Children's allergy tests: what are they?

Children's allergy tests varies and is useful in clinical practice as allergies are one of the main reasons for consulting with specialists. Find out more about it!

Do you want to know what allergy tests are for children? Allergies are characterized by an overreaction of the body to exposure to a certain substance. The body recognizes such a substance as foreign and dangerous to the body, thus over-activating the immune system. In severe cases, allergic reactions can even be life-threatening.

Allergic rhinitis, hives and bronchial asthma are just a few examples of diseases that may explain what common allergic processes are. Fortunately, children's tendency to these reactions can be diagnosed with a variety of examinations and tests. Do you want to know more about them?

Allergy tests in children - common types

While skin tests are the most common and well-known, there are also other options that allergists and other specialists (such as pulmonologists) use to help diagnose these problems. Here are the most important of them!

Blood tests

Most blood tests that are useful in diagnosing allergies measure the level of immunoglobulin E. This is a type of antibody that is very important in allergic reactions, and if the blood test shows elevated levels, doctors consider it a predisposition to develop allergic disorders.

There are many types of immunoglobulin E (as many as there are agents capable of causing allergies in children), therefore blood tests usually focus on two main groups: total IgE and specific IgE.

The first, as the name suggests, is the sum of all these antibodies in the sample. The second test, on the other hand, relates to the number of antibodies that the body targets against a given factor.

Skin allergy tests in children

Skin tests are the most common and generally involve injecting a small amount of the agent that the specialist wants to measure the patient's immune response. As these are very low concentrations, in the vast majority of cases there are no adverse reactions apart from slight point redness of the skin.

Respiratory function tests

In the diagnosis of many diseases of the respiratory system, pulmonologists use numerous tests, such as spirometry. We collectively call them functional breath tests. Their diagnostic utility ranges from asthma to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), to name but a few of the most popular.

There are very few cases where these tests can diagnose an allergy as such. They help detect lung disease in any patient, whether or not they are actually allergic. For example, a spirometric test makes it possible to diagnose bronchial asthma, which, despite the allergic component, is not the only sensitization effect.

Exposure, challenge and tolerance tests

As the name suggests, these are tests that involve the patient's exposure to certain substances in order to verify the body's response. They must be held in health centers that have the resources to deal with emergencies, but severe side effects from their use are quite rare.

According to the Clinical Immunology, Allergology and Pediatric Asthma, there are several routes of exposure to these substances: oral, conjunctival, nasal and bronchial.

Why is skin allergy testing in children so important?

You are probably wondering why these children's allergy tests are so popular and so common? The answer is simple. This has a lot to do with their practicality, low cost and the specificity of the diagnosis itself. Here are some of these reasons.

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How and when do doctors perform skin tests?

The doctors responsible for performing this type of test are allergists. In most cases, the pediatrician will refer small patients to these specialists because, under certain conditions, they have developed bothersome or severe symptoms. For example, these may be bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis or frequent food allergies.

Hence, allergy tests in children help diagnose and prevent certain conditions. To find out if your child needs it, go to the pediatrician and talk to them about these tests.

What happens if the test is positive?

Doctors believe that the tests are positive when a local lesion forms on the skin, which is characterized by enlargement, swelling, and redness. The largest diameter should be at least three millimeters.

In this case, the doctor may propose preventive recommendations (especially regarding diet) and treatment with antihistamines, immunomodulators and steroids, depending on the specific case of the patient.

Advantages and disadvantages of skin tests

The prevalence of atopy in the general population is very high. This term refers to the tendency to develop allergic reactions. For this reason, it is helpful for a person with a suspected allergy to know which other substances they react in a similar manner to.

Obviously, this is very useful in the nutrition field as it helps to avoid unnecessary exposure to potentially life-threatening foods.

Regarding the disadvantages of such tests, the possibility of severe side effects (including difficulty breathing, swelling of the entire body, and severe rashes) requires the involvement of medical specialists in facilities trained to deal with emergencies.

Necessary and important tests for the detection of allergies

All these studies help to better understand the health of children. In some severe cases, they must be accompanied by lifestyle changes so that children can live a normal and safe life. But the first step is diagnosis!

Finally, if you have any doubts, go to your pediatrician or allergist as they will know best what to do in your case.