Allergy Testing

My 17 yr old daughter suffered with allergies since she was six years old. She would come home from school with shiners under her eyes, sniffling. We noticed that she also started to react to cats. Itchy eyes and such. And then the milk sensitivity. Apples were next. We finally had her tested last September and it showed several allergies we never guessed!

We have been raising guinea pigs since they are like kittens and she didn't seem allergic to rodents. When the tests came back, she was not only allergic to cats and dogs, but also the piggies! We thought it was just the hay they ate that she was allergic to.

Turns out, she is not allergic to apples, just the pollen on the skin of the apple. And she wasn't allergic to the Timothy hay, just the pollen that the grass collects (and is dispersed when cut). She is not allergic to milk, just lactose intolerant.

So, getting your child tested early rather than later is a better idea. It gives you a better road map for avoidance and may surprise you. It might not be a food allergy, but pollen attached to the food. My daughter doesn't react to applesauce, just raw, unpeeled apples.

The testing isn't too bad. I think it took 15 minutes for the type of skin testing they used. They have this plastic "comb" sort of thing and they dip the tips of the plastic comb in a tray (like a small ice cube tray) with each pocket filled with serum of typical allergens. They then press this on the child's back. It doesn't hurt. The child has to lay on their stomach for about 15 or 20 mins. You can actually see hives marking the different spots. Each panel is marked on the skin so they can gauge how large the reaction is and give you a print out of everything.

They can send out to have the allergy shot serum made, specifically for the things your child is allergic to. Kids come in once a week to have their allergy shot. Usually given in the arm (subcutaneously, in the fat layer, not the muscle). They have to have the shot somewhere where they can handle any severe allergic reactions. We take her to the ER where her dad works and he gives her the shots. But people usually just go to the allergists office.

There is also a blood test for tracking down the allergies. I don't know if it covers everything you may want to check, but that is a fine option, too. And there is a sublingual (under the tongue) administration available, which is nice when you think of how children usually view getting shots. We go to the Allergy and Asthma Specialists,PC. located in Blue Bell ###-###-####). They have offices in Lansdale, Jenkintown, Pottstown, Collegeville, Doylestown and Phila. I guess you can call the one to get the number of the closest office.

I am anxious to see if the start of the allergy season (which could be now) will bring fewer symptoms for my daughter. She may even be able to abandon some of her chronic medications and stop having to use her inhaler. Maybe someday, she can own a cat or dog!

My 4 year son is a textbook allergy case - dark circles under eyes, constantly rubbing nose, and freuqent sinus infections. He has been allergy tested twice and nothing has shown!! Our allergist says this is common and sometimes allergies will never show on skin tests. He still put him on nasonex, singulair, and zyrtec because the symptoms are still there. My point is just to take results lightly - they don't seem very accurate.

I would absolutely say to have her tested. She must be having these reactions for some reason and it's in her best interests for you to find out why. That way if it is an allergic reaction, you can be prepared and know what to do, especially with a nut allergy as I know those can become severe. My son started having reactions at my parents house (cats) where he would get congested, have coughing fits, red/itchy/watery eyes, etc. My ped suggested the testing but left it up to me and we went ahead with it. Turns out he has a high cat allergy and a lower dog allergy (tho he has never reacted to a dog). It was also good finding out he wasn't allergic to the hundred+ other things they tested for. This was 2 years ago and the test was a blood draw. While it wasn't fun for him, it far outweighed not knowing as now I know what to do when we visit with allergy meds and such. I think if you have any cause for concern, it's best to find out, especially with a reaction to nuts. Good luck!

As someone with allergies her whole life, I can honestly say you should get your daughter tested. I don't have food allergies but have always been allergic to pretty much everything outside and all animals, mold and dust.

If you get her tested, they can begin to treat her and she may not always be allergic. In addition, if she has a life-threatening reaction to something you would want to be prepared than to have an emergency develop.

It's annoying and uncomfortable to be tested, but it's over shortly and gives the doctors a better idea of how to treat you. They can even do shots to expose you a little at a time to the allergen to build up your immunities and help you decrease your allergies.

Definitely find out BEFORE getting a dog. You wouldn't want to be attached to a dog and have to give her away. I know I get migraines around animals and we have decided we will never have animals live in our house so we don't have to make the choice.

Now I am almost 30 and for the first time in my life, my allergies are significantly lower than they have ever been.

Good luck!

I have a son who is 10 and his face would swell up when he played in the grass, he has asthma also. He would wheeze when we were around animals. His pediatrician thought I was a little extreme to put him through allergy testing, but I went w/ my gut and did it anyway. It turned out that he was allergic to every tree, grass, cats, dogs, dust mites, cock roaches, basically the only thing that he was not allergic to were mold and feathers. They did not do food allergies because he never had problems w/ foods except his tongue would itch when he ate certain fruits, which the doctor explained was because he is allergic to trees and the fruit grew on trees. If I were you I would go for it. My son is actually starting allergy shots today. He is allergic to so many things they needed to make 2 different serums which means one shot in each arm every week. I was shocked when I saw almost all of the 48 scratches turn up positive when they did the skin test. I am glad that I went w/ my gut and not what his pediatrician thought.

I think your instincts are good. You do not need to rely on your pediatrician. If you suspect any allergies, then go for it and head to an allergist. I did it with my kids(I did it when my son was 6; he's now 18. At the time of his intial visit, the allergist suggested waiting to start allergy injections and we actually didn't start until he was 13, but he needed it. We also did it with our daughter. She does have some allergies, but not as severe as her brother or myself or husband.

Nut allergies are serious and shouldn't be taken lightly. Pet allergies can also be serious and you should know if there are allergies before you invest in a dog.

If you are looking for a good allergist, I will be happy to share the group we use. They have several offices (city and suburbs).

Good Luck,
Maria

Putting such a young child through the test to me would not be very pleasant. It is not pleasant. My dsughter went through the testing but it was after she was 10 years old. To me it sounds as if your child may be allergic to pet dander. Getting a dog would definitly not be a good idea until this is resolved. Me personally I would try another allergist and get a second opionion. Try one that specializes in small children, you may need to ask this when you call. Good Luck to you. I know exactly how you feel, it took us awhile until they were able to figure out what our daughter was allergic to.