Allergy · Belfast
Food Allergy Assessment in Children
Private food allergy assessment for children in Belfast and Northern Ireland. Dr Mugilan Anandarajan, Consultant Paediatrician, provides expert allergy testing and management — no GP referral required.
What is Food Allergy?
A food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger signs and symptoms such as hives, swollen airways, or digestive problems.
Food allergy affects around 5–8% of children in the UK. The most common food allergens in children include cow's milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish.
Food Allergy vs Food Intolerance
A true food allergy involves an immune response and can be life-threatening. Food intolerance (such as lactose intolerance) causes digestive symptoms but is not immune-mediated and is not life-threatening.
Types of Food Allergy
IgE-mediated (immediate)
Symptoms appear within minutes to 2 hours of eating the food. Includes hives, swelling, vomiting, and anaphylaxis.
Non-IgE-mediated (delayed)
Symptoms appear hours to days later. Often affects the gut — vomiting, diarrhoea, reflux, and poor weight gain.
Mixed IgE / non-IgE
Features of both immediate and delayed reactions, such as in eosinophilic oesophagitis.
Symptoms of Food Allergy in Children
Skin
- Hives (urticaria)
- Eczema flares
- Swelling (angioedema)
- Redness or rash
Gut
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Reflux / regurgitation
- Poor weight gain
Respiratory
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
Anaphylaxis — Emergency Signs
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. Signs include swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. Call 999 immediately.
When Should You Seek Help?
Your child reacts every time they eat a particular food
Symptoms appear within minutes of eating (hives, swelling, vomiting)
Your child has had a previous anaphylactic reaction
Eczema is not controlled despite standard treatment
Your child has persistent gut symptoms (reflux, vomiting, diarrhoea)
You are concerned about poor weight gain or faltering growth
Your child has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen)
You want a formal allergy assessment and management plan
What Happens During the Consultation?
Detailed Clinical History
Dr Anandarajan will take a thorough history of your child's symptoms, diet, family history of allergy, and any previous reactions.
Physical Examination
A full clinical examination including skin, respiratory, and growth assessment.
Allergy Testing
Skin prick testing and/or specific IgE blood tests are arranged based on the clinical history.
Management Plan
A personalised allergy management plan including allergen avoidance advice, emergency action plan (if needed), and follow-up.
Investigations Available
Skin prick testing
Tests for IgE-mediated allergy to common foods and environmental allergens. Results available in 15–20 minutes.
Specific IgE blood tests
Measures allergen-specific IgE antibodies in the blood. Useful when skin prick testing is not possible.
Component-resolved diagnostics
Advanced blood tests that identify specific allergenic proteins, helping predict severity of reaction.
Total IgE
A general marker of allergic tendency.
Full blood count
Eosinophilia may indicate allergic disease.
Expert Food Allergy Care in Belfast
Dr Mugilan Anandarajan has a special clinical interest in paediatric allergy, including food allergy, cow's milk protein intolerance, and eczema. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Health Science Allergy and has extensive experience managing children with complex allergic conditions.
Appointments are available at Kingsbridge Private Hospital and Ulster Independent Clinic, Belfast. No GP referral is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?
A food allergy involves an immune system reaction to a food protein. IgE-mediated (immediate) allergies cause symptoms within minutes to 2 hours of eating — such as hives, swelling, vomiting, or anaphylaxis. Non-IgE-mediated (delayed) allergies cause symptoms hours to days later, typically affecting the gut and skin. Food intolerance does not involve the immune system and is not life-threatening, though it can cause significant discomfort.
What are the most common food allergies in children?
The most common food allergies in children are cow's milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts (cashew, walnut, almond), wheat, soy, sesame, fish, and shellfish. Milk and egg allergies are most common in infants and young children, while peanut and tree nut allergies tend to persist into adulthood.
What are the signs of a food allergy in a baby or young child?
Signs of IgE-mediated food allergy include hives (urticaria), swelling of the lips or face (angioedema), vomiting, diarrhoea, runny nose, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis (difficulty breathing, collapse). Signs of non-IgE-mediated allergy include eczema flares, reflux, vomiting, loose stools, blood in the stool, and poor weight gain.
What is anaphylaxis and how serious is it?
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that affects multiple body systems simultaneously. Symptoms include throat swelling, difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, and collapse. It requires immediate treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine). Children at risk of anaphylaxis should carry an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) at all times.
Do I need a GP referral to see Dr Anandarajan about my child's food allergy?
No. You can book directly without a GP referral. Dr Anandarajan sees children aged 0–16 with suspected or confirmed food allergy at Kingsbridge Private Hospital and Ulster Independent Clinic in Belfast.
What allergy tests are available for children?
Allergy testing options include skin prick testing (SPT), specific IgE blood tests (RAST/ImmunoCAP), and component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) for more detailed risk assessment. The choice of test depends on the child's age, the suspected allergen, and the clinical history. Patch testing is used for contact allergies and some non-IgE-mediated reactions.
Will my child grow out of their food allergy?
Many children outgrow milk and egg allergies by school age. Peanut, tree nut, sesame, fish, and shellfish allergies are more likely to be lifelong. Regular review with allergy testing helps determine whether tolerance has developed. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is an emerging treatment for some food allergies.
How should I manage my child's food allergy at school?
Children with food allergy should have an individual healthcare plan (IHP) and an allergy action plan at school. Staff should be trained to recognise and treat allergic reactions. Children at risk of anaphylaxis should have two adrenaline auto-injectors kept at school. Dr Anandarajan can provide the necessary documentation and guidance.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
About food allergy in children in children
Concerned about food allergy in your child?
Dr Anandarajan offers same-week appointments with no GP referral required at Kingsbridge Private Hospital and Ulster Independent Clinic, Belfast.