Smart Allergists can Get Kids Through an Appointment with Ease
Taking your child to an allergist for the first time can be intimidating, especially if you don’t know what to expect.
When my son was two, we had an appointment for allergy testing and all I knew was that they were going to prick my baby with a bunch of needles. I was sure there was no way he was going to let them do that without a fight! Fortunately, our visit wasn’t nearly as traumatic as I had feared.
What I learned is that although this visit can often be unpleasant, it is worth it to find a doctor who knows how to work with children.
When we laid my son on the exam table and it became clear that he was not going to sit still for this, the smart doctor suggested using my lap instead.
I sat in a rolling chair and my son laid face down on my lap while watching a show on my phone. (The phone was a great distraction!) As we waited for the allergy results to show up on his skin, the doctor put a pillow under his head and suggested I roll around in the chair to keep my son calm.
There are many area allergists who know how to get kids through these tricky appointments. Here are a few things to expect at your first visit with an allergist.
All the Best Grand Rapids Doctors. ▶︎
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Allergist Visit
- It’s a long visit! If your child is there for a consult as well as allergy testing, the visit can take 2-3 hours. Arrange childcare for siblings so you can concentrate on your child at the appointment.
- Expect lots of paperwork. There will be questions about the reason for your visit, symptoms, medical history, your living situation, food, and environment.
- Be ready to answer questions. Your doctor will likely spend quite a bit of time discussing your answers to all of the questions in the paperwork to help determine what type of tests are needed.
- A physical exam and testing may be necessary. There will probably be a standard physical exam and assuming there is a need for allergy testing, they will conduct a prick test, blood test or whatever is deemed necessary.
- You will review test results and a treatment plan for allergies. Once the testing is completed, the doctor will discuss with you the results of the tests and discuss a treatment plan for the allergies, as well as any lifestyle or environmental changes that will need to take place going forward.
Top Voted Allergists in Grand Rapids 2026
Dealing with allergies and asthma is no joke…it can be incredibly challenging (and scary) for kids and their families. Finding an allergist who can put kids at ease and identify the help they need is priceless.
Here are the top West Michigan allergists, according to our readers:
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Best Allergists for Kids
Dr. Karyn Gell at Grand Rapids Allergy
1. Dr. Karyn Gell (Grand Rapids Allergy)
2. Dr. Mark Millar (Allergy & Asthma Care of Western Michigan)
3. Dr. Thomas Miller (Allergy Associates of Western Michigan PC)
4. Dr. Christine Schafer (Grand Rapids Allergy)
5. Dr. Sara Uekert (Grand Rapids Allergy)
6. Dr. Nicholas Hartog (Corewell Health Pediatric Allergy and Immunology)
7. Dr. Brad Boelkins (Corewell Health Pediatric Allergy and Immunology)
8. Dr. Amanda Holsworth (Corewell Health Pediatric Allergy and Immunology)
9. Dr. Ted Kelbel (Corewell Health Pediatric Allergy and Immunology)
10. Dr. Dariush Orandi (Orandi Allergy and Asthma Center)
10. Lisa Heyboer (PA-C) (Corewell Health Allergy and Immunology – Summit Park)
Best Allergy Offices
Grand Rapids Allergy
1. Grand Rapids Allergy
2. Michigan ENT & Allergy Specialists
3. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Allergy & Immunology
4. Allergy Associates of West Michigan
5. Allergy & Asthma Care of Western Michigan
6. Corewell Health Allergy and Immunology
7. Orandi Allergy and Asthma Center
