{"id":5956,"date":"2019-09-25T09:00:59","date_gmt":"2019-09-25T13:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=5956"},"modified":"2020-07-23T11:41:35","modified_gmt":"2020-07-23T15:41:35","slug":"allergy-testing-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/allergy-testing-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"When to allergy test your child"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Worldwide, the sensitization rate to common allergens among school children is approaching 40% to 50%, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldallergy.org\/wao-white-book-on-allergy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">World Allergy Organization<\/a> (WAO). In the United States, 6.5% of children have food allergies, 7.7% of children have hay fever, and 13.5% of children have skin allergies, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchs\/fastats\/allergies.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">National Health Interview Survey data<\/a>. The bottom line: Allergies are a common problem for households with young kids.<\/p>\n<p>When allergies are acute, they can have scary health consequences. Kids can lose sleep or miss school after being up all night coughing. Or, in severe cases, have a dangerous reaction to an insect sting or food exposure. Especially with food allergies, it\u2019s important to find the source of symptoms as soon as possible for your child\u2019s safety. \u201cFood is one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis, a rapidly developing and life-threatening allergic reaction, in children, accounting for up to 81% of cases,\u201d says Lakiea Wright, MD, medical director of U.S. clinical affairs at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/us\/en\/home.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thermo Fisher Scientific<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If your child has sneezing fits at certain times of year, or develops hives after eating a particular snack\u2014that aren\u2019t controlled by allergy medication\u2014it may be time to consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/mixing-allergy-medicine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">allergy testing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The sooner you identify what\u2019s causing symptoms, the sooner you can treat symptoms so your child can go back to regular life.<\/p>\n<h2>What is allergy testing?<\/h2>\n<p>Allergy testing is a process of skin tests, blood tests, or elimination diet tests that try to pinpoint sensitivity to common allergens such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Plant pollen<\/li>\n<li>Molds<\/li>\n<li>Animal dander<\/li>\n<li>Insect stings<\/li>\n<li>Foods (e.g., peanuts, eggs, milk, shellfish, or wheat)<\/li>\n<li>Medications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cThese tests can aid in the diagnosis of food allergies and more,\u201d Dr. Wright says. \u201cFor example, there is also testing available for common environmental allergies including dust mites, mold, animal dander, and pollens.\u201d The type of testing varies, depending on if your child has environmental or food allergies.<\/p>\n<h2>When should parents consider allergy testing kids?<\/h2>\n<p>Physicians may recommend allergy testing if your child has a respiratory condition like asthma to find out what triggers symptoms. \u201cAny child with concerns for environmental allergies should undergo allergy testing,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/medicine.yale.edu\/people\/search\/gary_soffer.profile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gary Soffer, MD<\/a>, an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the <a href=\"https:\/\/medicine.yale.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yale School of Medicine<\/a>. \u201cThis helps guide our recommendations for avoidance of triggers, and potentially for immunotherapy in the future.\u201d Common <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthychildren.org\/English\/health-issues\/conditions\/allergies-asthma\/pages\/Allergies.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">indicators of allergies<\/a> or an allergic reaction in children include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Rhinitis (sneezing, congestion, runny nose, or nasal drip)<\/li>\n<li>Cough<\/li>\n<li>Wheezing<\/li>\n<li>Skin rashes<\/li>\n<li>Hives<\/li>\n<li>Itchy eyes or skin<\/li>\n<li>Digestion problems (cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Children with environmental allergies, \u201coften present with nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and sneezing,\u201d Dr. Soffer says. \u201cThe most concerning symptom, to me, is snoring and mouth breathing because it typically means the child is getting a poor night&#8217;s sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Allergy testing kids can help determine if your child\u2019s symptoms are allergy-related or caused by something else.<\/p>\n<p>However, if you only suspect your child might have a food sensitivity, testing doesn\u2019t always make sense. \u201cTesting for food allergies should never be performed without a clear history of a clinical reaction,\u201d explains Dr. Soffer. \u201cFood panels that are, unfortunately, commonly sent tend to have very high false positive rates and often lead to the unnecessary avoidance of food. It is important to discuss your results with a board-certified allergist who has the resources to perform oral food challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Who can test a child for allergies?<\/h2>\n<p>If your pediatrician thinks your child might have allergies, he or she will likely refer you to see an allergist or immunologist who specializes in allergic reactions and allergy testing.<\/p>\n<h2>How old does your child have to be to get an allergy test?<\/h2>\n<p>Many parents believe that children must reach a certain age before allergies develop. In actuality, children of any age can have and be tested for allergies according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/acaai.org\/allergies\/allergy-treatment\/allergy-testing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">American College of Allergy, Asthma, &amp; Immunology<\/a> (ACAAI).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA simple blood test can be performed at any age (from infants to the elderly),\u201d Dr. Wright agrees. \u201cWhen a child has an allergy, it can surface for the first time at any age. Some children stop reacting to certain allergens, such as milk and egg, as they grow, but allergies to foods like nuts tend to remain.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>How do they test kids for allergies?