Understanding Environmental Allergies in Kids
Environmental allergies occur when the immune system reacts to common substances in the environment that are normally harmless. These allergens can trigger symptoms that affect your child’s nose, eyes, skin, throat, breathing and overall health/comfort.
Common environmental allergens include:
Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds, Dust mites, Mold, Pet dander, Indoor irritants.
Children with environmental allergies may experience:
Sneezing
Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Itchy or watery eyes
Chronic cough
Frequent throat clearing
Worsening asthma symptoms
Poor sleep quality
What is an Allergy Skin Test?
An Allergy Skin Test (also known as a skin prick test) is a quick, safe and effective method to help identify what substances trigger allergic reactions. Your provider gently pricks or scratches your skin with small amounts of allergens such as pollen, pet dander, mold or dust mites. If you are allergic, small red bump will appear on your skin. This testing is performed on the back or forearm and is generally well tolerated by children. Results are available within 15-20 minutes.
What Do We Test For?
Our environmental allergy testing is carefully designed to reflect the most common allergens affecting children and families in the East Tennessee region. We test for a wide range of local environmental triggers that are prevalent in our area, including:
Trees
Grasses
Weeds
Molds
Dust Mites
Pet Dander
Because allergy patterns can vary significantly by region, our testing panels are curated specifically for East Tennessee exposures to help provide more accurate, meaningful results and personalized treatment recommendations for your child
Why Does My Child Need Testing?
At Allergy for Kids, we perform allergy testing to help identify potential triggers and create a personalized treatment plan for your child.
Treatment Recommendations may include:
Environmental Avoidance Program
Medication Guidance
Seasonal Allergy Management
Allergy Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)
Sublingual Immunotherapy (Allergy Drops)
Our goal is to help children (and parents) breathe easier, play harder, sleep better, and enjoy everyday activities with fewer allergy symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Allergy for Kids, we perform allergy testing to help identify potential triggers and create a personalized treatment plan for your child.
Does allergy skin testing hurt?
Most Children tolerate skin testing very well. These tests use tiny surface scratches on the skin rather than needles and many children describe it as a feeling more “itchy” than painful.
How long does allergy testing take?
The actual testing portion of the visit is usually completed within 20-30 minutes, though your full visit may take longer to allow time for history taking, evaluation of symptoms, discussion or results and individualized treatment plan.
At what age can children have allergy testing?
Many Children can undergo allergy testing at a young age depending on their symptoms and medical history. Allergy scratch testing can be performed as young as 6 months of age under proper supervision. We evaluate each child individually to determine what is most appropriate.
Will my child have an allergic reaction during testing?
Severe reactions during routine skin testing are uncommon. Testing is performed in a controlled medical setting with trained staff present throughout the process.
Do allergy medications need to be stopped before testing?
Certain antihistamines and allergy medications may interfere with testing results and may need to be temporarily stopped beforehand. Our office will provide detailed instructions prior to your appointment.
What should my child wear to the appointment?
Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended. Depending on the testing location, we may test on the back or forearms.
How quickly will we get results?
Results are typically available during the same appointment, allowing us to review findings and discuss treatment recommendations right away.
