Children’s Allergy Testing in Atlanta, GA

Helping your child manage seasonal allergies involves a combination of minimizing exposure and utilizing the right treatments. First, keep an eye on local pollen counts in the metro Atlanta area; on high-pollen days, encourage indoor play and keep the windows in your home and car closed to prevent allergens from blowing inside. When your child does play outside, have them wash their hands and face, or ideally take a shower and change clothes, as soon as they come indoors to remove pollen from their skin and hair.

Running an air purifier with a HEPA filter in their bedroom can also create a safe, pollen-free sleep environment. Medically, over-the-counter non-drowsy antihistamines or sterile saline nasal sprays can provide temporary relief for mild symptoms. However, if over-the-counter options aren’t enough, it’s time to consult our pediatric allergists. We can prescribe stronger, targeted medications or recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) to help your child’s immune system build a natural tolerance, ensuring they can comfortably enjoy the outdoors all season long.

An allergy test is a safe and highly effective diagnostic tool used by our board-certified allergists to determine exactly which substances (allergens) are triggering your child’s immune system to overreact. Instead of guessing what might be causing their sneezing, rashes, or wheezing, an allergy test provides concrete answers. The most common method we use for children is a skin prick test.

During this quick procedure, a tiny amount of various suspected allergens—such as local tree pollen, pet dander, dust mites, or specific foods—is gently applied to the surface of the skin on your child’s back or arm using a small, specialized plastic device. It feels like a mild scratch and is virtually painless. We then wait about fifteen to twenty minutes to see if a small, raised bump (similar to a mosquito bite) appears, which indicates a positive allergic reaction. In some cases, we may also utilize specialized blood tests or patch testing. Identifying these specific triggers is the crucial first step in creating a highly personalized and effective treatment plan.

Whether or not your child will outgrow their allergies largely depends on the specific type of allergy they have. Many children do outgrow certain food allergies, particularly to milk, egg, soy, and wheat, often by the time they reach their teenage years. However, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish tend to be lifelong for the majority of patients. When it comes to environmental triggers like seasonal pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, it is less common for children to completely outgrow them without medical intervention.

In fact, seasonal allergies can sometimes worsen as a child goes through puberty and into adulthood. The good news is that you don’t have to simply wait and hope their symptoms disappear. Through specialized treatments like immunotherapy—commonly known as allergy shots or under-the-tongue drops—our pediatric allergists can actively help your child’s immune system build a long-term tolerance to these allergens. This proactive approach can significantly alter the course of their allergic disease, often providing lasting relief well into adulthood.

When you bring your child to The Allergy & Asthma Center, you can expect a warm, welcoming environment focused on finding real solutions. During your initial visit, our board-certified pediatric allergists, Dr. Jon E. Stahlman, MD, and Dr. Deidre D. Crocker, MD, will start by taking a comprehensive medical history. We will listen closely to your concerns, asking detailed questions about your child’s symptoms, when and where they occur, and any family history of allergies or asthma. Following this in-depth discussion, the doctor will perform a gentle physical examination.

If needed, we will conduct diagnostic testing, such as a skin prick allergy test or a pulmonary function test to evaluate their lung capacity. Once we have a clear, accurate diagnosis, your doctor will sit down with you to thoroughly explain the results. Together, we will develop a customized, step-by-step asthma or allergy action plan. This personalized plan may include environmental avoidance strategies, targeted prescription medications, or immunotherapy options, ensuring you leave our clinic feeling empowered and equipped to help your child thrive comfortably. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 2987 Clairmont Rd #175, Atlanta, GA 30329. We serve patients from Atlanta GA, Brookhaven GA, Chamblee GA, Decatur GA, Dunwoody GA, Tucker GA, Sandy Springs GA, and the surrounding areas.