Why doesn't the NHS allergy test young children?

[thehappyegg]

Just that really. My three year old keeps getting mild allergic reactions with no obvious cause (hives around mouth, swollen eyes). GP says they won't refer him for allergy testing.

There is family history of severe allergies on both sides and it really scares me that he could one day have a severe allergic reaction.

Has anyone had their children privately tested? By a reputable paediatrician, not one of those Chinese medicine places or similar.

We live in London.

They do. My dd was tested after two bouts of hives, swollen face and eyes after eating peanuts at age 2.5. She had a blood test and skin pin prick test for all nuts and dust mites about 3 months later. Then she had a follow up test a year later. She’s mildly allergic to peanuts and has a severe dust mite allergy.

Official guidance the NHS is supposed to follow:

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg116

DS was allergy tested at 6 months old after he had an anaphylactic reaction. He's regularly tested every 6 months.

Our ds did after having a reaction to peanuts under a year old. He went in an ambulance to A+E which prompted the referral, never saw the GP about it.