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Beacon For Kids: Allergies

Our Beacon For Kids Allergy Service provides specialist Consultant-led care to assess, investigate and manage a wide range of allergy and respiratory conditions.

Allergy Service

Our Beacon For Kids Allergy Service provides specialist Consultant-led care for children and their families. Our Team includes Consultants who specialise in Allergy, Paediatric Nurses and the wider Multidisciplinary team who work together to provide comprehensive family centred care.

We work closely with GPs and families to assess, investigate and manage a wide range of allergy and respiratory conditions.

Conditions we regularly see in the Allergy clinic include;

  • Food Allergy
  • Eczema with a direct link to food
  • Allergic Rhinitis
  • Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
  • Queried Antibiotic Allergies

Each child’s consultation involves a detailed clinical history followed by tailored diagnostic investigations where appropriate. Our team will provide clear guidance, education, treatment plans if required, and ensure appropriate follow-up with you and your child.

Diagnostic and Treatment Services may include:

  • Skin Prick Testing
  • Adrenaline Autoinjector Training
  • Nasal Spray Technique
  • Sublingual Immunotherapy
  • Antibiotic Challenges

Referral to Beacon For Kids Paediatric Allergy Service can be arranged through your GP.

Contact Beacon For Kids

Phone
01 650 4665
Email
[email protected]

Information on Allergy Tests in Beacon For Kids

  • Antibiotic Challenges

    • Antibiotic Challenges are performed in Beacon for Kids if your consultant feels it would be helpful to rule out an allergy to the specific antibiotic.
    •  This is called de-labelling, where we remove the label of having an allergy to the specific antibiotic if your child passes this challenge successfully.
    • The Antibiotic Challenge involves giving an Oral dose of the Antibiotic to the patient to see if they can tolerate it.
    • This test is performed when a child has had some kind of symptom in the past, and it is not clear whether it was the antibiotic that caused the reaction.
    • If you are booked in for this test, you will be given an information leaflet with further details.

     

  • Allergic Rhinitis or Hay Fever

    • Allergic Rhinitis can also be known as hay fever, this is an inflammatory condition which is caused when the immune system has reactions to allergens. It presents with the following symptoms; runny nasal discharge, scratchy nose, blockage of the nose, sneezing, and related eye issues.
    • If your child’s symptoms are severe, persistent, affecting their daily living or not responding to over the counter treatments, they may be referred to a consultant.
    • Your consultant will take a detailed history, and they may ask if you or your child have noticed any triggers for the symptoms.
    • Your consultant may ask questions about your child environment, for example; pets, dust, any smoking in the house.
    • Most children who have Allergic Rhinitis have “Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis” where symptoms occur in early spring and subside in late summer, but some people have symptoms year-round.
    • Your consultant will help create a management plan for this condition and arrange any relevant investigations.

     

  • Sublingual Immunotherapy

    • Some children whose symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis are not controlled by first line treatment may be suitable for Sublingual Immunotherapy.
    • This is available for children from five years old who meet the criteria.
    • Sublingual Immunotherapy exposes the body to small amounts of the allergen that trigger an allergic response, which will gradually “turn off” the immune system allowing your child to tolerate the allergen over time.
    • The goal of treatment is to reduce the symptoms your child is experiencing. It is available for grass and tree pollen and house dust mite allergy.
    • The treatment for grass pollen starts before the pollen season around February or March, Tree Pollen is commenced in November and House dust mite treatment is continuous and can start any time of year with the treatment usually lasting 3 years.
    • If your consultant feels you are suitable for this treatment, your consultant will explain this to you and your child, and an information leaflet will be given to you by the clinic with further information.

     

  • Skin Prick Testing

    • You will meet your consultant who will complete an allergy focused clinical history. If your consultant feels like your Child requires Skin Prick Testing, this may be completed on the same day of your appointment, or you may be asked to return on a different day.
    • Skin Prick Testing is a quick procedure, and it is used in conjunction with the allergy focused history to make a diagnosis of an allergy.
    • The test will be carried out by a trained professional.
    • The healthcare profession will draw on your child’s arm like in the picture, drops of the allergen will be placed on your child’s arm and a lancet will be used to gentle break the skin to allow the allergen to enter the skin.
    • You and your Child will be asked to have a seat in the waiting area; your Child should not itch their arm as this can interfere with the test.
    • After fifteen minutes your Child’s arm will be reviewed to see if any hives have appeared. The test results will be documented and shown to your consultant.
    • Your consultant will discuss the test results with you and what they mean for your Child.

