Allergy and allergy tests

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody that causes allergic reactions. Most people with allergies will have higher levels of IgE antibodies in their blood.

Allergic reactions caused by IgE antibodies are fast and usually happen in the 5 to 30 minutes after exposure to an allergen.

Mild to moderate symptoms of allergic reaction can include:

• swelling of the lips, face, or eyes
• hives or welts on the skin
• a tingling feeling in the mouth
• abdominal pain- also signs of a severe reaction to insect stings.

Some children can have a more severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

Signs of anaphylaxis include: 

• wheezing, difficult, or noisy breathing
• swelling of the tongue
• swelling or tightness in the throat
• a persistent cough
• difficulty talking or a hoarse voice
• dizziness
• becoming pale and floppy in young children
• collapsing.

If your child has signs of anaphylaxis, you should:

• follow your child’s ASCIA action plan for anaphylaxis if you have one
• use an EpiPen® or Anapen®, if there is one available
• call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.

Allergies that are not caused by IgE antibodies will usually cause symptoms in the gut. 

Non-IgE allergic reactions can be slow to show up, taking hours or days, and can include:

• vomiting and nausea
• abdominal pain or stomach-ache
• bloating
• diarrhoea.

A skin prick test is a common type of allergy test.

The nurse will let you know whether there are any medications your child should avoid for 3 days before the test. This is to make sure nothing interferes with the results.

In a skin prick test:

1. the nurse or doctor will write numbers on the skin to show where an allergen will be tested
2. the nurse or doctor will then drop a tiny bit of the allergen into the skin and then prick the skin with a small needle called a lancet
3. the process is repeated depending on how many allergens are tested.

After 15 – 20 minutes, a red lump or welt will appear on the skin where there is an allergic reaction.

Skin prick testing can make children feel uncomfortable as the reactions can feel itchy, and they may feel dizzy. Itchiness and swelling should settle after 1-2 hours, and your child will be given medication if the reaction is more severe.

Some allergens need a different type of skin test called intradermal skin testing. Intradermal skin testing is used for allergens that have a higher risk of anaphylaxis, including:

• medications like penicillin
• vaccines
• animal or insect venom.

Intradermal skin testing is done in the hospital by a specialist doctor.

Do not try skin testing at home.

Blood tests check for higher levels of IgE antibodies in the blood. Blood tests are used when:

• a skin test is not available
• a child cannot have a skin test due to conditions like eczema
• a child is taking medications that interfere with skin test results, like antihistamines.

A food challenge is used to confirm whether a child has a food allergy or whether they have grown out of their food allergy. Food challenges are usually done in the hospital, under medical supervision.

Patch testing is used to see whether your child has an allergic reaction on the skin called contact dermatitis. 

Things that can cause contact dermatitis include:

• tape and bandages
• plants
• cosmetics like make-up or beauty creams
• metals like nickel found in jewellery.

In a patch test, your child will have a patch with an allergen in it applied to their back. After 48 hours, the doctor will remove the patch and check the skin for a reaction.

Patch testing can be done at home when trying new products like skincare, make-up, and hair dye. Try a small amount of product on the back of the hand and wait to see if there are any reactions on the skin.

Patch testing at home does not diagnose an allergy but can help you know whether a product will irritate your child’s skin.

Many other tests are advertised as allergy tests. These tests cannot diagnose an allergy and do not have any scientific evidence to support them.

These tests can include:

• cytotoxic food testing
• applied kinesiology
• electrodermal testing
• pulse testing
• reflexology
• hair analysis.

Results from these tests might lead to incorrect treatment or information. 

Always speak to your child’s doctor if you have any questions or concerns about allergy tests and information.

Allergies can have a big impact on your child’s everyday life. It is important to have your child tested and treated if you think they have an allergy.

Benefits of allergy testing include:

• getting support and information about allergies and preventing reactions
• knowing whether your child’s allergy is life-threatening or not
• knowing how to avoid certain foods and products.

If the test says your child does not have an allergy, it may mean another health issue needs to be investigated.

Atopy is the word for people more likely to develop an allergy. Atopy can be passed down in families and can cause conditions like:

• eczema
• allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever
• asthma.

Allergic rhinitis is also known as hay fever. Hay fever is a very common allergy that happens when you breathe in allergens like:

• pollen
• mould
• dust mites
• animal dander - fur, hair, or feathers.

Hay fever can happen year-round and might worsen in some states and territories around spring and summer.

Hay fever can look like a common cold, with symptoms including:

• runny nose
• blocked nose
• watery eyes
• itchy eyes
• wheezing
• coughing
• sneezing.

Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis. An allergy does not commonly cause eczema, but children with eczema can have allergies that cause similar symptoms or make eczema worse.

Eczema is slow to develop and cannot be diagnosed with a skin prick test.

Adverse reactions are unwanted or harmful effects that happen after eating, inhaling, injecting, or touching something.

Adverse reactions are different to allergies and can include:

• food intolerance - a chemical reaction in the body to a food or drink
  • sweating
  • headaches
  • diarrhoea - loose, watery poo
  • feeling of tightness.
• food poisoning – sickness from ingesting food contaminated with bacteria, parasites and other germs
• enzyme deficiencies – genetic disorders that stop the body from processing some foods properly
• food aversion – a strong dislike or refusal to eat certain foods.

These reactions can be confused with allergies and should be checked by a doctor.

Toxic reactions from ingesting poison, like chemicals or plants, are different from allergies. They are serious and can cause death. 

If your child has ingested a poison, call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency department.