K.F. asks from Chandler, AZ on June 09, 2011
Allergy Testing for 15 Month Old
My 15 month old son has allergies. Nothing severe. He has had some eczema in the past but that has been under control for months now. We use vanicream once per day and that is it. Really nothing to speak of. He lay on the cats once and turned red and itchy so I am assuming he may have a cat allergy but of course nothing notable since and he is around the cats all the time. He had the RAST blood test done at 1 year and he tested a 1 for wheat and milk and a 2 for eggs and peanuts. He drinks goats milk and has recently been introduced to cows milk protein (yogurt and cheese) with no reaction. Same with eggs and wheat. He accidentally found a pice of peanut butter toast at a family members house and again no reaction. Today at my son's 15 month well check she suggested we see an allergist for skin testing to get a definitive answer. I just don't think this is necessary. He is having no real symptoms or reactions. He is in the 25% for weight and 75% for height and meeting his milestones. I also think I heard that skin testing isn't definitive until 3 years of age. Does anyone have any experience with this, suggestions or advice. Like I said I have recently relaxed his diet restrictions with no changes in this bowels, skin, sleep etc. I am a Registered Dietitian so I obviously have a lot of experience with food, ingredients etc.
Thanks!
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J.J. answers from Chicago on June 09, 2011
If you still need to use the vanicream, then it would appear that he is still having some reaction (skin-wise) whether it's food, chemical or environmental.
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J.N. answers from Salt Lake City on June 09, 2011
Just remember that it generally takes 2-3 exposures or more before the body really develops an allergy. So keep introducing things very slowly, and watch him closely for many times (especially with peanuts and eggs!) because it could go from nothing to rather severe in one exposure. But after multiple times, it's probably safe to rule it out.
Kids have a tendency to be mildly allergic to something at a young age and potentially outgrow it; part of the key for this is not introducing things too young. I'd wait till he's 2 to really introduce nuts & peanuts, for example.
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L.K. answers from Atlanta on June 09, 2011
My DS had lots of trouble with eczema when he was an infant, and we were told that any allergy testing before age 3 is not accurate. He just had a skin test done and is allergy free! I would just keep plugging along until his 3rd birthday. Since his allergies are not severe, the Dr.'s probably won't give him anything more than recommending Benadryl, Claritin, or Zyrtec. I know it stinks! Best of luck!
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S.R. answers from Kansas City on June 09, 2011
My son is having the test in August, they wouldn't even give us a refferal for him to Childrens until he was 3.
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J.J. answers from Chicago on June 09, 2011
If you still need to use the vanicream, then it would appear that he is still having some reaction (skin-wise) whether it's food, chemical or environmental.
1 mom found this helpful
N.J. answers from Los Angeles on June 09, 2011
We've had random breathing and rash issues with both my sons. Our Pediatrician will only do the blood work until age 3. After that if there is significant signs of allergies they'll go ahead and send us to an allergist who then can or cannot recommend a skin test. Maybe ask for a referral to an allergist to see if they really think its necessary. Or you can just tell them you'd rather wait until he's older and just treat the symptoms at this point. It's really all up to you in the end, even though I know how easy it is to just go with what they tell you! Good luck :)
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L.F. answers from Chicago on June 09, 2011
Oh brother! I agree with you. If he has no symptoms or reactions, then what is the point of these allergy tests?
Allergy tests can be horribly inaccurate. I know, because I've been through all of that. I tested positive for things that never gave me problems, and I tested negative for things that I know I'm allergic to. The tests are pretty expensive too.
Save yourself and your son the aggravation and skip the tests for now. I'm glad to hear that your son has outgrown his allergies.
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F.C. answers from New York on June 09, 2011
Trust your motherly instincts (and dietician knowledge) you know your child best!
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L.M. answers from Phoenix on June 09, 2011
My doctor suggested we wait until 2 and we already know my daughter is highly allergic to peanuts. He said it wasn't as accurate before that and the only reason to test at 2 was because of her known allergy to peanuts.
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