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Allergy Testing for Infants: What Parents Need to Know
When your baby develops symptoms that suggest an allergy, the question of testing often arises. Many parents are surprised to learn that even very young infants can be safely and effectively tested for allergies. At LACK Clinic, we regularly assess babies in their first months of life to identify allergic triggers and develop appropriate management strategies.
Can babies under 6 months be tested for allergies?
Yes, absolutely. There is no lower age limit for allergy testing. Food allergies in particular can manifest very early in life, sometimes within days or weeks of birth. Early identification of allergic triggers can be crucial for managing symptoms and potentially influencing the course of allergic development.
Our experience at the LACK Clinic, supported by research including Professor Lack's groundbreaking studies, confirms that allergy testing in young infants is both safe and valuable when performed by specialists with paediatric expertise.
Why early testing matters
Identifying the cause of symptoms
Babies cannot tell us what's bothering them, making diagnosis challenging. Common symptoms that might indicate allergies in young infants include:
- Eczema or other skin rashes
- Persistent crying or fussiness, especially after feeds
- Feeding difficulties or reluctance to feed
- Vomiting or reflux symptoms
- Abnormal stool patterns (constipation or diarrhoea)
- Poor weight gain
- Sleep disturbances
When these symptoms are present, allergy testing can help determine whether an allergic reaction is the underlying cause.
Preventing the allergic march
Research increasingly suggests that early identification and management of allergies may help prevent what allergists call the "allergic march" – the progression from eczema to food allergies to respiratory allergies like asthma and hay fever.
Early intervention, particularly for infants with eczema, may reduce the risk of developing additional allergic conditions as they grow.
Guiding feeding decisions
For breastfeeding mothers, identifying specific food allergies in their infant can help guide maternal dietary adjustments that might improve the baby's symptoms.
For formula-fed babies, testing can determine whether a specialised formula might be beneficial.
As solid foods are introduced, testing results can inform safe feeding practices and appropriate introduction of allergenic foods.
Types of allergy testing for babies
Several testing methods are available for young infants, each with specific benefits in different situations.
Skin prick testing
Skin prick testing (SPT) is the most common form of allergy testing and can be performed on infants of any age. During this procedure:
- A small drop of allergen extract is placed on the skin (usually the back in very young infants)
- The skin is gently pricked through the drop using a sterile lancet
- After 15 minutes, the skin is examined for a reaction (a small raised bump similar to a mosquito bite)
This procedure:
- Is quick (typically 20–30 minutes for the entire process)
- Provides immediate results
- Is minimally invasive
- Causes only momentary discomfort
For babies, we typically limit the number of tests performed at one time based on the infant's size and skin area available.
Blood testing
Blood tests measuring specific IgE antibodies are an alternative or complement to skin testing. These tests:
- Require just a single blood draw
- Allow testing for multiple allergens from one sample
- Are particularly useful when skin conditions like widespread eczema make skin testing difficult
- Can be performed regardless of medications the baby might be taking
While blood tests have historically been considered slightly less sensitive than skin prick tests for some allergens, advances in laboratory techniques have significantly improved their accuracy.
Food challenges
In certain situations, especially when test results are unclear or there is a discrepancy between test results and the baby's history, a supervised food challenge may be recommended. This involves:
- Giving the baby small, gradually increasing amounts of the suspected food allergen
- Careful monitoring for any reactions
- Medical supervision throughout the process
Food challenges are generally reserved for situations where the risk of a reaction is low based on previous testing or history.
