Controlling allergies can dramatically improve your child’s performance and quality of life.
When it comes to back-to-school prep, most parents focus on school supplies, establishing routines and planning the perfect outfits. But if your child is dealing with sinus infections, congestion, poor sleep or constant colds, it might be time to consider another essential item on your checklist: allergy testing. Ensuring your child returns to school in peak health can make all the difference in their academic success and day-to-day well-being.
Allergies can be deceptive – often appearing manageable with over-the-counter medications, at least temporarily. But for more severe allergy sufferers, these quick fixes may not be enough. Over time, the immune system can become overloaded, and over-the-counter medications like antihistamines and nasal sprays lose their effectiveness. Unfortunately, spring, summer and fall are all peak allergy seasons. By the time August arrives, many kids are already feeling their worst just as school is starting.
For Sioux Falls mom Brook, the decision to have her daughter Logann tested for allergies was an easy one. “We’ve noticed she’s always had issues since she was three or four. She had a runny nose, puffy eyes, dark circles and headaches caused by sinus pressure. I’ve had the same issues so chances were she had severe allergies just like me.”
According to Dr. Tamura, of Midwest ENT & Allergy in Sioux Falls, many parents who bring in their children have already tried a variety of treatments without lasting relief. “If you’ve tried different solutions with no success, we have additional options,” says Dr. Tamura. “Through comprehensive testing, we can develop a personalized plan to help manage your child’s symptoms and explore treatments that could significantly improve their life.”
Midwest ENT & Allergy offers two types of allergy testing: a blood test or a skin prick test. Both are quick, effective, and cause only minimal discomfort. “Because we can test patients right in our office and identify their specific allergens,” Dr. Tamura explains, “we’re able to offer advanced treatment options, set clear expectations, and discuss the timeline for meaningful results.”
Beyond medication, there are proactive steps families can take to reduce allergen exposure – and for long-term relief, immunotherapy may be the best route. Immunotherapy helps desensitize the immune system to allergens, decreasing reliance on medication and improving overall quality of life. Immunotherapy options include traditional allergy shots or sublingual (under-the-tongue) drops.
For Brook, who has been utilizing immunotherapy for years, seeing Logann experience the same miserable symptoms she herself experienced was the push she needed to start Logann on allergy immunotherapy. “We knew over-the-counter meds weren’t enough for Logann. Since starting injections, her quality of life has improved 100 percent. As a parent, you always want what’s best for your kids, and this was something we could do to help her. It’s a long-term commitment, but knowing she feels better and the therapy is working makes it completely worth it.”
Midwest ENT & Allergy offers state-of-the-art allergy testing and treatment right here in Sioux Falls. Their expert team provides comprehensive evaluations and treatment plans using the latest technology and techniques.
To learn more or schedule a consultation, call 605-336-3503. Help your child return to school feeling healthy, focused and allergy-free.