How Often Should You Test for Food Allergies in Infants and Toddlers?

Tests for food allergies are not standard at your infant and toddler's standard pediatric visits. However, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology points out that one study states 4 percent to 6 percent of kids have food allergies, so your doctor may recommend more frequent testing should your child exhibit certain symptoms or have other risk factors. Food allergies can range from mild to life threatening, so never hesitate to speak to your doctor if you suspect your infant or toddler has a food allergy.

  1. All in the Family

    • Parents of infants and toddlers who have a family history of food allergies need to be more vigilant about watching for symptoms and testing for food allergies. The Mayo Clinic recommends talking to your doctor about testing or danger signs of food allergies in your child if you have a family history of asthma, eczema, hives or hay fever. Infants and toddlers are more likely to have food allergies than adults or even older children, so a family history should be mentioned to your pediatrician even if there aren't any symptoms.

    Signs and Symptoms

    • If your child is exhibiting signs of a food allergy, your pediatrician will likely order testing so that you can pinpoint the source. Try to introduce only one new food to your infant at a time to keep from being confused about allergenic foods. Symptoms of an allergy can include minor hives or rashes or an upset stomach, but can also include very serious symptoms such as anaphylactic shock and difficulty breathing. Take your child to the emergency room immediately for treatment for serious symptoms of a food allergy and then follow up with your pediatrician for testing later.

    Not Ancient History

    • Your child's medical history is an important factor in determining if and when she should be tested for food allergies. She is more likely to have a continuing or even a different food allergy if she has already reacted to a food. An infant or toddler with a medical history including asthma is also at much higher risk for food allergies. Your pediatrician may order preemptive food allergy testing because of your child's medical history, or he may just encourage you to be vigilant when offering new foods.

    Age-Appropriate Allergy Testing

    • You'll want to visit an allergist once your child has been identified as being at risk for food allergies. An allergy that is not immediately life threatening may be tested by doing an elimination diet, in which certain groups of food are taken out of your child's diet and then slowly added back in to discover the culprit. Allergists may also order a skin test, injecting the allergen into the skin in a small dose to test for a reaction. A patch test exposes the allergen only to the surface of the skin, while a blood test can pinpoint the source of the allergy without direct exposure. Allergists will try to make the process as pleasant as possible for your child, but younger children, especially, may be upset by the process.

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