Question 1

what is the definition or description of: pigweed allergy?

Accepted Answer

Fall weed: Pigweed is a type of weed that usually pollinates in the fall in most areas of the USA. Inhalation of pigweed pollen, when allergic, can cause nasal and eye allergy symptoms like runny nose, itchy nose, itchy watery eyes, and sometimes cough or breathing difficulty if allergy is severe enough.

Question 2

what is pigweed and does it affect allergies?

Accepted Answer

Pigweed: If you search pigweed on the internet you can find lots of nice pictures. It is often the second most important weed allergen in many states. It blooms in the fall, typically at the same time ragweed is blooming. (typically the most important weed pollen).

Question 3

can a parents allergies be passed on to their children?

Accepted Answer

Not Exactly: What is passed genetically from parent to child is the propensity to develop atopy (such as eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergies) but usually not sensitization to specific allergens which the parent is allergic to.  The exception, which is a controversial topic, is drug allergies, but this is usually dependent on metabolism of the drug which is inherited rather than the allergy.

Question 4

does a cough come with allergies in children?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: But not all the time. Nasal allergies are not a frequent cause of a really bad persistent cough. In a child with allergies and a really bad cough (assuming no fever) I would be concerned about a reactive airway/asthma type condition. If the child also had eczema I would be even more concerned.

Question 5

can a parents' allergies to various foods be passed on to their children?

Accepted Answer

No: The condition of being allergic is certainly an inherited property.  Often, that tendancy is greater in children whose biological mother has allergies.  However, specific allergy is generally not thought to be inherited.  That is, a parent can be allergic to food, and their children allergic to pollen or insect stings.

Question 6

why do some children have allergies?

Accepted Answer

Hereditary: The ability to have allergies is hereditary.  If one parent has allergy, there is about a 40% chance of the child having allergy. If both parents are allergic, the chances increase to about 70%.  Allergy also requires exposure to an "allergen", like pollen, dust mite, molds or animals.  So if there is no exposure, no symptoms occur.

Question 7

how are children tested for allergies?

Accepted Answer

See below: They are tested the same as everyone else. They can have skin testing performed by an allergist, or blood work ordered by their primary care provider.

Question 8

i have an allergy to nuts and i was wondering if my children would also be allergic?

Accepted Answer

Nut allergy: Maybe.  Your children may have inherited genes from you that make them more likely to develop an allergy, but they do not inherit a specific allergy to a food e.g. Nuts.  The children have to be exposed to food proteins in the diet, before an allergy can develop.  Once one develops an allergy then they are always allergic and need proper medical attention to prevent severe problems.

Question 9

should i keep a cat even if it causing allergy problems with my children ages 2 thru 7?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Several factors here.  I usually never recommend it if the family is attached to the pet, but if it is causing severe symptoms, you should sequester the animal out of the bedrooms and living spaces.  Then make sure you thoroughly rid those areas of cat dander as it is a potent and tenacious allergen.

Question 10

does testing for food allergies in children painful?

Accepted Answer

No: The pain is minimal with skin testing, similar testing can be done with a blood test which requires some blood being withdrawn with a needle.

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Doctor answers about:

Pigweed allergy in children

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: pigweed allergy?

A member asked:

What is pigweed and does it affect allergies?

A member asked:

Can a parents allergies be passed on to their children?

A member asked:

Does a cough come with allergies in children?

A member asked:

Can a parents' allergies to various foods be passed on to their children?

A member asked:

Why do some children have allergies?

A member asked:

How are children tested for allergies?

A member asked:

I have an allergy to nuts and i was wondering if my children would also be allergic?

A member asked:

Should i keep a cat even if it causing allergy problems with my children ages 2 thru 7?

A member asked:

Does testing for food allergies in children painful?

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