Children's Allergy Clinic

Your child's appointment

What will happen?

A detailed allergy clinical history is taken initially- this involves asking you about the medical history, family history, and any medications currently taken. We will ask specific questions around what occurred during any allergic reactions, such as:

• Was there an identifiable allergen, and how quickly did the problems occur
• What symptoms were present
• What treatment your child required
• A physical examination might occur, if it is necessary

Please allow at least an hour for the appointment.

Allergy tests

If appropriate, the team will decide whether to carry out allergy tests; these may be skin prick tests or blood tests. Testing is usually done within the clinic on the same day, depending on the clinical picture. For telephone appointments, any testing will happen later. Allergy testing is not always helpful, so not everyone will need testing.

Occasionally we may offer to challenge your child with a potential allergen within the safe environment of the hospital. This will be discussed at the clinic appointment, and should not be done at home unless discussed first in clinic.

Health & Care Videos - Allergies

What you should bring to the appointment

• List of current medications
• Any packaging or photo of ingredients
• Easy access to any photos or rashes you think may help
• Any food that is not included on the list below
• Your Adrenaline auto-Injector (EpIPen/Jext/Emerade) if you have one
• Anything that can comfort or distract a younger child

Allergens we test for

We have skin prick test solutions for the majority of common foods such as:

We also have skin prick test solutions for a number of environmental allergens, and can send blood tests for unusual allergens that we are unable to skin prick test for.

If your child has had a possible allergic reaction to something else outside of this list, such as a fruit or vegetable, or an uncommon fish, please bring this food with you, or contact the team prior to your appointment and they can advise you directly.

Plan of care and follow-ups

We will discuss and agree with you a plan of care for further follow up of your child. We will provide you and your child with information to use with Early years settings, schools and colleges, should they require it and liaise with other agencies as necessary.

back to top