Have you ever had allergy testing?

If so, what were your results?

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

I've had such mixed results.

I don't reccomned the blood tests, where they take blood and 2 weeks later tell you what you're allergic to. i don't even understand how that could popssible work. They did this whole panel and it showed I'm allergic to nothing, even though I have severe allergies. I knew it was wrong. There are certain things I kow I'm very allergic to, and it all came up fine.

In the past though I have done the little skin prick test and then the skikn prick test where they do fewer at a time, but they actually sort of inject it.

For those tests I come up as a little allergic to a LOT of things, and very allergic to a few things.

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

Thank you so much for that detailed response, Jen.

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

I've had the skin tests done before. And once you are allergic to something you are allergic. You can grow out of it though. After they prick your skin (they use both forearms, lots of pricks) you wait about 20 minutes and you can't scratch! If you think it is specifically something they can add that to the list of things they are testing you for (like I asked for guinea pigs), but they test you for the most common allergies.

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

Don't take any antihistamines for a few days before you go. That includes a lot of cold medicine and tylenol PM.

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

Thanks Dianne.

I've been trying to look it up, but getting no answers on it - when they test for common allergens, are they including foods?

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

I had the blood test done, only because I am severly allergic to shellfish, I have never had shellfish but just from the smell my throat swells shut and so do my eyes so they did not want to give me the prick test. They told me that food allgergies you can grow into but not out of...other allergies you can grow in and out of.

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

Like for example, my test showed I'm mildly allergis to most grass and tree pollens and animal danders, though horses and dogs more than others, and I'm allergic to ciotrus fruit, shellfish, peanuts, chocolate, strawberries, tomatos and milk.

just for example

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

I'm not sure about foods. If you have a problem related to foods I would ask them about that. I have animal/environmental allergies. I'm sure it would still work the same. They are only putting a small dose on your skin, so it shouldn't be a problem. Have you spoken with any allergies?

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

Thanks again, Jen. I'm mostly concerned about food allergies so that would be a big help if you could let me know who you see.

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

Joseph Reiss, MD FAAAAI
1492 Wantagh Avenue
Wantagh, NY 11793
Ph: (516)221-6565
Fax: (516)221-0298

He also has an office in woodmere.

I drive from queens to wantagh to see him. he's very good. I haven't been in a long time though. I have to make an appointment

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

You should def. get it checked out!

I hate it when docs dismiss symptoms.

I had to pass out before teh fact that I get headaches and nausea when I don't eat was taken truly seriously

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

You've been so helpful - thank you! I'm going to see my new pc Wednesday to get started on the process. I'm going to mention your doc to him.

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

Posted by Snozberry

Posted by Hi-Fi55
Have you spoken with any allergies?

I'm looking into it now. My primary care doctor told me that my problems stemmed from 'wedding stress' so my hives, etc. were dismissed. I'm looking into allergy testing now because the reactions I'm having are more severe - as in, I can't hold down food sometimes.

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

I HIGHLY recommend seeing an allergist.

Mine is my life saver! I found out that my DAILY MAJOR headaches were all due to allergies....this is after several - MRIs, horrible meds, Neurologist & ENT Dr. visits....

I found out my severe allergy to mold did it to me...it also caused me to have asthma too.

Thankfully now I'm headache free and can breathe!

I go to an excellent dr. in Great Neck if you want his info.

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

The only thing for me that I did not persue was past blood work. When your bloodwork shows up negative, that does not mean you are not allergic. When it comes to food allergies that cause Anaphylactic shock, they do not do skin testing because it goes into your blood stream quickly. I would have had to go back for hour sessions per each food I was suspicious of and eat a little at a time. If I had a reaction then they would treat me in the office, if not then I would have to come back and go through that food again (since it takes more than one time of eating something for an allergy to show itself.) To me it was really too much trouble to go through - could you imagine going for one hour sessions per single food item-insanity! So I just don't eat the foods that I have had a reaction to (fish and certain nuts)

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

I can't imagine doing that either (eating a certain food, each hour)! I wish I could just avoid the trigger foods, but lately, I'm reacting to almost anything at any given time - it could be anything from a cookie to a chicken sandwich.

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

I had the blood work done and I got results of bunches of things I was allergic to (and I do not recall it taking long for the findings)! Cats which I already knew, dogs which would explain my constant sinus issues!! And some other stuff but I don't remember ...

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

I had allergy testing with the pin pricks. It was the best thing I could have done. I found out exactly what I was allergic to and my doctor really discussed ways to cope with my allergies with me. It's amazing... the things that I am allergic to showed up immediately. My skin instantly became red and swelled. The doctor told me I was one of the most allergic people he's seen!

Good luck Mel!!

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

You should go to an allergist, set up to get the skin testing and blood work. My allergist would not do food testing through the skin testing like I said above. Hopefully for your sake the blood work will be revealing of the food allergies. You should really try to keep a journal logging what you eat and if you have a reaction of any sort. This can be VERY helpful in narrowing down your trigger foods.

Re: Have you ever had allergy testing?

I don't think its true that you can't grow out of food allergies because my nephew has them and has grown out of some. He has life threatening food allergies to dairy, beef, nuts, seeds, certain shellfish, etc. He used to be allergic to chicken but now he can eat that. We always have an epi pen and know how to use it if he's with us. His tests consist of blood tests