Allergy Testing And Your Young Child
Posted on: 26 April 2019
If your child has been showing signs of allergies to certain foods, pets, or environmental factors, your child's doctor may suggest visiting an allergy specialist at a clinic like The Regional Allergy Asthma & Immunology Center, PC. Allergy testing is specific testing that is done to determine what your child is allergic to. With skin testing, the potential allergen is introduced by a tiny scratch on the surface of your child's skin. The allergy specialist will measure the response to see if it is positive or negative. Blood testing can also be done to check for allergies, but skin testing is the most common and most useful. When you are nervous about taking your child in for allergy testing, understand that it is a safe way to gather information about your child's health.
Symptoms of Allergies in Children
When your child has a chronic stuffy nose, watery or itchy eyes, or lots of sneezing without a fever, these generally indicate that an allergy is present. Children can show signs of allergies at any time, and your pediatrician may first suggest allergy medication to take care of the symptoms. If the symptoms don't resolve or reactions become more severe, it's time to see an allergy specialist.
Hives, Swelling, and Anaphylaxis
Hives are a reaction of the body that shows up in either clear or tiny red bumps. They arrive almost immediately and subside often just as quickly. If your child begins itching their skin and you see hives, it's important to watch their condition for further symptoms. Swelling can occur if your child is stung by an insect they are allergic too. If they begin to struggle with nausea, vomit, or have trouble breathing, this is a life-threatening emergency. Anaphylaxis occurs when your child is dangerously allergic to a substance and their body reacts by swelling up and going into shock.
Allergy Testing to Pinpoint Allergens
Allergy testing is done to give you a clear picture of what is making your child sick. With the information, it becomes easier to stay away from allergens so that your child is not exposed. As children can outgrow allergies, your child's allergy specialist may require yearly allergy testing to see if anything has changed.
When your child has serious allergies, it's time for further investigation. Once the allergens are discovered through testing, you can develop strategies to decrease exposure. Allergy testing is a beneficial tool that gives you this information in a safe manner. With better information, you will have an easier time protecting your child.
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