A Therapist’s Guide: Preparing For A Skin Prick Test as a Parent

Skin prick tests are uncomfortable. There’s no easy way around it. As an allergy parent myself, I get it and with our annual skin prick test on the horizon, I thought I’d share how I prepare for them.

Here are my top 3 questions for allergy parents to ask themselves:

1️⃣ How am I feeling about it?
It might be that you’re feeling scared, worried, hopeful, anxious or calm.
Ask yourself: How am I feeling about the skin prick test? What thoughts or worries do I have?
Notice them and write them down.

2️⃣ How do I want to show up for my child during the skin prick test?
Your child might be scared, worried, upset and tearful. Think about how you want to show up for them. Write down 1-2 qualities or values might you want to embody in their moment of pain or worry. This might be compassion, patience or empathy.

3️⃣ How do I want to meet myself in the tricky moments?
It might be that feelings of guilt, sadness or anger join you. Alongside self-critical or self-blaming thoughts. Consider what you might tell another allergy parent and how you might say it to them (your tone and volume of voice, your body language and facial expression).

Daniella Doon-Joseph is an accredited Psychotherapist and an allergy mum herself. She specializes in maternal mental health and helping allergy parents to navigate the anxiety and overwhelm of living with food allergies.

Wherever you are in this journey, support is available. I'd love to help — get in touch to book a free consultation.