Skin Prick Test in Children – What Parents Should Know
A skin prick test (SPT) is safe and commonly performed in children of all ages, including infants, to diagnose allergies. It helps determine if a child is allergic to common allergens such as:
Food (e.g., milk, egg, peanuts)
Environmental allergens (e.g., dust mites, pollen, pet dander)
Insect venom
Mold
Medications (in some cases)
🧬 Why It's Done in Children:
Children often show allergy symptoms early in life, such as:
Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
Asthma
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Food reactions
An SPT helps identify triggers and guide treatment or avoidance strategies.
🧪 How It Works (Child-Friendly Version):
Location: Usually done on the back in small children (more space, less scary), or forearm in older kids.
Application: A small drop of each allergen is placed on the skin.
Prick: A tiny, shallow lancet gently scratches the skin through each drop — it doesn’t bleed and feels like a light poke or tickle.
Wait Time: The child waits about 15–20 minutes.
Reading the Reaction: If the child is allergic, a small red, itchy bump appears (like a mosquito bite).
✅ Is It Safe for Children?
Yes. It is:
Minimally invasive
Quick
Generally well tolerated (especially in young children if distraction techniques are used)
Anaphylaxis from SPT is extremely rare, but allergists are trained to manage it.
🛑 Before the Test – Important Prep:
To get accurate results:
Stop antihistamines usually 5–7 days before (check with your doctor).
Continue asthma medications unless advised otherwise.
Inform the doctor of any recent infections or skin conditions.
👶 Age Considerations:
Can be done as early as infancy, but results may be more reliable after 6 months of age.
For very young infants or severe reactions, blood tests (like serum-specific IgE) may sometimes be used as an alternative.
🧸 Tips for Parents:
Bring toys, books, or a tablet to distract the child during the 20-minute wait.
Prepare your child by explaining it will be quick and not painful, just a little “poke.”
Ask the allergist to use numbing cream if the child is very anxious (optional).
📋 After the Test:
Results are reviewed on the same day.
The allergist will discuss:
What the child is allergic to
How severe the reaction is
Next steps: avoidance, treatment he.g., antihistamines, epinephrine, immunotherapy
