Pediatric Allergist in Istanbul

What Is a Pediatric Allergist?

A pediatric allergist is a specialist physician who diagnoses and treats allergic diseases in children. The official specialty is known as Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. These specialists evaluate abnormal immune system responses to allergens and determine the most appropriate treatment methods.

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology specialists first complete six years of medical school, followed by four years of specialty training in Pediatrics. During this period, they evaluate children admitted to hospital wards or outpatient clinics under the supervision of experienced faculty members and receive comprehensive training in pediatric diseases.

After becoming a pediatrician, physicians who successfully pass the subspecialty examination and qualify for training in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology undergo an additional three years of specialized education. During this period, they primarily follow children and adolescents with allergic diseases and immune deficiencies in both outpatient and inpatient settings and receive focused training in these conditions.

After successfully completing the examination at the end of the three-year subspecialty training, they become Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Specialists.

What Is a Pediatric Allergy Doctor Called?

A pediatric allergy doctor is called a Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Specialist. These physicians first complete their specialization in Pediatrics and then undertake additional subspecialty training in allergy and immunology.

What Is the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Department?

The Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Department is a medical specialty responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of allergic diseases as well as disorders involving the immune system in children.

Physicians working in this field evaluate abnormal immune responses in children and manage both congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies, allergic diseases, and autoinflammatory disorders. When the immune system does not function properly, children may experience a broad range of health problems, from recurrent infections to chronic or acute allergic reactions.

Some of the most common conditions treated in this department include food allergies, asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever),allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis (eczema),blood and mucus in the stool associated with food allergy in infants, acute or chronic urticaria (hives),anaphylaxis, and drug allergies.

The department also diagnoses and treats primary immunodeficiencies, conditions in which the body has a reduced ability to fight infections. Children with immune deficiencies may experience frequent infections that can sometimes persist despite antibiotic treatment.

The Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Department uses a detailed medical history, physical examination, and laboratory investigations to establish a diagnosis. Tests such as skin prick testing, specific IgE measurements, pulmonary function tests, oral food challenge tests, and drug challenge tests may be used to determine which allergens the child is sensitive to.

When an immune deficiency is suspected, tests that evaluate immune cell function and antibody levels may also be performed.

Treatment of allergic diseases may include allergen avoidance strategies, medication and immunotherapy (allergy shots). In certain immune system disorders, immunoglobulin replacement therapy may be administered intravenously or subcutaneously to replace missing immune components.

In the management of chronic allergic diseases, both the patient and the family are educated in detail about how to avoid triggering factors. Children with asthma and their families are also taught how to manage an asthma attack through a personalized asthma action plan.

In summary, the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Department plays an important role in the early diagnosis and appropriate management of allergic and immune system disorders. Specialists in this field adopt an individualized and multidisciplinary approach to help children maintain a healthy immune system and improve their quality of life.

Best Pediatric Allergist in Istanbul

Prof. Dr. Özlem Cavkaytar, one of the experienced pediatric allergy specialists in Istanbul, provides a scientific and comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases in children from infancy through adolescence.

I create individualized treatment plans by considering each child’s specific needs in conditions such as food allergies, asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and allergic reactions related to pollen and house dust mites. My aim is to improve children’s quality of life and help families manage the treatment process with confidence.

If you are looking for a pediatric allergist in Istanbul, you may consult us or review experienced specialists working in private hospitals, university hospitals, and private clinics throughout Istanbul. Reviewing physicians’ academic backgrounds and clinical experience can help you choose the specialist who best meets your child’s needs.

What Conditions Does a Pediatric Allergist Treat?

A pediatric allergist in Istanbul specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions including:

Food allergies (milk, egg, peanut, hazelnut, walnut, lentils, sesame, fish, etc.)
Vomiting, bloody stools, diarrhea, and reflux associated with food allergies in infants
Respiratory allergies (asthma, allergic rhinitis, hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis)
Skin allergies (eczema, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, contact dermatitis)
Drug allergies (antibiotic allergies, painkiller allergies, and other medication allergies)
Insect allergies (honeybee and wasp sting allergies, etc.)
Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions)

What Are the Most Common Allergic Diseases in Children?

Asthma
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Allergic conjunctivitis or eye allergies
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Food allergies
Urticaria (hives)
Drug and insect allergies

How Does a Pediatric Allergist Diagnose Allergies?

A pediatric allergist uses a systematic and comprehensive approach to diagnosis.

The process begins with a detailed medical history. The child’s symptoms, how and where they occur, their severity, how they resolve, possible allergy triggers, accompanying signs and symptoms, photographs of skin reactions if available, previous similar episodes, possible reactions to cross-reactive triggers, and family history are all evaluated.

Because allergic diseases may have a genetic predisposition, family history plays an important role in the diagnostic process.

