Paediatric Allergy Clinic

Living with allergies can have a significant negative impact on your child’s quality of life, especially if the condition is not treated appropriately. Here at Midland Health’s private pediatric allergy clinic in Birmingham, we offer specialist allergy testing and allergy management services that allow us to tackle the problem early on and help your little ones live a normal and happy life. 

Designed for children aged 0-18, our services include baby allergy testing, as well as allergy diagnostics and management for older children and teenagers. Working with experienced child allergy consultants, we can identify and treat the symptoms of various food allergies, seasonal allergies, asthma and eczema. 

At our modern facilities in Edgbaston Village, Midland Health offers quality care accessible to everyone, even on short notice. Get in touch with our team on 0121 769 0999 or at hello@midlandhealth.co.uk today to book your appointment. 

Common Child and Baby Allergies We Can Help With 

Children and babies can suffer from a wide range of allergies and the expert team at Midland Health can help you get the correct diagnosis and take action. Some of the most common paediatric allergies we come across include:

Food Allergy 

With 5-8% of children in the UK suffering from a food allergy, this is one of the most prevalent types of paediatric allergies. Common allergens include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, sesame seeds, nuts, peanuts, wheat and soy. Our paediatrician can help you improve your awareness of the foods that can pose a risk to your child so you can avoid them, as well as how to react if your child suffers from an allergic reaction. They may also be able to recommend strategies to prevent allergies from developing by careful introduction of foods.

Seasonal Allergies 

Also known as Hay Fever or Allergic Rhinitis, seasonal allergies, are caused by the immune system’s reaction to allergens in the air. The symptoms include inflammation in the nose that results in sneezing, stuffy, blocked nose, red, watery eyes and itchiness. Up to 10-15% of children in the UK are currently diagnosed with hay fever.  Some forms of food allergies may also be caused by an allergy to these airborne allergens.

Eczema

Eczema is an impairment of the skin barrier which can occur as a result of an allergic reaction. Once identified as a symptom of an allergy, eczema can help us identify the allergens your child’s immune system is responding to. As eczema can cause discomfort and itching, it’s important to implement a management method, such as moisturising and appropriate medication to the affected skin. Food allergy will often also be discussed as infants with eczema are at increased risk of food allergies.

Child Allergy Testing

Child and baby allergy testing is an important part of the diagnostic process. There are various ways we can test whether your child has an allergy with the most common being:

• Skin Prick Test: A single drop of a potential allergen will be placed on your child’s arm and the skin in that area will be pricked with a needle into the top layer of the skin. If the child is allergic, a red bump will appear on the spot within 15 minutes and the result can be.
• Blood Test: A total IgE test is a blood test used to measure the number of IgE antibodies in your blood and it can be tested in direct response to specific allergens. These take a few days to return.
• Component Test: Antibodies to some allergenic proteins are more important than others.  Component tests help identify  whether those associated with severe reactions are associated or whether milder reactions are more likely for some allergens.  The may also help identify which patients are likely to respond best to immunotherapy.  

The resident paediatric allergy consultant at Midland Health will advise you on the most suitable ways of testing your child for an allergy. Sometimes, more than one test may be required to confirm a diagnosis. 

Child Allergy Management 

Our specialists in child allergy management will advise you on the best solution for your child, including a tailored management plan for you to follow. The most common options are:

• Allergen Avoidance: Learn what products can cause an allergic reaction and take them out of your child’s diet or immediate environment
• Immunotherapy: This can be used to help children with a severe hay fever allergy ,manage the allergic symptoms caused by pollen and dust
• Allergic Reaction Response: It’s also important to learn what steps you need to take when your child suffers from an allergic reaction, especially if it’s severe (anaphylaxis) 
• Allergen Reintroduction: this may allow children to reintroduce some food allergens back into the diet in a careful introduction program

What To Expect From Your Paediatric Allergy Consultation

When you first arrive at our private paediatric allergy clinic in Birmingham, you will be welcomed by our friendly staff and introduced to your paediatrician. Your doctor will discuss all the possible allergy symptoms your child is experiencing and the circumstances that led to them, as well as your medical history. 

Based on the information gathered, your specialist may prescribe child allergy testing (a skin prick test, a blood test and/or food challenges) to help diagnose a potential allergy. Most tests can be done at the Midland Health clinic on the same day. 

Based on the results, if an allergy diagnosis is confirmed, your paediatrician can recommend a bespoke child allergy management plan for your child to follow at home and potentially at their school or nursery. 

Our team will also take the time to speak with you to ensure you are aware of how to identify and avoid allergy triggers in your child's environment, as well as how to treat your child in case of an allergic reaction. You will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you need before you leave our clinic. 

Our Paediatric Allergy Specialist