Limitations of allergy testing in infants
While testing can provide valuable information, parents should be aware of certain limitations:
Number of tests possible
Very young babies have limited skin surface area, which restricts the number of skin tests that can be
What to expect during infant allergy testing
Before the appointment
- Continue your baby's regular feeding routine unless specifically advised otherwise
- Keep giving any prescribed medications unless your doctor advises stopping them
- Bring details of any symptoms you've noticed and their relationship to feedings
- If breastfeeding, consider keeping a maternal food diary for several days before the appointment
- Continue your baby's regular feeding routine unless specifically advised otherwise
- Keep giving any prescribed medications unless your doctor advises stopping them
- Bring details of any symptoms you've noticed and their relationship to feedings
- If breastfeeding, consider keeping a maternal food diary for several days before the appointment
During skin testing
- You'll be able to hold and comfort your baby throughout the procedure
- The testing area (usually back or forearm) will be cleaned
- Drops of different allergen extracts will be placed on the skin
- You'll be able to hold and comfort your baby throughout the procedure
- The testing area (usually back or forearm) will be cleaned
- Drops of different allergen extracts will be placed on the skin
- A small lancet will gently prick the skin through each drop
- The area will be observed for 15 minutes for any reaction
- Our specialist nurses are experienced in making the process as comfortable as possible for young infants
- A small lancet will gently prick the skin through each drop
- The area will be observed for 15 minutes for any reaction
- Our specialist nurses are experienced in making the process as comfortable as possible for young infants
- A small amount of blood will be drawn, usually from a vein in your baby's arm
- The procedure is quick but may cause momentary discomfort
- You can hold and comfort your baby throughout
- Results typically take several days to become available
During blood testing
- A small amount of blood will be drawn, usually from a vein in your baby's arm
- The procedure is quick but may cause momentary discomfort
- You can hold and comfort your baby throughout
- Results typically take several days to become available
After testing: Next steps
Following allergy testing, your specialist will:
- Explain the results and their significance
- Explain the results and their significance
- Develop a management plan based on your baby's specific allergic profile
- Provide guidance on feeding practices, including maternal diet if breastfeeding
- Discuss indications for formula changes if formula-fed
- Create a plan for introducing solid foods, including potential allergens
- Prescribe medications if needed to manage symptoms
- Schedule appropriate follow-up to monitor your baby's progress
- Develop a management plan based on your baby's specific allergic profile
- Provide guidance on feeding practices, including maternal diet if breastfeeding
- Discuss indications for formula changes if formula-fed
- Create a plan for introducing solid foods, including potential allergens
- Prescribe medications if needed to manage symptoms
- Babies with eczema are at significantly higher risk of developing food allergies
- Early identification of allergic triggers can help manage eczema symptoms
- Appropriate introduction of allergenic foods may help prevent food allergies from developing
- Schedule appropriate follow-up to monitor your baby's progress
Special considerations for babies with eczema
Infants with eczema deserve special attention when it comes to allergy testing. Professor Lack's landmark research has demonstrated that:
- Babies with eczema are at significantly higher risk of developing food allergies
- Early identification of allergic triggers can help manage eczema symptoms
- Appropriate introduction of allergenic foods may help prevent food allergies from developing
For babies with moderate to severe eczema, comprehensive allergy testing is particularly valuable, even in the absence of obvious food-related symptoms.
The LACK Clinic approach to infant allergy testing
At LACK Clinic, our approach to testing young babies is guided by several principles:
Minimising discomfort
Our specialist nurses and doctors are experienced in performing allergy tests on infants with minimal distress. We use techniques specifically adapted for very young babies and ensure the environment is calm and supportive.
Comprehensive assessment
We believe in looking at the whole picture – not just test results, but your baby's symptoms, family history, environmental exposures, and feeding patterns all inform our assessment.
Evidence-based recommendations
Our advice is grounded in the latest research, including Professor Lack's pioneering work on early allergenic food introduction and allergy prevention.
Parental education and support
We take time to explain results clearly and ensure parents understand the implications for their baby's care. We provide written management plans and remain available to answer questions as they arise.
When to consider allergy testing for your baby
Consider discussing allergy testing with your GP or a specialist if your baby:
- Has moderate to severe eczema, especially if it started in the first few months of life
- Shows symptoms after feeding (excessive crying, vomiting, reflux, or changes in stool)
- Has poor weight gain despite adequate feeding
- Develops hives or other skin reactions
- Has a strong family history of allergies, especially if already showing symptoms
- Has had a previous allergic reaction to a food
Early testing can provide peace of mind and guide management decisions at a critical time in your baby's development.
Looking ahead: The benefits of early identification
Identifying allergies in early infancy offers several long-term advantages:
- Targeted interventions to manage current symptoms
- Potential to prevent additional allergies from developing
- Guidance for safe introduction of allergenic foods
- Early implementation of strategies that may influence the allergic march
- Reduced parental anxiety through clear understanding of triggers
- Foundation for a proactive approach to allergy management as your child grows
Conclusion
Allergy testing can be safely and effectively performed even in very young infants, providing valuable information to guide care decisions. While there are some limitations based on a baby's size, the benefits of early identification of allergic triggers often outweigh these constraints.
At LACK Clinic, we specialise in infant allergy assessment and management, offering evidence-based testing and treatment plans tailored to your baby's unique needs. Our approach combines the latest research insights with compassionate care to support families navigating early allergic conditions.
If you're concerned about possible allergies in your baby, consulting with an allergist experienced in infant care can provide clarity and direction during this important developmental period.
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