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As a parent, ensuring your child’s health and comfort is paramount. One crucial aspect of this is understanding and managing potential allergies. Our expert paediatric nursing staff are here to help with a reliable and efficient diagnostic tool: the skin prick test. We are proud to offer this essential service for babies aged 4 months and older, providing results within just 15 minutes
To enquire about the cost of a skin prick test, please contact us or check our fees page for more common tests.
We are located at Charlwood, West Sussex, making us easily accessible to treat children living near Crawley, Worthing, Chichester, Waterlooville, Havant, Portsmouth, Brighton, Dorking, Surrey, and all nearby areas.
A skin prick test is a quick, simple, and minimally invasive procedure used to identify specific allergens that may cause allergic reactions in your child. During the test, a small amount of various common allergens is applied to the skin, typically on the forearm. The skin is then lightly pricked to allow the allergen to penetrate the outer layer. If your child is allergic to any of the substances, a small raised bump resembling a mosquito bite will appear at the site.
The test can identify a wide range of allergens, including:
If allergen solutions are not available, prick-to-prick testing with real food can also be performed.
Skin prick testing helps doctors diagnose symptoms such as chronic cough, sneezing, itchy eyes, wheezing, abdominal pain, eczema, or nasal congestion. Identifying the cause of these symptoms, particularly food allergies, can be challenging as they can present with various signs affecting different organs, including the skin, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal tract. Early detection of allergies can significantly improve your child’s quality of life and prevent potential health issues.
Antihistamines and corticosteroids can inhibit skin reactions. Therefore, it is essential to stop all medications containing antihistamines at least three days before the appointment. Systemic steroids should be discontinued the day before the test, and topical steroids should not be applied to the arms.
Our Paediatric Allergy Consultant will discuss your child’s clinical history with you and determine which allergens to test for. During the skin prick test, the nurse will apply the test allergen to your child’s skin, usually on the forearm, using a blunt lancet to introduce the allergen. If your child has an immediate allergy to the substance, a wheal will typically form within 10-15 minutes.
Skin prick tests are relatively safe for children. It is exceedingly rare to cause a life-threatening event such as anaphylaxis. In the unlikely event this occurs, your experienced clinician will manage your child’s condition appropriately. The prick may cause slight discomfort, but most children tolerate the procedure well. It should not cause bleeding, though your child may experience mild itching, which usually subsides quickly. We can provide antihistamine medication if necessary.
Book your child’s appointment with us today by contacting our team to schedule a visit.
We are located at Charlwood, West Sussex, making us easily accessible to treat children living near Crawley, Worthing, Chichester, Waterlooville, Havant, Portsmouth, Brighton, Dorking, Surrey, and all nearby areas.
Worried about your child's food allergies or eczema? Our specialist paediatric team is here to support you every step of the way.
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