Mon–Fri 09:00–21:00 · Sat–Sun by appointment
Kingsbridge: 028 9066 7878
Belfast Children's Allergy ClinicDr Mugilan Anandarajan · Consultant Paediatrician (FRCPCH, MD)
Belfast Children's Allergy Clinic · Dr Mugilan Anandarajan

Food Allergy Assessment in Children

Expert food allergy testing, diagnosis and management for children across Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Book at Kingsbridge Video / Phone Consultation 028 9066 7878
Parent and child at food allergy consultation
Written by Dr Mugilan Anandarajan, Consultant Paediatrician (FRCPCH, MD) GMC Registered · 25+ Years ExperienceKeywords: food allergy testing Belfast, child food allergy assessment Belfast, consultant paediatrician allergy Belfast

What Is Food Allergy in Children?

Food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts abnormally to a specific food protein. In children, the most common food allergens include cow's milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. Food allergy affects approximately 5–8% of children in the UK and can range from mild reactions to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

As a Consultant Paediatrician with a special interest in allergy, Dr Mugilan Anandarajan provides comprehensive food allergy assessment and management for children aged 0–16 at Kingsbridge Private Hospital and Ulster Independent Clinic in Belfast.

Symptoms of Food Allergy in Children

Food allergy symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours of eating the trigger food. Symptoms can affect multiple body systems:

  • Skin: Hives (urticaria), swelling (angioedema), eczema flares, redness and itching
  • Gut: Vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea
  • Respiratory: Runny nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing
  • Cardiovascular: Dizziness, drop in blood pressure (in severe reactions)
  • Anaphylaxis: Severe, life-threatening reaction involving multiple body systems

Some children experience delayed reactions (non-IgE mediated allergy), particularly to cow's milk and soy, which may present with eczema, reflux, constipation or loose stools hours to days after exposure.

When to Seek Specialist Assessment

You should seek specialist allergy assessment if your child:

  • Has had a reaction to a food that you suspect is allergic
  • Has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen / Jext)
  • Has eczema that is difficult to control, particularly in infancy
  • Has multiple food allergies or complex dietary restrictions
  • Needs a food challenge to confirm or rule out allergy
  • Requires guidance on safe food introduction (e.g. peanut introduction)

No GP referral is required to see Dr Anandarajan. You can book directly at Kingsbridge Private Hospital or Ulster Independent Clinic.

Allergy Testing for Food Allergy

Skin Prick Testing

Skin prick testing (SPT) is a quick, reliable and well-tolerated test for IgE-mediated food allergy. A small drop of allergen extract is placed on the forearm and a lancet is used to introduce it just below the skin surface. Results are available within 15–20 minutes. Most children tolerate skin prick testing very well — it feels like a light scratch rather than a needle.

Specific IgE Blood Testing

Specific IgE blood tests (previously called RAST tests) measure the level of allergy antibodies in the blood to specific foods. They are particularly useful when skin prick testing is not possible (e.g. in young infants, children with extensive eczema, or those taking antihistamines). Results are typically available within a few days.

Supervised Food Challenges

A supervised oral food challenge (OFC) is the gold standard for diagnosing or ruling out food allergy. It involves giving your child small, gradually increasing amounts of the suspected food under close medical supervision. Food challenges are used to:

  • Confirm or rule out allergy when test results are equivocal
  • Assess whether a child has outgrown a previous allergy
  • Introduce foods that have previously been avoided

Management Plans for Food Allergy

Following assessment, Dr Anandarajan will provide a personalised management plan which may include:

  • Written allergy action plan (emergency plan)
  • Prescription of adrenaline auto-injectors where indicated
  • Antihistamine and steroid prescriptions for mild-moderate reactions
  • Dietary advice and referral to a specialist paediatric dietician
  • Guidance on food labelling and allergen avoidance
  • School and nursery allergy management letters
  • Follow-up plan to reassess allergy over time

Food Allergy Testing in Belfast

Dr Mugilan Anandarajan provides private food allergy testing for children at two convenient locations in Belfast — Kingsbridge Private Hospital (Lisburn Road) and Ulster Independent Clinic (Stranmillis Road). No GP referral is required and appointments are typically available within a few days.

For further information about food allergy testing, also visit belfastallergyclinic.com and belfastchildrensclinic.com.