<\/h2>\n<p>There are three main types of <a href=\"https:\/\/acaai.org\/allergies\/allergy-treatment\/allergy-testing\/allergy-testing-children-and-infants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">allergy testing<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Skin tests<\/li>\n<li>Blood tests<\/li>\n<li>Elimination diet tests<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Depending on the type of allergy suspected, the allergist will choose the most appropriate allergy test or combination of tests. \u201cThe diagnosis of food allergy is complicated,\u201d says Dr. Wright. \u201cIn addition to obtaining a detailed clinical history from the patient, many allergists will use a combination of blood and skin testing to confirm a diagnosis.\u201d Here\u2019s what you can expect at your child\u2019s allergy test.<\/p>\n<h3>Allergy skin tests<\/h3>\n<p>The most common types of skin tests for children are prick or \u201cscratch\u201d tests, intradermal tests, and patch tests. \u201cSkin testing tends to be the most affordable and has the highest predictive value for allergies,\u201d Dr. Soffer says. In a skin prick test, the allergist will tap a small amount of the allergen onto the surface of your child\u2019s skin with a needle. In an intradermal test, the allergist injects a very small amount of the allergen into the top layer of your child\u2019s skin. For patch tests, allergens are applied to adhesive, which are worn on the arm for 48 hours. If your child is allergic, a raised, red bump\u2013that looks and feels like a mosquito bite\u2014will appear.<\/p>\n<p>Typically your child will have a reaction to a prick test or intradermal test within 20 minutes or less, though sometimes redness can appear several hours or up to 48 hours after the allergy test. An allergist will check the reaction to a patch test at set times after the patch is removed. For children with severe allergies, skin tests can sometimes trigger anaphylaxis.<\/p>\n<h3>Allergy blood tests<\/h3>\n<p>There are many different types of blood tests, depending on the suspected allergen. \u201cBlood testing is often necessary for a multitude of reasons and is an excellent alternative to skin testing,\u201d Dr. Soffer explains.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA blood test can also help to identify the specific allergenic proteins that trigger food reactions\u2014this type of testing is called allergen component testing,\u201d Dr. Wright says. \u201cFor example, if your child has a milk allergy, your health care provider can use your child\u2019s clinical history along with the results of component testing to determine if your child needs to avoid milk in all forms or if your child may be able to tolerate baked milk products like cookies, cakes, or muffins.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Your child will have blood drawn, and receive allergy test results after a lab processes them\u2014typically in one to two days. Your allergist may recommend blood tests if your child is highly sensitive to allergens because there is no risk of an adverse reaction.<\/p>\n<h3>Elimination diet tests<\/h3>\n<p>When food allergies are suspected, allergists might recommend a very restricted diet that eliminates certain foods that could be causing an adverse reaction.<\/p>\n<p>The most common food allergens are milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodallergy.org\/life-with-food-allergies\/food-allergy-101\/facts-and-statistics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">FARE<\/a>. Allergists may recommend elimination diets for a week or longer, and will supervise reactions as foods are removed. If an elimination diet is too difficult to follow, or the allergist suspects your child has outgrown a food allergy, he or she may try a food challenge\u2014giving a small amount of the suspected food in a controlled setting to gauge reaction.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOnce we know what a patient is allergic to the first goal of management is to avoid the things that are causing symptoms,\u201d Dr. Soffer explains. \u201cWe work with families on ways to control their child\u2019s environment. If this is not effective, then medication or allergy shots are often necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s scary when you suspect your child might have an allergy, but the sooner you identify what\u2019s really causing symptoms, the sooner you can determine a treatment plan to eliminate them\u2013and get back to normal life.<\/p>\n<h2>How much does an allergy test cost?<\/h2>\n<p>The cost of allergy testing can range from $60 to thousands of dollars, so it\u2019s important to work with your doctor to choose the right tests for your child. Skin tests range from $60 to $300. Blood tests can cost from $200 to $1,000, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.choosingwisely.org\/patient-resources\/allergy-tests\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ABIM Foundation<\/a>. Depending on your coverage, health insurance may or may not cover these tests.<\/p>\n<p>Pharmacy discount cards, like SingleCare, can help reduce the price of allergy medications, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/zyrtec-allergy-childrens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zyrtec<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/cetirizine-hcl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">cetirizine<\/a>), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/allegra-allergy-childrens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Allegra<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/fexofenadine-hcl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">fexofenadine<\/a>), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/claritin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Claritin<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/loratadine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">loratadine<\/a>), or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/benadryl-allergy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Benadryl<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/diphenhydramine-hcl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">diphenhydramine<\/a>).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Worldwide, the sensitization rate to common allergens among school children is approaching 40% to 50%, according to the World Allergy Organization (WAO). In the United States, 6.5% of children have food allergies, 7.7% of children have hay fever, and 13.5% of children have skin allergies, according to National Health Interview Survey data. The bottom line: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":11727,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8029],"tags":[554],"coauthors":[8869],"class_list":["post-5956","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","tag-allergies","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Allergy testing for kids: What parents need to know<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Nearly half of all school children are sensitive to common allergens, but allergy testing kids isn\u2019t always necessary. 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