Pediatric Allergy Testing: What Fresno Parents Need to Know

There’s nothing more alarming than having your child suffering from allergies. Yet, a Soliant list of the 10 U.S. cities “Where You’re Most Likely to Get Sick.” Fresno ranked a dismal 2nd. Poor air quality and allergens are the top two reasons Fresno’s kids are sicker than they need to be. Those two factors are more damaging to a child’s health than cold/flu germs. 

Per 2021 CDC statistics, 18.9% of children have seasonal allergies, 10.8% have atopic dermatitis or eczema, and 5.8% have food allergies. More than a quarter of the nation’s children between infancy and the age of 17 have at least one allergy. It’s a lot, but medical advancements also make it easier to find solutions that end the body’s histamine response.

The Impact of Allergies in Children

Kids can develop allergies to many things. Some cannot go outside in the spring without suffering from seasonal allergies to tree or grass pollen. Inside the home, there are pet dander, mold, and dust mite allergies.

Head back outside and some children are allergic to bee stings. Allergies to chemicals or ingredients in skin care or laundry cleaning products are another risk. Finally, there are allergies to foods that can be dangerous.

Symptoms depend on the allergy. Seasonal allergies often present with sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, and nasal congestion. Ear infections are another possible sign of allergies. The symptoms of pet dander, dust mites, and mold allergies are similar. They can become severe enough that asthma attacks are a risk.

Food allergies can be alarming, and the symptoms depend on the food. A child with peanut, nut, or seafood allergies may feel the lips, tongue, and throat swell. It can block the airway. Blood pressure can drop significantly and put the body in a state of shock. An epi-pen is commonly used to prevent severe reactions. Avoidance of that food is important, but it can be difficult to avoid all exposure.

Milk, lactose, and gluten allergies can cause severe intestinal pain, nausea/vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, and blood in the stool. Some children also experience headaches, skin rashes, and hives with these allergies.

When a child has an allergy, it can cause restrictions that make it hard for that kid to do the same things that their friends and relatives get to do. A child with a milk allergy won’t be allowed to have the milk served with a school lunch, which can make the child stand out. A child with tree pollen allergies won’t be able to play outside at recess without having symptoms flare up.

Suppose your son’s class is taking a field trip to a local farm. Your child has allergies to animal dander, so your son can’t go without precautions in place. The necessary precautions may not be reasonable for a busy farm to implement. Instead, your son stays home and feels left out and sad. 

Your daughter likes to be outside with her friends at recess, but a neighboring property has dozens of bee hives. Your daughter is severely allergic to the bees that land on the clover in the schoolyard. As a precaution, you ask her teacher to keep her inside. She’s upset that she’s isolated from her friends.

With better solutions to allergies today, there’s no reason to make your child suffer from allergies throughout childhood. Pediatric allergy testing is the first step to take.

Should You Consider Pediatric Allergy Testing?

The minute your child’s life is impacted by allergies, it’s worth scheduling a visit with an allergy doctor. If your child continually misses school due to the symptoms of an allergy, experiences frequent ear infections with sinus congestion, or has food allergies, ask your child’s pediatrician for guidance in finding a better solution.

It’s also important to determine exactly what allergens affect your child. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell. You switched laundry detergents and hives and a skin rash followed. Is it the fragrances in the new detergent or a specific ingredient? Allergy testing can pinpoint the exact allergens to make it easier to avoid them in the future.

Don’t let fears of the cost of allergy testing keep you from taking that route. With a referral from your child’s pediatrician, there may be insurance coverage available to cover all or most of the tests. It depends on the plan you have.

How Do Allergy Tests Work?

There are three main forms of allergy tests for kids.  The first is the most common and it’s faster than others. A skin prick test inserts a tiny amount of an allergen into the upper layers of the skin to check for a reaction.

A second option is a blood test that measures the antibodies in the blood after exposure to the allergen. The final option is used for food allergies and involves a supervised clinical setting where medical professionals are nearby in case of a severe reaction to a specific food.

Before the test, your child cannot have taken any medications. It’s important to skip over-the-counter allergy medications and any prescription medications prior to the administration of the test. Children using omalizumab for asthma may not get accurate results. Your child’s allergy doctor will tell you how long in advance the medications need to be stopped and how to get prepared.

Watching your child suffer from the symptoms before and even during allergy tests is stressful. It’s important to keep your child calm and even distracted. Consider having special treats available, such as a movie your child has wanted to see or a new book.

The Future of Pediatric Allergies

After the allergy tests, you’ll consult with an allergist-immunologist. There are three options for long-term allergy relief available, and some are better than others for pediatric allergies. 

Prescription allergy medications may be advised, but there are also allergy shots that can be painful to a child, but the relief is worthwhile. Slow exposure to an allergen helps the body learn how to respond without triggering severe histamine responses. Immunotherapy options include:

• Allergy shots given each week for several years.
• A series of three allergy shots is injected into a lymph node.
• Daily oral immunotherapy is given under the tongue via a drop or dissolvable tablet each day for several years.

The best option depends on the age of your child. A toddler may not understand the shots, but a teen may be a better candidate for intralymphatic immunotherapy shots.

Asthma is a concern for children with allergies. Keeping an inhaler available and making sure your child and anyone with your child understands how to use it. The same is true if your child needs an epi-pen for food or insect sting allergies. Education is vital for you, your child, and anyone with your child, such as a teacher, babysitter, or close friend.

Whether your child is suffering from environmental allergens like tree or grass pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold or has food allergies, see a doctor for expert advice in finding a lasting solution. Regular check-ups with that allergy doctor are highly advised. Premium Allergy offers pediatric allergy testing and real solutions that help your child feel better and enjoy being a kid. Learn more by scheduling an appointment today.