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When to see a Food Allergy Specialist

While the conversation about your child’s food allergies will often start with a pediatrician, there may come a time when you want your child’s healthcare team to include a specialist, like an allergist (a doctor who focuses on respiratory and allergic diseases), a dermatologist (a doctor who focuses on skin diseases), or a gastroenterologist (a doctor who focuses on the digestive system, including the stomach and intestines).

On this page, you will review:

  • Reasons to see a specialist
  • How a specialist can help you and your baby
  • How to prepare for an appointment with a specialist
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  • alert iconThis guide is here to support you with easy-to-understand, medically reviewed food allergy and anaphylaxis information you can trust. Use this as a resource as you prepare to talk with your child’s healthcare team.

What does an allergy specialist do?

Allergists are experts in treating food allergies. They are board-certified in allergy and immunology, the study of the immune system. A pediatric allergist is a doctor who understands what allergies look like in infants, young children, and even teens. An allergist is trained to:

  • Figure out what your child is reacting to and make a diagnosis.
  • Do allergy testing (like a skin test or blood tests).
  • Decide if your child needs a supervised oral food challenge.
  • Create a care plan to help your child stay safe and feel better.
  • Help decide if treatments like oral immunotherapy or biologics may be needed.
  • Work with you on whether an elimination diet is appropriate.
  • Decide if you have to remove specific foods from your child’s diet.
  • Prescribe epinephrine.
  • Create an anaphylaxis action plan.

They can also help when it’s unclear what’s causing your child’s reactions or when allergies affect daily life.

Reasons to see a pediatric allergist

Your child’s pediatrician may refer you to a pediatric allergist (or an allergist who is also comfortable treating children) for food allergy treatment if…

  • Your child had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
  • You think your child has a food allergy, either to a particular food, or you are unsure what is causing the reaction.
  • Your child has eczema, especially if it’s hard to control.
  • You notice sneezing, itchy eyes, or a runny nose after eating food.
  • Your child has a diagnosed allergy, and you would like to know about food allergy treatment options.

You might also want to see an allergist if you are wondering…

  • Is your child’s eczema connected to certain foods?
  • How do you safely start feeding solids like peanut or egg to your baby?
  • Should your child avoid certain foods?

How allergists help babies and toddlers

  • Guide families on when and how to introduce allergenic foods (like peanut or egg).
  • Share the latest science to help prevent or manage food allergies with new treatments.
  • Help reintroduce foods safely if your child has had a reaction or has been avoiding certain foods.
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What conditions do pediatric allergists manage?

Allergists treat a wide range of respiratory, allergic and skin conditions, including:

  • Anaphylaxis: a severe allergic reaction affecting the whole body.
  • Food allergies: reactions like hives, swelling, vomiting, or trouble breathing after eating certain foods, can be mild or severe.
  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis): itchy, dry and bumpy patches of skin.
  • Urticaria (hives): raised, itchy welts on the skin
  • Drug allergies: reactions to medications like antibiotics.
  • Environmental allergies: reactions to pollen, dust, mold, or pets.
  • Insect sting allergies: strong reactions to bee or wasp stings.
  • Allergic rhinitis: stuffy or runny nose from things in the air.
  • Asthma: wheezing, coughing, or trouble breathing.
  • GI disorders: stomach issues linked to food, such as eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE) and FPIES.

How to get a referral?

Ask your pediatrician if a referral to a food allergy specialist is right for your child. Pediatricians can use the AAP Specialty Consult Request Form to refer patients to an allergist.

Or you can search for an allergist through professional medical society websites:

Preparing for your baby’s allergy appointment

When you know what to ask during an allergist appointment, you will feel more confident and prepared. Bring a list of questions so you don’t forget what matters most to you. Here are some questions to start with:

  • What’s causing my child’s symptoms?
  • What are my child’s food allergens?
  • What food allergy testing do you recommend, and why?
  • How to know if my child has multiple food allergies?
  • What treatments are available?
  • What signs should I watch for that mean a reaction is life-threatening?
  • What is my child’s risk level of a food allergy reaction?
  • How do I give epinephrine?
  • Can you explain my child’s anaphylaxis action plan?
  • How do I safely introduce or reintroduce foods like peanut or egg?
  • What’s the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?
  • Are there any changes we should make at home or at daycare?
  • How should I manage my child’s condition day to day?
  • How do you read food labels?

Along with your questions, it’s helpful to write down the following information for your allergist to understand your child’s condition better:

Symptom history. When symptoms started, what did your child eat or do before the reaction? How long did the reaction last and how serious was it?

Photos. Bring pictures (if you have them) of rashes or swelling.

Medical and family history. Discuss your child’s history and your family’s history of food allergies, as well as asthma, eczema and other conditions.

Medication list. Include all foods, medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies your child takes. You can also take photos of them to show your doctor.