There are a few ways to find out if your child is allergic or not. Depending on the symptoms and what we find on examination, the correct allergy test or tests will be selected. Putting all pieces together will connect the dots in a meaningful way helping us reach the correct diagnosis and advise appropriate treatment.
Does every child who visits the clinic need allergy testing?
The answer is No! Depending on your child’s history and nature of the reaction, we will decide if your child needs allergy testing or not.
Skin Prick Test
The Skin prick skin test involves injecting a tiny amount of allergen into the superficial layer of the skin usually on the surface of your child’s forearm with the help of a special device and then observing the reaction at the site. If your child is allergic to any of the allergens tested, you will see localised swelling (called wheal) and redness ( called flare) at the site of the test within 15-20 minutes which usually disappear in 30 minute. It is important to remember that a positive test by itself is not diagnostic of allergy. Dr. Abass will provide meaningful interpretation of the test result and what it means for your child.
- This test is designed to determine if your child has an allergy to what he inhales or consumes.
How should you prepare before you come in for skin testing?
Allergy medications like antihistamines interfere with interpretation of the test and may result in false negative tests. Some medications are okay to take before an allergy test and others are not.
Allergy medications like antihistamine tablets/syrups should not be taken for three or preferably seven days before testing as these will interfere with the interpretation of the test and may result in false negative test results. It is also preferable to avoid topical creams and moisturisers on the forearms of your child on the day of the test, to minimise the likelihood that allergen extracts will run into each other.
Blood allergy test
In certain situations e.g. unable to discontinue medication, certain skin conditions, bee stings, when a particular allergen is not commercially available or family preference, blood tests may be requested to help decide if your child is allergic to food, sting or inhaled allergens.
In general, the blood allergy tests are less sensitive (may miss allergies in many instances), are more expensive, and take more time to have results.
For more information
Understanding Allergies
https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-testing/allergy-testing
Educational website for young people with severe allergies
Anaphylaxis action plans
https://www.allergy.org.au/hp//ascia-plans-action-and-treatment
Information about allergies
