What should a parent tell their child before allergy testing regarding medications?

Before undergoing allergy testing, it is important for a child to stop allergy medications for a certain period of time so that accurate test results can be obtained. Certain medications, particularly antihistamines, can interfere with the skin tests or blood tests that are commonly performed during the allergy assessment. Stopping these medications for approximately four days prior to the appointment allows the body's histamine levels to return to a baseline, providing a clearer picture of the child's allergic sensitivities.

This practice is essential because if medications are still present in the system during testing, they may mask the allergic reactions that would otherwise be indicated, leading to false negatives. Therefore, advising the parent to stop allergy medications four days prior to the appointment is aligned with best practice guidelines for allergy testing, ensuring that the results are as informative and accurate as possible.