     

  • Food Allergy

    • If your child is suspected of having a food allergy, they may be referred to the allergy service from your GP.
    • Food allergies develop when the body’s immune system reacts to a specific food or foods.
    • Your child’s consultant will take a detailed allergy focused history; this will include asking questions in a systematic way to ensure the consultant gets the whole picture.
    • You may be asked about what occurred directly before a reaction, what food was eaten, and how quickly the symptoms developed.
    • Your consultant may enquire about the type of symptoms experienced at the time of reaction; this may include; rashes, hives, facial, lip or oral swelling, vomiting, abdominal pain or breathing difficulties. If you bring a photo on your phone to show your consultant, this may help.
    • Your consultant will ask if any treatment was needed after the reaction occurred and if your child required medical treatment in hospital.
    • You may be asked if your child has had more than one reaction or if your child was previously able to tolerate this food.
    • Your consultant may ask if your child or a family member like either parent or a sibling has a diagnosis of eczema, allergic rhinitis or asthma.
    • Based on the history received, your consultant will determine if any further investigations are required. This may include a skin prick test; you can find further detailed information on this investigation in the section above.
    • Your consultant will discuss the results with you and your child’s management plan.

     

  • Adrenaline Autoinjectors

    • Not everyone who attends the allergy service will be prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector. Your consultant will make this decision based on the allergy focused history and the investigation outcomes.
    • If your consultant feels it is necessary for your child to be prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector training will be given by a member of the allergy team.
    • You will be shown how to give the adrenaline autoinjector using a demonstrator pen.
    • You will be advised on where to find videos to watch at home on the administration of adrenaline autoinjectors.
    • You will be advised on the signs and symptoms of a mild reaction and how to treat this. You will also be advised on signs and symptoms of a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis and how to manage this using your child’s adrenaline autoinjector.
    • Usually four adrenaline autoinjectors are prescribed; two should always remain on the child’s person and carried with them at all times. Two may be given to creche or school staff.
    • You should be aware of when your child’s adrenaline autoinjectors are due to expire. Your GP can complete a new prescription for the adrenaline autoinjectors, if required.

     

  • Eczema

    • Eczema is a common skin concern in children, that can often be managed by the GP or general paediatrician.
    • You may also hear Eczema called Atopic Dermatitis. It usually causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. It can come and go in flares.
    • It develops when the skin’s barrier is not working correctly, which causes the skin to become more sensitive and susceptible to dryness and irritation.
    • Generally, eczema is not caused by a food allergy.
    • However, in some cases, your child may be referred to the allergy service if there is concern that your child’s eczema is directly linked to a food allergy. This might be recommended if your child’s eczema flares immediately after ingesting certain foods or if your child shows signs of an allergic reaction.
    • Where there is clinical suspicion that a food allergy may be contributing to your child’s eczema, the consultant may decide further investigation may be required such as a skin prick test.
    • If there is no clear link between the eczema and a food allergy, the eczema is usually best managed by your child’s GP or General Paediatrician.

     

  • Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

    • Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria is a condition where hives which are also known as urticaria occur anywhere on the body.
    • Hives are usually itchy, red, raised wheals which can look like a rash, they can vary in size and shape and usually have no identifiable cause or trigger.
    • It is classified as chronic if the hives appear most days or occur frequently over a six week or longer period.
    • If you or your child’s GP identify the hives are chronic in nature, you may be referred to the allergy service.
    • The consultant will obtain a detailed history and will ask questions about the frequency, how long they last, and whether there are any other symptoms that occur alongside the hives.
    • Your consultant may ask if you or your child has noticed if the hives are triggered by anything, for example; infections, heat, cold, exercise or pressure on the skin.
    • Usually, further investigations are not required to diagnosis this condition; however, if a specific trigger is identified such as cold, your child may undergo a simple test in the clinic. For example, a cold test involves putting an ice cube on the surface of the skin under direct medical supervision to check if this produces hives.
    • Your consultant will give you a management plan which usually revolves around helping to manage the condition.

     

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