Child allergies

[rov1200]

What method is used by Doctors to test a six year old for allergies especially when he has had symptoms of a swollen face and unable to breath properly. Adults usually have a blood test. Also is the handing out of anti-histamines sufficient not to warrent a full examination?

[redcrx]

if an adult usually has a blood test then i would think itd be the same for a child.

[daffy654]

The child should be referred to the hospital to see an allergist,a blood test will be taken and a full medical examination will be performed. Once the results of the blood test are available the child and parents will be called back to the hospital and told what substance/s the child is allergic to (if any),then the family will be told how to manage this...any epi-pens needed will be prescribed (ask for ana-pens,they are easier to use), a home visit by a specialist nurse is sometimes arranged to show the family how to administer the epi-pen.

[Sqad]

Accurate history and examination is essential, followed by:

a) Skin Provocation Tests.
b) Nasal Provocation Tests (if appropriate)
c) R.A.S.T (BLOOD Tests)

[daffy654]

Not all hospitals perform the skin prick test now sqad. My daughter never had one despite several admissions to hospital for anaphylaxis.

[rov1200]

Sqad can you provide more details in laymans language

[Sqad]

Yes.
Depending upon what type of allergy that you are suspecting i.e inhalant(Hay fever) or ingestants (peanuts) will depend upon what tests will be helpful.

Inhalants do well with Skin Provocation tests where the antigens of Grass Pollens or House dust Mite are injected into the arm and the reaction determined after a period of time is noted and graded according tot the reaction. Many suspected allergens can be tested at the same time.

Food allergies can be tested in this way, but are not as accurate as Food Elimination Tests.

These types of allergies evoke a blood response where levels of IgE are raised and this can be assayed in the R.A.S.T test.

Google Skin Provocation Tests and Food Elimination Tests for a more complete explanation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAST_test..........try this for the blood tests.

These would not be appropriate for one or perhaps two episodes of allergy symptoms, but for more persistent symptoms, all these would be available to an Allergy Clinic as pointed out by daffy.

Any further help do not hesitate to contact me, as this is a brief assessment of a complicated condition.

There is also a con tributor on AB called LazyGun whose expertise may be greater than mine here.

[rov1200]

Thanks sqad, the little lad is seeing the doctor later today

[Sqad]

rov....pleasure.....keep us informed.