Allergy Testing in Young Children

If you have taken your young child before 8 years of age, bear in mind that test results are unreliable, to say the least. My son’s paediatrician does not advocate allergy testing for young children as according to him, a positive skin test is true for about only 20% of the time. Thus, positive skin tests are only a clue to a possible allergy and should not be taken as truth. Because the skin of those with eczema is so sensitive to irritation, just scratching can cause inflammation and making the likelihood of false positives even higher.

So think about this, since you have a greater chance than 80% of a false results, is it worth putting your child to the stress? Worse depriving your child the nutrients he needs from those foods which may not even be the allergens? So it is best to discuss with your doctor of what really needs to be tested for. Use the information your get from your doctor and use a bit of common sense to care for your child.