Understanding exactly what triggers your child’s allergic reactions is essential for effective management and treatment. After accurate food allergy testing, your Atlanta allergist will have the information needed to develop a personalized allergy care plan. So when you’re getting ready to take your child for an allergy test, it’s important to take certain steps first. Here are some practical strategies to help families prepare for a visit.
How to Prepare for Pediatric Food Allergy Testing
Experiencing allergy symptoms after consuming eggs, milk, nuts and other foods is a stressful event for both children and parents. Making the right preparations for a food allergy test will help you get the proper advice and support needed to manage symptoms and prevent reactions.
Discuss Food Allergy Testing With Your Child
Reassuring your child about the safety of allergy testing is one important step. Avoid using complicated terms and use language that’s age-appropriate. And if a child seems anxious, it can be helpful to focus on the purpose of testing and the need to determine the allergen that’s causing discomfort.
Talk to Your Food Allergist About Medication
Be sure to let your allergist know what medications (if any) your child takes. While most drugs and supplements won’t interfere with allergy testing, an allergist may request that a child temporarily stop taking certain meds, as antihistamines (and other compounds) could interfere with test results.
Wear Comfortable Clothes for the Allergy Test
Skin prick testing is most likely to be used to assist with a food allergy diagnosis. This approach allows an allergist to test multiple allergens and get results within an hour. To enable easy access to the forearm or back for testing, dress your child in comfortable clothing. After receiving a food allergy diagnosis, your allergist can then develop a personalized treatment plan.
Prepare for Some Waiting Time
Once the skin prick test has been administered, a waiting period of around 15 minutes is needed to check for reactions. You can bring toys, books or other small items to keep your child calm and occupied during the wait. These simple distractions are often enough to help your child deal with this new experience and prevent stress.
Monitor for Delayed Allergic Reactions
Food allergy symptoms usually appear very soon after eating the triggering food. However, it’s absolutely possible to experience a reaction several hours later, or even a day after contact. Parents should watch for signs of hives, swelling, stomach pains and breathing difficulties during this period. Your allergist will provide a comprehensive food allergy treatment plan after the diagnosis that often includes prescribing the use of epinephrine auto-injectors in case of emergency.
Expert Food Allergy Testing Services in Atlanta
If your child experiences allergy symptoms after eating, visit one of our Atlanta area centers for food allergy testing. We provide comprehensive testing and treatment services for food allergies. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment today.
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