How to check for allergens in childhood asthma

Jul 10, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My child suddenly started coughing severely. After going to the hospital for an examination, the doctor diagnosed childhood asthma caused by allergies. I would like to ask how to identify the allergens causing childhood asthma?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
There are mainly two methods for allergen testing in children with asthma: 1. Skin prick test: This involves dropping a high-concentration allergen extract onto the patient's skin, followed by pricking the skin with a needle to allow the allergen to penetrate. The skin reaction is then observed. If redness, swelling, or itching occurs at the site, it indicates that the patient is allergic to the allergen. This method is simple, economical, and convenient to perform, but results may be affected by human factors or environmental conditions. It is not recommended for children under four years of age. 2. Blood antibody testing: This method involves taking a blood sample from the patient to test for the presence of specific IgE antibodies. It can accurately determine whether the patient is in an allergic state and has a broad detection range, including inhalant allergens (such as dust mites, pollen, etc.) and food allergens (such as milk, eggs, etc.). Its advantages include high accuracy and no age restrictions for the patient. When choosing a testing method, parents are advised to make a decision based on their child's specific condition and the doctor's recommendations.