Allergy testing

I am taking dd to an allergist in July and Im curious to whats going to take place at our visit... TIA

Allergy testing

When we took our son, He had a few rashes and we did not know why. The first thing they did was a skin test. The scrape his skin with common allergy foods, and see if he or she has any reactions. They can give you some minor results, but when my son was allergic to a few things we had blood-work done, and that had more accurate results. Was not too bad, but as they get older, and get the blood work done, well, you know how that can go with a young one.

Re: Allergy testing

was the skin testing painful? It sounds like it would be..

Re: Allergy testing

Posted by browneyes

was the skin testing painful? It sounds like it would be..

Re: Allergy testing

The skin test is a little painful. The initial test is like 6 teensy needles on what looks like a brush. They have the allergens in them and it's all done at the same time. Both DD and DS cried when it happens, but it was likely more from the shock of it than it being very painful. They calmed quickly.

Once that test is done, any ones that look "suspect" are redone with a higher dose. Those are done individually. The needles are super tiny, but it is uncomfortable for them.

It'll be ok. These offices are so well versed in dealing with little ones. My kids were allowed to pick out movies to watch and they got stickers. Bring something your LO likes to do, like coloring books, or some apps on a phone.

Good luck. I've been through it many times over the past 5 years (both DD and DS have food and environmental allergies) so please fm me if you need some support or have questions.

Re: Allergy testing

Blood tests are actually not as reliable as skin tests because they are not as sensitive. They are good alternatives however when you can't do a prick test.

Both of my girls have had the prick test - and in fact DD#1 had both blood AND prick tests. We were just at the allergists yesterday and DD#2 (turned 3 end of May) had prick tests. This doctor does them on the arm. He won't do more than about 8-10 at a time. DD#2 didn't even flinch once when they poked her arm. They put the liquid onto a plastic little stick and they poke the skin with it. They also do a histamine and a saline to compare because some people will react to any prick so they have a reference. DD#2 was very easy she sat there and played with my nook. DD#1 on the other hand was a bit harder because we had to hold her hand because she was itchy. We have to go back in about 2 weeks because we didn't find the cause of DD's hives and allergies. So now we have to do more testing for her. We thought she had a reaction to either strawberries or cashews but was negative for both.

There are a couple of different ways to do skin testing - prick, putting the allergen under the skin and a patch test where they place a patch on you for a certain amount of time.

Unfortunately I have had a lot of experience as I have been tested a number of times, as has my father, DH and now both my girls.

Re: Allergy testing

Thanks so much for all the response, I like knowing what im walking into before hand so i can be prepared. lol

What allergist do you guys see or recomend for the little ones?
My Ped recomened Dr Daian Cristina at Family Allergy & Asthma Care

Message edited 6/22/2012 2:09:04 PM.

Re: Allergy testing

Re: Allergy testing