Allergy Testing for Children?

[{sarah}]

I'm just wondering what is involved & at what age testing would be done?

J has really bad skin & after a Dr appointment today, he seems to think it may be allergies, possible pollen or dust. We have an appointment to see a pediatric dermatologist but my GP seems to think she'll be too young for allergy testing at the moment.

Also does anyone know of how we can deal with a potential pollen / dust allergy before we find out for sure?

[2CheekyMonkeys]

i think they test around 12 months of age. i think dd1 had her first test around 10/11ish months. they did a skin pr*ck test. they draw a circle on the arm, put a drop of liquid inside (liquid contains the specific allergen) then use a little sharp thing to ***** the liquid into the skin. depending on area of redness that comes up will determine how strong the allergy is. dd1 had redness way outside the circle at first test so she was very allergic to it.

[Mum2SweetCs]

My family doc said they are useless for DD's eczema testing as intolerance will not be picked up and allergies can be developed later on.

I really wanted to get DD tested too but the children's hospital always gave me the excuse that they were too busy (long story)

Anyway, the advice i got from DD's dust issue was to get Allergend (which is a dust mite cover for the cot) or to change the cot sheets regulary.

Make sure the room is clean and no mould.

Best of luck

[Mumma2three]

they will suggest no carpet, so it's strongly advised to get floorboards, if allergy is severe. There are also special bedcovers which Dr's usually have a booklet on. I give my kids claratyne when allergies play up. xo

[{sarah}]

Thanks for the link

We have carpet only in the bedrooms & toy room, floorboards in the main part of the house.