Ask the Expert: Dr. Meltzer Answers Your Allergy Questions

[CafeMom Team]

We are no longer taking questions for Dr. Meltzer, but you can see his answers to many questions here.

CafeMom is excited to announce that Dr. Eli Meltzer will be answering questions about children's allergies.

We will be sending him your questions and will post his replies. Dr. Meltzer is Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego and is also a founder of the Allergy/Immunology Fellowship Training Program at UCSD. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Post your questions below! We will be posting Dr. Meltzer's responses to some of your questions beginning in two weeks and again in early May. We're taking questions until the end of the month, so come back if you think of something else!

Ask your questions now and you will be entered to win a $250 American Express gift card!

The Official Rules

The Ask an Allergist Sweepstakes starts April 2, 2012 at 11 am  (ET) and ends May 18 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) (the "Sweepstakes Period").

Enter by replying to this post with a question for Dr. Meltzer during the Sweepstakes Period.  Multiple entries are permitted and encouraged, as it increases your chances of winning. One (1) winner] will be selected in a random drawing of all eligible entries to receive an American Express gift card (valued at $250).  The random drawing shall occur on or about May 31.

*No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 16 years and older. Void where prohibited. Click here for the rest of the Official Rules.

[lasombrs]

How long does allergy testing usually take to come back?

[lasombrs]

If an older child is allergic to something will their younger sibling most likely be allergic too?

[lasombrs]

Do allergies have different degrees? Like if you tested everyone they would probably come back positive for something may may eat or come in contact with daily but maybe never knew they were allergic to?

[lasombrs]

Can allergies that are left untreated cause other aliments?

[lasombrs]

if you had a moderate reaction to something once will it be worse if you come in contact with it again?

[lasombrs]

Are only certain types of allergies life threatening, or can allergy be that severe depending on the person affected?

(like are only peanuts life threatening, or could dust, pollen, artifical colors etc also be)

[lasombrs]

Is it possible to find out if you are allergic to bee stings before ever being stung?

[lasombrs]

What is the difference between taking inhaled steriods vs liquid ones. Do they actually treat differently or is inhaled just faster?

[lasombrs]

how safe are allergy shots? Do they contain any of the chemicals that parents worry about in vaccinations?

[lasombrs]

What % of people with bad allergies also have asthma? Does one seem to trigger attacks of the other?