Center for Allergy and Immunology

Specialized care.

Akron Children's Hospital Allergy and Immunology team uses a variety of allergy tests to help pinpoint a specific allergy, including skin tests, blood allergy tests (RAST and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E blood tests) and food challenges. 

If your child has a food allergy, our dietitian will help you outline a meal plan that ensures your child still receives the nutrients his growing body needs. They will also give you a list of foods to avoid and symptoms to look for in the event your child ingests a suspected food. 

Disorders we routinely see include hay fever, hives, food and drug allergies, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, immune deficiencies, chronic sinusitis and nasal polyposis. 

Allergy patch testing.

In some individuals, exposure to certain metals, cosmetics, clothing or chemicals can cause contact dermatitis. 

We offer a special clinic for allergy patch testing to help identify the cause of an allergic skin reaction, so you can avoid exposure to the substance. We may also perform allergy patch testing before surgery with metal implants to ensure there are no potential metal allergies.

The most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis are:

• Nickel, a metal often used in jewelry
• Fragrances
• Preservatives
• Rubber
• Hair dye
• Various adhesives
• Topical medications, such as antibiotic or steroid creams

Your child may benefit from allergy patch testing if he or she has:

• Persistent eczema with a suspected contact allergy
• Any chronic dermatitis, especially involving the hands, feet, face or eyelids

Individuals with eczema who work in high-risk jobs for contact dermatitis - such as healthcare workers, dental assistants, cosmetologists, machinists or rubber and plastics workers - may also benefit from allergy patch testing.