Pediatric Allergy Testing in Lawrenceville, GA

If you are concerned that your child has an allergy and would like to have them tested, scheduling an appointment with a doctor who is board-certified in both pediatric medicine and allergies and immunology is a great way to do so! Allergists and immunologists are trained and experienced in evaluating, diagnosing, treating, and managing various allergies, in addition to asthma and autoimmune disorders. As such, they are the most qualified medical professional to provide allergy testing.

An allergist or immunologist completes four years of medical school after earning a four-year Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. After medical school, allergists complete a three-year residency program in either pediatric medicine or internal medicine, followed by a board-certification exam through the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), and a two-year fellowship program in allergy and immunology. After completing the fellowship program, allergists are eligible to become board-certified by passing the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) certification exam.

For a board-certified pediatric allergist in Atlanta, Georgia, we welcome you to get in touch with us at The Allergy & Asthma Center! We have two allergists who are board-certified through the ABP and ABAI.

If you or your child are having difficulty managing their allergies or you think they would benefit from getting tested for an allergy, it is a good idea to bring them to a pediatric allergist. With that in mind, it is also a good idea to pay attention to the various allergy symptoms so that you can know if your child is having difficulty managing their allergy or would benefit from allergy testing. Some common allergy symptoms include the following:

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) symptoms: congestion, itchy nose and eyes, runny nose, and sneezing.

Asthma symptoms: chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing, especially at night or after exercising.

Eczema symptoms: itchy red rash with thick, scaly patches on the skin, causing an excessive need to scratch.

Food allergy symptoms: light-headedness, paleness, swelling, skin rashes, upset stomach, or wheezing.

If the symptoms of your child’s allergies are interfering with their ability to fulfill daily activities or tasks, decrease their quality of life, or cause serious health issues, such as difficulty breathing, it is important to bring them to a pediatric allergist to help lessen the effect of allergies on their overall health and well-being.

Many parents ask us if their toddler or infant is too young to undergo allergy testing. The truth is, there is no minimum age requirement for allergy testing. At The Allergy & Asthma Center in Lawrenceville, our board-certified pediatric allergists can safely test children of all ages, including infants. However, the timing depends on the specific symptoms your child is experiencing. For instance, if your baby develops a severe rash or hives after trying a new food, we can perform targeted food allergy testing right away to ensure their safety.

On the other hand, environmental allergies to triggers like pollen or pet dander typically take a few seasons of exposure to develop. Therefore, we usually wait until a child is at least two or three years old to test for seasonal allergies like those caused by Gwinnett County’s heavy spring pollen. Regardless of their age, our compassionate Lawrenceville team uses gentle, child-friendly techniques, such as quick skin prick tests, to accurately identify triggers and start them on a path to relief.

If it is your first pediatric allergy appointment, our board-certified pediatric allergist, Dr. Jon E. Stahlman, MD, and Dr. Deidre D. Crocker, MD, will likely review your child’s personal and family medical history, including their allergy history, medications they are taking, and any underlying medical conditions they have or have had in the past. Depending on what they learn, they may also conduct certain allergy tests and provide or recommend treatment options, which can include allergy shots, prescription medication, trigger avoidance, and lifestyle changes or modifications.

For subsequent pediatric allergy appointments, your child’s allergist will likely monitor your child’s progress and symptoms, update prescription medications, administer allergy shots, or make any necessary changes to their allergy treatment. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 565 Old Norcross Rd. Lawrenceville, GA, 30046. We serve patients from Lawrenceville GA, Snellville GA, Suwanee GA, Dacula GA, Grayson GA, Duluth GA, and the surrounding areas.