The “Allergic March” or also known as “Atopic March” is the progression of allergic diseases over time. What is the sequence of allergic diseases? The allergic diseases evolve over time with atopic dermatitis or eczema being the first manifestation of…

Abdomen or commonly called tummy is a common site of tuberculosis in children. Abdominal tuberculosis can occur isolated or in association with tuberculosis of lungs and lymph nodes. Tuberculosis can involve various parts of the abdomen like the intestines, lymph…

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic or an inherited condition which was mainly seen in the western countries, and is now increasingly being diagnosed in developing countries like India. What is the genetic defect in Cystic Fibrosis? The gene which causes…

Flexible laryngoscopy is a quick and effective way for the pediatric pulmonologist to get a look at the baby’s or child’s airway from the nose, nasal passages, nasopharynx (back of the nose), oropharynx (back of the mouth the throat and…

Tonsils are lymph nodes which can be seen as small lumps at the back of the throat. Tonsils act as filters which trap germs, which could otherwise have entered the child’s airway causing infections. Tonsils also make antibodies to fight…

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by a bacteria Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. When a person with Tuberculosis (TB) of the lungs coughs or speaks the tuberculosis (TB) bacteria are put into the air. Tuberculosis is a droplet infection and passes through…

The incidence of food allergy is increasing in India and south-east Asia. The most common food allergies are milk, egg, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, peanut and tree nuts. Peanut and tree nuts are common food allergies in both children and…

Cough and cold with or without fever is the top reason for children visiting their doctors or child specialists. Although most coughs and colds in children aren’t serious, they can be troublesome for the child. This leads to a lot…

Pollen grains, commonly called "pollens" are tiny particles released from the plants. The pollen fertilizes other plants of the same species. The pollens are small, light and dry which can travel a long distance by wind. Pollen of some grasses,…

Our eyes are widely exposed to allergens in the outside environment. Children with an underlying tendency of allergy develop eye inflammation caused by an allergic reaction to substances or allergens. The inside of the eyelids and the covering of the…

Spirometry is a lung function test which provides information about how your child’s lungs are working. It measures how much and how fast your child can move air into and out of your lungs. There are other lung functions tests…

Skin prick testing (SPT) or skin allergy testing is an accurate method to identify a child's allergies. Let’s understand what this test involves and how it is performed. Which children require a Skin prick test (SPT)? Children with asthma, nasal…

Tuberculosis or TB is caused by a bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. As tuberculosis (TB) in India is endemic many people breathe in the TB bacteria and a lot of them would get infected. In most of these infected people the…

Do you always get sick with hives, rash or stomach pains after eating eggs? You might be allergic to eggs. After milk allergy, the second most common cause of food allergy is allergy to hen’s egg. Allergy develops when the…

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a disorder that results in recurrent attacks of angioedema or severe swelling. Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is caused by a low level or improper function of a protein called the C1 inhibitor. There are three types of…

Milk allergy is an immune reaction to one of the many proteins in animal milk. The most common form seen worldwide is allergy to cow’s milk and called as cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is…