

Any child who has repeated breathing problems should be evaluated for asthma. The first step in this process is a clear diagnosis of asthma, and sometimes, specialist referral. Diagnosis of asthma in children under 5 years is tricky and wheezing in this age group can occur independent of the presence of asthma. Treatment is tailored based on symptom severity. Two kinds of medicines are usually used to treat asthma - rescue and controller medicines. Rescue medicines are used for fast symptomatic relief. Controller medicines are daily use medicines to control inflammation and prevent symptoms over the longer term.

Dr. Vani is well versed in the diagnosis and management of asthma and works in tight partnership with children and their parents or caregivers to develop an Asthma Action Plan that best works for the child and the family. In developing the plan with the family, Dr. Vani’s principal aim is to control the underlying inflammation of the air tubes to the lungs. This is accomplished by using a combination of medications and identifying triggers that worsen the air tube swelling. Adherence to the Asthma Action Plan reduces the severity and frequency of asthma symptoms and flare ups and could eventually reduce medication need.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Vani, please click on the "Request An Appointment" link at the top of the page (preferred option) or call the office at 972-893-1192.