Drug allergy in children occurs as a result of the immune system’s perception of a drug as a foreign and harmful substance and the body’s reaction to protect it against this drug. Since this is not a very common situation, some families may ignore the symptoms and delay going to the doctor. However, if we know when to go to the doctor when the symptoms are seen, we can prevent some situations. Let’s find out when to go to the doctor.
When should we go to the doctor for drug allergy?
Many people, especially children, neglect to see a doctor until symptoms become too severe and unmanageable. However, contrary to this, it is always best for your child to go to the doctor before the symptoms get worse and the situation becomes serious in order to diagnose early and start treatment.
If the conditions mentioned below are seen in your child, you should go to an allergist;
- If there is no reduction in the symptoms experienced,
- If the allergy medications used do not show any benefit,
- If you have other allergic diseases and they are also getting worse.
Which Doctor Should I Go To For Drug Allergy?
If you think your child has a drug allergy, it’s best to see an allergist after observing the symptoms. Because drug allergy is a serious disease and without proper diagnosis and treatment, it can lead to serious conditions such as anaphylaxis. Pediatric allergists are doctors who have received long training and experience in all allergic diseases in children. In order to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary drug use, especially to prevent exacerbation of symptoms, an allergist is the doctor who will help you best in the recovery of the disease.
What to Do Before Going to the Doctor for the Diagnosis of Drug Allergy
If your child starts to use a new drug or has some allergic reactions after taking a drug, you should go to an allergist for early diagnosis, depending on the severity of the symptoms. However, before the examination, there are some preparations you need to make in order for the examination to be productive for both you and your doctor.
We can list these preparations as follows:
- Note any symptoms your child shows after taking the medication. It is important for your doctor to make correct inferences.
- Make a note of the medications your child uses.
- Write down the questions you want to ask your doctor in advance and ask your doctor. Because you may not think of it during the examination, it is important for the efficiency of the examination.
- Leave the allergy and cough medicines used 1 week before the examination. Diagnosis may require an allergy test, and if your child is taking allergy or cough medicines, these may affect the result of the test.
- Bring your previous test results with you to avoid repeating the same tests for your child.