If a child has an allergic reaction after eating a food, they should have an allergy assessment. There is no age requirement for an allergy consultation and possible skin testing. If a child has a severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis), sometimes testing can be falsely negative within 6 weeks. Hence, if there was a severe allergic reaction, a delay for 6 weeks prior to skin testing may be warranted. This is different from some seasonal environmental allergy skin testing that is typically not warranted for children less than 2 years of age.
Bottom Line: There is no age requirement for allergy testing.
Help us educate your communities and share this mythbuster with them! Stay tuned for more mythbusters to come.
Medical content reviewed by: Dr. Julia Upton, MD, FRCP(C) Clinical Immunology and Allergy
Help us educate your communities and share this mythbuster with them! Find more mythbusters at foodallergycanada.ca/mythbusters.
Tags: mythbuster