Signs of a problem with a child’s health can be confusing for any parent or caregiver, and it can be difficult to know when a pediatrician should be consulted. This is especially true for allergy– and asthma–related symptoms because they mimic symptoms of a common cold.

A pediatrician should always be contacted right away if a child’s health is in question. Parents should also be sure to take this action in a way that does not alarm the child, because anxiety can potentially worsen some symptoms (e.g., difficulty breathing). This patient guide points out some signs and symptoms that should be addressed immediately, without waiting to see if they go away on their own.

Pediatricians of children diagnosed with allergies or asthma often make it clear, as a part of the child’s treatment, what types of symptoms should be reported. Other types of symptoms are less clear. In general, it is a good idea to take a child to a pediatrician for any symptoms that:

• Are experienced for the first time or without an obvious explanation
  
  
• Worsen, either rapidly or over time
  
  
• Involve more than one body system (e.g., skin rash and wheezing)
  
  
• Continue for an extended period of time (e.g., longer than a week)
  
  
• Recur in predictable patterns (e.g., every morning, after meals)
  
  
• Impact the ability to breathe (e.g., shortness of breath, severe coughing)

Any parent in doubt about whether a child’s symptom is serious should call a pediatrician or take their child to the emergency room. If transportation is unavailable or if the nature of the emergency is life–threatening, 9–1–1 should be called.

Some signs and symptoms may indicate the presence of an allergy. In these cases it may be a good idea for the child to see an allergist in addition to the child’s regular pediatrician. An allergist is a physician who has specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. Both the allergist and the pediatrician should be fully aware of any prescriptions, recommendations and/or diagnoses made by either physician.