Watching your child suffer from allergy symptoms is especially frustrating if you don’t know what causes their allergic reactions, not to mention it’s impossible to avoid their triggers or know how to treat the symptoms. You may consider scheduling an allergy test appointment to identify what they’re allergic to and begin the process of creating a treatment plan for their allergies.
When to Get Your Child Allergy Tested
Allergy testing may not be necessary if your child’s allergies are mild (i.e., don’t require treatment) or if you can infer what causes them. For example, if they seem to experience allergy symptoms every year in the spring, it’s a safe bet that they’re allergic to pollen.
Allergy testing is beneficial for clarity: clarity of what to avoid, and clarity of how to treat and manage. If their allergic reactions seem extreme and even dangerous, allergy testing can provide clarity on what causes their reactions and enable you and your child to take steps to avoid coming into contact with that cause. If allergy medications don’t seem to provide relief, allergy testing can provide clarity on how to treat the allergy effectively.
Types of Allergy Tests for Kids
There are a few different types of allergy tests that allergists can use to evaluate pediatric allergies. The two skin tests are the most common:
- Skin prick. The allergist will lightly prick or scratch your child’s skin with a small amount of a potential allergen to see if a reaction occurs.
- Intradermal. The allergist will place a small amount of a potential allergen under the topmost layer of skin using a needle, like a very shallow shot.
What to Expect at Your Child’s Allergy Test Appointment
The allergy test will likely be performed on your child’s upper back. They may spend a long time lying on their stomach while the test is performed and while you await results. To prepare, it’s a good idea to bring lots of toys, books or snacks to keep them distracted. If your child is young, like toddler-aged, mentally prepare yourself to physically hold them to keep them still.
The scratch (if a skin prick test) or the shot (if an intradermal test) should not hurt your child, but an allergic reaction may be itchy. Scratching can skew the results, so help your child resist the urge to scratch.
Getting the Results
After about 15 to 20 minutes, the allergist will check your child’s skin and determine which allergens caused a reaction. Using these results, the allergist may recommend medicines, environmental changes, emergency medications to have on hand (such as an EpiPen®) or immunotherapy, depending on the allergy type and severity.
If you are looking for clarity around your child’s allergies, call Albany ENT & Allergy Services today to discuss further!