Allergies can significantly impair quality of life and, in the worst case, lead to serious health problems. A precise diagnosis is therefore crucial in order to identify the triggering allergens and initiate targeted therapy. In our practice, we use various diagnostic procedures to determine the type and extent of the allergy. These include, for example:
- Blood sampling with IgE determination: measurement of antibodies against specific allergens in the blood.
- Prick tests: Skin test with allergen solutions to detect immediate-type allergies.
- Food provocation tests: Controlled administration of suspected foods under medical supervision to reliably diagnose food allergies. These are planned by us and carried out on an outpatient basis in cooperation with surrounding hospitals.
Therapy
Early detection and personalised therapies
Breathing difficulties, itchy skin, coughing, hives, nausea, abdominal pain, or diarrhoea. When the immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances, the range of symptoms can be varied. Allergies are now one of the most common chronic health problems in children. In Germany, almost one in three children is affected by an allergy, and the trend is rising. Hay fever, asthma, and food allergies are particularly common.
For example, almost 13% of all children in Germany suffer from atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis) once in their lives, and asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood.
As a specialist in paediatric allergology, I can offer comprehensive diagnostics and individualised treatment approaches to improve your child’s quality of life in the long term. Providing trustworthy and personalised advice is very important to me. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have or express any concerns you may have. Together, we will find a way to make your child’s everyday life easier and avoid long-term health consequences.
Food allergies
More and more children are suffering from food allergies. Even small amounts of certain foods such as milk, eggs, nuts, fish, or wheat can trigger severe reactions. Symptoms range from skin rashes and gastrointestinal complaints to life-threatening anaphylactic shock.
Thorough diagnostics are necessary to identify a food allergy and treat it effectively. Skin tests, blood tests, and provocation tests are used to determine exactly which specific allergens trigger your child’s reaction.
Treatment is usually based on avoiding allergy-triggering foods. Oral immunotherapy is possible for children, and I would be happy to provide you with more information. In more severe cases, drug therapy may be advisable. It is particularly important to me that you, as parents or caregivers, know how to act in emergencies—for example, with an adrenaline auto-injector. After the consultation, you will receive a treatment plan with specific information about which foods to avoid and which medications to administer in an emergency. We will practice this together.
Trust-based, individualised counselling and therapy are important to me so that your child can grow up safe and healthy.
Hay fever
As soon as the weather gets sunnier and warmer, your eyes start to itch and your nose starts to run. Hay fever and pollen allergies are also widespread among children. At our practice, we offer comprehensive advice and precise diagnostics to find out which allergens are triggering the symptoms.
With targeted therapy, which can range from effective medication to special immunotherapy (hyposensitization), we can alleviate the symptoms and improve your child’s quality of life. We accompany you and your child throughout the entire treatment and also give you valuable tips on how to prevent allergic reactions in everyday life. Trust in our expertise – so that your child can play outside without any worries.
Atopic eczema
Dry, itchy skin, redness, and inflammation – atopic dermatitis, also known as neurodermatitis, is one of the most common skin diseases. Children are particularly affected, but adults can also suffer from sensitive skin. Those affected often suffer from other allergies, such as asthma or hay fever.
This chronic inflammatory skin condition usually appears in infancy and occurs in episodes. In the early (acute) phase, red, weeping, and itchy rashes usually spread from the face to the scalp, neck, hands, elbows, knees, and feet. Frequent scratching means that the skin is usually very dry and thickened in the chronic phase.
The good news is that with the right skin care and targeted therapy, the symptoms can usually be controlled well. Strengthening the skin barrier and avoiding individual triggers can reduce flare-ups and improve the appearance of the skin.
Urticaria (hives)
Suddenly they appear; itchiness, redness, and swelling (angioedema). Hives or urticaria can affect children and adults alike, and the cause is often difficult to determine.
Hives usually occur in an acute form and generally disappear on their own within a short period of time. In rare cases, hives can become chronic, but they are easily treatable and will eventually disappear again. However, this can sometimes take months or years. Urticaria is not contagious. The main focus of treatment is on relieving the itching. Sometimes medication is necessary. Antihistamines or biologics—medications with antibodies that inhibit the body’s own substances or cells—are used, for example.
By the way: you are not alone with your condition. About one in five people experience urticaria once in their lifetime. The condition is not contagious.
Allergic asthma
Sometimes it feels as if the air doesn’t fit properly in the lungs – as if an invisible dragon is sitting on your chest. Does your child cough frequently or wheeze when breathing? This could be asthma. But don’t worry! With the right treatment, your child can still run, romp and play.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease, which means that the airways are permanently inflamed and react very sensitively to certain stimuli, such as pollen, dust, animal hair, or cold air. This can lead to coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or a tight feeling in the chest.
We help your child manage their asthma. Good asthma control, breathing techniques and exercises, and drug therapies can enable a largely symptom-free life. Together, we will find out what is good for your child and how you can help in an emergency.
Insect venom allergies
An insect venom allergy is an excessive immune response to the venom of bees and wasps. While a sting causes only a temporary local reaction with redness, itching, and swelling in most people, it can lead to severe symptoms in allergy sufferers, such as itching all over the body, hives, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, circulatory problems, or even anaphylactic shock. Rapid treatment is required.
The diagnosis is made through a detailed medical history, skin tests, and special blood tests to determine allergen-specific antibodies. Treatment initially consists of rapid emergency treatment with antihistamines and, above all, adrenaline. In the long term, specific immunotherapy (hyposensitization) can help: it gradually accustoms the immune system to the insect venom and can thus prevent severe allergic reactions in the future.
If you suspect that you or your child has an insect venom allergy, please contact us.
Drug allergy
Of course, every child gets sick sometimes and has to take medication. But what if their skin suddenly becomes red, swollen, or itchy? Or your child feels dizzy? These symptoms can, of course, indicate that your child is sensitive to certain ingredients in the medication. However, in most cases, this is not an allergy, but an undesirable side effect of the medication.
For example, skin rashes often occur when taking antibiotics. However, studies show that this is often prematurely attributed to an allergy. Allergy tests then show that there is no allergic reaction. For example, penicillin allergies are much rarer than assumed.
However, allergic reactions are possible with all medications and can occur within minutes to hours after taking them. Symptoms range from skin reactions (e.g., hives) to nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, and even anaphylactic shock (circulatory collapse).
In order to avoid unnecessarily avoiding effective medications, it is important to know which medications you are actually allergic to and which you are not.