Allergy Tests at SuraMed Health Center

Roughly one in three children experience allergies. Early detection is the best way to help ease your child’s allergy discomfort and avoid asthma! Allergy testing can be performed on children six (6) months of age and older. With many options available, allergy tests have come a long way. Continue reading to learn when to identify if your child needs an allergy test and what types of allergy tests we offer at our clinics.

When should my child be given an allergy test? If your child gets a reaction after eating a particular food or sniffles during pollen season, it might be time for an allergy test. The lasting and overbearing allergy symptoms that your child experiences can negatively affect their diet, education, sleep routine, and well-being.

Types of Child Allergy Tests

The following is a list of allergy tests that your child may or may not have to take:

• Patch test: Patch tests are generally painless and help detect allergic reactions that may be delayed. Patch tests are performed by placing a patch with allergens on your child’s skin (most commonly on their back). Typically, the patch is left on for 24-48 hours before removing it. If your child experiences an intense reaction to the allergy test, please immediately contact medical professionals for a patch test for allergy 
• Puncture test: A puncture or skin prick test will immediately check for up to 50 allergic reactions. Puncture tests are performed by placing an allergen on your child’s skin (forearm or back) and ‘pricking’ it. Your child’s skin will then be immediately checked for a reaction. The most common reasons for allergy puncture tests include pet dander, dust mites, food, mold, and pollen.
• Skin injection test: Skin allergy testing, or intradermal testing, is done using a needle to place a small amount of allergen under your child’s skin and check for a reaction. Please remember that ‘skin tests’ can cause anaphylaxis in patients susceptible to specific allergens. If you are seeking an allergy test for hives, please consult your child’s pediatrician before allowing any skin test to be performed on your child.
• Elimination diet: Elimination diets mean that your child must cut out certain foods from their diet. These foods generally include eggs, milk, wheat, soy, fish, and nuts. With an elimination diet, you will soon learn if any of the foods are causing them to have specific allergy symptoms. This type of child allergy testtends to be lengthy because it involves eliminating one food at a time.
• Blood test: Blood tests are beneficial and may be recommended because they do not have the risk of adverse reactions. This is excellent news for sensitive and highly affected by specific allergens. To administer this test, your child will have their blood drawn and sent to lab testing. It takes roughly 1 to 2 days to process this type of test. If your child requires anallergy test for asthma, please bring your concerns up to their doctor. 

Please remember that allergy tests can give false results, so they do not always give the final verdict when it comes to a specific allergy your child may have. Your child’s pediatrician will consider many factors when diagnosing and treating your child for allergies. Allergy treatment plans look different for every child, and a single treatment plan should not be considered for all children.

Please get in touch with your child’s pediatrician if your child has any of the following:

• Hives and rashes
• Coughing and wheezing
• Cold-like symptoms lasting over a week and at the same time every year
• Asthma symptoms
• Itchiness

If you seek a pediatric allergy test in Wellington or elsewhere in Palm Beach County, please visit our website at Suramedhealthcenter.com. We offer child allergy testing in Wellington and beyond.