In the U.S., allergy is a household problem in young kids, with about 6.5% of children having food allergies, 7.7% of children having hay fever, and 13.5% of children having skin allergies.
In some cases, allergies have scary health consequences. Children can lose their sleep and miss school because they were coughing all night. Sometimes allergies have dangerous reactions to an insect sting or food exposure. In case of a food allergy, it is crucial to know the source of symptoms as soon as possible. Anaphylaxis is caused by the most common food items and can develop life-threatening allergies in children.
If you notice your children having sneezing fits or developing hives after eating a specific food item, you should consider them to undergo allergy testing. The quicker you identify the problem, the quicker your children can go back to regular life.
When Is Allergy Testing?
While undergoing an allergy test, the laboratory will perform tests on your skin, blood tests, and diet to understand the sensitivity to common allergens such as:
- Pollen
- Molds
- Animals
- Insect stings
- Foods items
- Medications
When Should You Consider Allergy Testing For Your Children?
If your children respiratory conditions, your doctor will suggest an allergy test. Other indicators of allergies include:
- Cough
- Rhinitis
- Wheezing
- Rashes on the skin
- Hives
- Itchy eyes or skin
- Digestion problems
Allergy testing will help you understand if your child has an allergy, or is it something else.
Who Can Test Your Children for Allergies?
In case your doctor suspects your child has allergies, they will refer you to an allergist or immunologist who is a specialist in allergy testing and understanding their reactions.
How Is An Allergy Test Done?
The three main types of allergy tests are:
- Skin test
- Blood test
- Diet test
As per your doctor’s inputs, the allergist will choose the most appropriate allergy test for you. or a combination of tests.
How Much Does An Allergy Test Cost?
An allergy test can range you between $60 to $1000; hence you will have to work with your doctor to ensure only the required thousands are done. A skin test ranges from $60 to $300, and a blood test ranges from $200 to $1,000. In most cases, health insurance does not cover allergy tests, but you should check before undergoing an allergy test, in case your health insurance does.
Suppose you suspect any similar symptoms in your child and are worried if it’s an allergy, contact Pediatric Healthcare. Call us at (281)655-1500 or (936)539-8190 to schedule your appointment.