Environmental factors are also carefully assessed. These may include the child’s living environment, dietary habits, exposure to pets, whether the child spends time in areas with high pollen levels, and whether symptoms become worse during exercise.

During the physical examination, the child’s skin, respiratory system, nose, lungs, eyes, other organ systems, and general health are evaluated.

Allergic reactions may appear as redness, hives (urticaria),or eczema on the skin. In respiratory allergies, symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, nasal itching, watery or itchy eyes, eye redness, coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing may be more prominent.

Laboratory tests and specific allergy tests may be used to establish a definitive diagnosis.

One of the most commonly used methods is the skin prick test. During this test, specific allergens are applied to the skin and introduced into the superficial layer of the skin with a small prick. If an allergic response to a tested substance is present, redness and swelling develop at the application site. Because it provides rapid and reliable results, this test is widely used.

In addition to skin testing, blood tests also play an important role in diagnosis. Specific IgE tests measure the level of antibodies produced by the child’s immune system against particular allergens and can help identify substances to which the child is sensitized.

When a more comprehensive assessment is necessary, advanced diagnostic methods such as component-resolved diagnostics (molecular allergy testing) may be used.

Pulmonary function tests can be performed when respiratory allergies are suspected. In children with suspected asthma, tests such as spirometry are used to assess how well the lungs are functioning.

Pulmonary function testing is also used in the diagnosis of asthma. The degree of improvement in lung function after administration of a bronchodilator can provide valuable diagnostic information.

For the definitive diagnosis of food allergies, an oral food challenge may be performed under medical supervision to observe how the child reacts after consuming a specific food.

By combining clinical findings with these tests, the pediatric allergist can establish the most appropriate diagnosis and prepare an individualized treatment plan.

The process may vary depending on the type and severity of the allergy and may sometimes require a combination of different diagnostic and treatment methods.

For example, a child with cow’s milk allergy may react when drinking milk directly but may tolerate baked milk in foods such as cake. An experienced pediatric allergist can prepare a detailed dietary plan according to the severity of the child’s allergy, identifying which foods can safely be consumed and which should be avoided. This approach may also be incorporated into the child’s treatment process.

Treatments Provided by a Pediatric Allergist

Pediatric allergists use different treatment methods depending on the type of allergic disease:

Allergen Avoidance: Individualized recommendations are provided to reduce or prevent exposure to identified allergens.
Medication: Antihistamines may help reduce itching, rashes, and runny nose. Corticosteroids may be used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and certain allergic conditions. Bronchodilators help open the airways in children with asthma.
Allergen Immunotherapy: Low doses of allergens may be administered over a specified period through subcutaneous injections or oral sprays or tablets to reduce sensitivity to the allergen.
Emergency Management: Children at risk of anaphylaxis may be prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector (adrenaline injector),and both the child and family are taught how and when to use it.

Can a Pediatrician Treat Allergies?

General pediatricians can evaluate and provide initial treatment for sudden allergic reactions, particularly in emergency situations. However, children who require advanced evaluation and treatment should be referred to a Pediatric Allergy Specialist.

What Causes Allergies in Children?

Allergies in children can develop due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors:

Genetic predisposition: Children whose mother or father has an allergic disease have a higher risk of developing allergies. Children who experienced eczema during infancy may also have a greater predisposition to allergic diseases.
Overreaction of the immune system: The immune system reacts excessively to substances that are normally harmless, such as milk, pollen, or dust.
Environmental factors: Factors such as air pollution, dietary habits, and environmental exposure may play a role. The hygiene hypothesis also suggests that growing up in an excessively sterile environment may influence susceptibility to allergic diseases.

At What Age Can Allergy Testing Be Performed in Children?

Skin Prick Test: Can be performed from infancy onward in appropriate cases.
Blood Tests (IgE): Can be performed from infancy onward.
Oral Food Challenge Test: Can be performed at any age under the supervision of a doctor and nurse.
Drug Challenge Test: Can be performed at any age under the supervision of a doctor and nurse.

If a serious allergy is suspected in an infant, allergy testing can be performed at an early age when recommended by the physician.

What Helps with Allergies in Children?

To help reduce allergy symptoms in children:

First, have the child appropriately evaluated to determine what may be causing the symptoms.
Avoid identified allergens such as pollen, dust, animal allergens, or food allergens.
Support overall health with a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and regular physical activity.
Make appropriate changes to the home environment, such as removing carpets when necessary, controlling indoor humidity, and washing soft toys regularly.
Keep your child and yourself away from cigarette smoke. Do not smoke anywhere inside the home, including near windows, in bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, or on balconies where smoke may enter the living environment.
Use medications only as recommended by your doctor.
If appropriate, allergen immunotherapy may be considered.