Many people suffer from allergies, whether they are allergic to pollen, pet dander, insect bites/stings, or specific types of food. When a person is allergic to something, their immune system responds to a trigger, causing an allergic reaction. Allergies can begin from a young age, but small children often don't have the understanding or vocabulary to explain their symptoms. If you are a parent to a young child, allergy testing for your child may be necessary at some point. An allergist, a type of doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies, can perform an allergy test on your child. Some of the top reasons why you may want to schedule an allergy test for your child include the following:

Experiencing a Runny Nose, Sneezing, and Itchy Watery Eyes for an Extended Period of Time

Young children are not great at washing their hands and keeping their distance from others, so it is not surprising that little kids get colds often. However, cold symptoms typically do not last for too long. If your child is experiencing cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy watery eyes for an extended period of time without improvement, the issue may be allergies, not a cold. This is especially true if your child is experiencing symptoms during the spring when there is a lot of pollen in the air. An allergy test will determine if your child has seasonal allergies, and their allergist can recommend the best form of treatment.

Unexplained Hives

Many children experience hives at some point, but multiple episodes of unexplained hives should not be ignored. A child can develop hives when exposed to an allergen, whether their skin is exposed to an allergen or he or she consumes a food that they are allergic to. If you notice that your child develops hives but you're not sure what exactly is causing them, an allergy test can help. A full allergy test will determine what your child is allergic to so you can do your best to ensure that he or she avoids the allergen.

Severe Reaction to Eating Specific Foods

While most allergy symptoms are mild and annoying, some children can have severe allergies that can be life-threatening. If at any time your child suffers a severe reaction after eating specific foods, you should make an appointment with an allergist for allergy testing. When a child has a severe allergy that could possibly cause anaphylactic shock, they will be prescribed epinephrine to have on hand in case of accidental exposure to the allergen.