Allergies
Allergies can be triggered by pollens, grasses, dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, mildew, foods, infections, and chemicals. The immune system over responds to a trigger in the environment or in the patient’s body.
Common Allergy Questions
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Red, itchy or watery eyes
- Asthma
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Trouble Breathing
- Hives
- Red, blotchy skin
- Dry, itchy skin
- Eczema
- Atopic Dermatitis
You should come in if your child’s symptoms are getting worse or are not responding to treatment at home. At AHP, the doctors and nurses can assess your child’s symptoms and decide with you on the best treatment for your child.
Hives
Hives and rashes are very common in children and can be very hard to assess. They can be triggered by many things including foods, medications and viruses. Our experienced doctors can diagnose the skin trouble and help to find a solution.
Bring in your child for rashes that are persistent, severe, painful, itchy, or if it involves the face or genitals. The most common type of allergic rashes are hives (urticaria) contact dermatitis, such as poison oak and atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Hives are a very itchy rash that can be caused by an allergic reaction to food, medicines, plants and pollen or infections. The spots are usually ½ inch to several inches wide and have raised pink spots with pale centers. They differ in shapes and sizes. They can rapidly come and go. Hives are not dangerous but can make a child very miserable with severe itching.
Most hives can be treated with an antihistamine such as Benadryl, which tends to sedate children and can ease the severity of the rash and the intensity of the itch. When severe, patients are treated with Epinephrine and/or oral steroids. In such severe cases, we recommend lengthy monitoring at our clinic or the emergency room.
Itchy Skin (Eczema) & Contact Dermatitis
Itchy skin is generally caused by something that irritates the skin, whether it’s sanitizer or soap, poison oak, or something that the child eats or drinks. It can be caused by internal irritations or outside irritants like dry weather, grasses, sunscreen and plants like poison oak.
Eczema is a chronic condition that causes dry skin and a red, itchy rash. It can be made worse by certain allergies or lack of treatment.
Moisturizers, steroid creams and new topical medications are used to treat eczema, along with elimination of the triggers.
Your child should be seen if the skin looks infected, characterized by a scabbing appearance or pain. If your child has trouble sleeping due to the itching or the rash gets worse suddenly, come in for a visit.
Skin Irritation– also known as Contact Dermatitis is a common condition in which the skin becomes red, itchy, and inflamed. Poison Oak is one of the better known types of dermatitis. It is not contagious and can occur in adults and children. The most common causes of Contact Dermatitis are soaps, detergents, bleaches, cleaners, chemicals, and plants (poison oak). Contact Dermatitis can be very uncomfortable. In order to stop the irritation, it is important to identify what is causing it.
Mild to moderate irritations can be treated with prescription steroid cream. Severe reactions, with blistering, or reactions on the face and genitals, often require oral steroids. After Hour Pediatric staff can help to determine which is best for your child.
We are a family-friendly children’s urgent care and minor emergency center in downtown San Mateo
For over 20 years, we have provided pediatric urgent medical care to babies, children and young adults from San Mateo, Burlingame, Millbrae, San Bruno, San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, and Foster City. The clinic is staffed by Board Certified pediatricians, is easy to find, and has parking right outside the door.
Our clinic is open for Urgent Care after hours when your child’s doctor is unavailable. We recommend you make an appointment so we can prepare for your arrival, please fill out all the forms and upload your insurance information. We have a limited number of walk-in spots each night.
Questions & Answers
A: We treat Urgent Care patients from birth to age 26. If we are very busy, we give younger children priority and may ask the young adult to be seen in Adult Urgent Care.
A: You should come to After Hour Pediatrics if your child requires urgent care when your pediatrician or primary care physician’s office is closed. We are a convenient and affordable alternative to the Emergency Room. If the injury or illness is life-threatening, you should go to the nearest hospital.
We are open 365 days a year, Monday-Friday 5pm -10pm and Weekends/Holidays 10am-10pm.
If you are in doubt about whether to come and visit us please call us at 650-579-6581
A: The typical visit requires 30 -60 minutes depending on the services you need. If you need lab tests, breathing treatments or a procedure performed, you may be in the office for longer. During surge of illnesses or patients with emergencies, wait times can be longer.
For Urgent Care, you can “Save a Spot” or drop in. We see walk in patients in the order that they arrive with exceptions for critically ill children or those at high-risk. We do our best to see “Saved Spots” on time, and always leave openings for walk in patients.
- We believe sick or injured children should be seen by a pediatrician. Other urgent care facilities may have pediatric rooms or areas designated for children, but they are not staffed with clinicians who have specialized training in pediatrics.
- We are ideally located in downtown San Mateo, 10 minutes from San Francisco airport.
- We offer free parking right outside our front door.
- We are child friendly, caring, compassionate and gentle.
- We will work with your child’s primary physician, informing them about your visit and ensuring they are fully briefed about your child’s medical situation as soon as possible.
- We are independently run so you can talk to us about financial pressures. We might be able to help.