Pediatric Allergy Testing

[becka]

We think DS4 has some allergy issues that need to be addressed. We are taking him to an allergist in a few weeks for testing. The office mentioned there are like 5 blocks of needle pricks that they use or something like that. Has anyone had this done recently? I kind of want to know what to expect so I can prepare DS for it.

Thanks!

 

[mommasita]

My son was 10 this past summer when he had it done, but the office sent me a nice letter addressing what to expect.

It went something like this:

We will start by explaining to your child, and then do a scratch test, if necessary, we will then do the needle test. So, please explain to him/her that there is a possibility of small pin pricks that feel like mosquito bites, etc. Your son is much younger, so it may be more difficult. Just a side note, they did say that they almost NEVER have to do the needles, but my son needed them. His arm was swollen for a day, as he was positive for certain things. They also made his arm look like a railroad map, he thought that was cute.

I know it may be harder, as your son is younger, hope this helps a little. By the way, the next day, there were no marks, swellings or anything, and he tested positive for 5 things..

Hope it goes as smoothly as possible. I chickened out, and sent DH...He said they were amazingly wonderful..

 

[debbi801]

When my kids had this done, the allergist we used did not use needles for the kids. It was almost like a plastic comb where each tooth was dipped in an allergen and then the comb was pressed into the arm. It was pressed hard enough to make little indentations, but did not break the skin. Then, the kids watched videos until the time was up for the spots to be checked.

HTH!

 

[Sthronds]

I've had the scratch test done several times (always get different results too. . . ). The way they did it on me did not hurt but it itched. I was on my stomach while they did the test and for about 15 minutes after. You might want to bring books to read to him while he lays there. Tell him it will itch but that he can't scratch. The scratches that they make are very small and not deep so they don't really hurt but with a little guy it might be scary. Anything you can do to distract him will help.

 

[jann1033]

my daughter also had it done when she was preschool...the thing they used looked like a plastic picnic table( but much smaller like for a doll house) so she never saw any "needles" they just pressed it into her skin...she has always been a trooper but never even said ouch or cried that i remember...same dr actually did a needle test on me so i am guessing they did the picnic table one since she was little...like others mentioned, the itching from the positives( which were most for her) were worse than the actual test

 

[shortbun]

My pediatrician just gave my son Zyrtec and his allergies were so much better. He's 11 and we still don't know exactly what he's allergic to but I can tell for certain about Cotton Wood pollen and grass and ragweed. The Ped didn't want to put him through the testing.

 

[Ava83]

We went through the test-poor baby hated it. They go on the back with (I have blocked so I cannot remember)allergens and kinda break it out into a pattern-The child needs to stay very still. That is the key I guess.

After all that we found out she did not have allergies but a chronic sinus infection. Which we think finally cleared after 3 rounds of antibotics.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well...#1 what kind of "issues"?

I am not a fan of the back scratch test for allergies. It does not test for mild.

Now if you think your son has severe allergies this will rule it out quick.

 

[floridafam]

DS10 had it done a few months ago and was fine with it. I'm not sure a 5 yr old is going to be very comfortable. They poked up and down both arms with little needle like things. He did say it felt uncomfortable but nothing awful.

 

[honeymom]

I've had it done and I've also had it done to my DD.

The scratch test isn't too big a deal (even for a little kid). The only problem is that many of us (including DD and me) don't have any response to the scratch test. Then they have to move to shots. I told my daughter not to worry, they were just a little into the skin, but she complained they hurt. And, you know what, when I got them done, they did hurt.

I hope your 5 year old responds to the scratch test and doesn't need the shot.

 

[ducklite]

I had serum testing done. They pulled a vial of blood out of my arm, sent it off to a lab, ten days later I had a list of everything they tested for (75 or so of the most common environmental allergens) and how allergic I was too each, including molds.

Anne

 

[floridafam]

DS also had his blood drawn by our Dr. in Michigan and his Dr. here in Florida said that it is not as accurate as the skin testing.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

DS had it done a few years ago. Like someone said above, it's uncomfortable because it's itchy and prickly (the Dr called it the pricker test). I brought liquid Benadryl with me to the office visit, to give to DS as soon as the Dr said it was ok.

 

[ducklite]

DS also had his blood drawn by our Dr. in Michigan and his Dr. here in Florida said that it is not as accurate as the skin testing.

Because the blood actually measures titres (which is how they determine exactly how allergic you are to something), I would think that is actually more accurate than a skin test that could have a variety of environmental factors affecting it.

Anne

 

[becka]

He has a multitude of allergic symptoms over the years but we don't know what is causing it. My guess is we have several things going on and since some of the symptoms seem to be worse lately I really want to check it out since we do have family histories of allergies (environmental and food) in our family.

To start out with from the beginning DS could not tolerate regular formula and because of a family history with soy he had to be put on the hypoallergenic formala Alimentum ($$$$ - thank goodness we are done with it). Over the years we noticed that he vomited whenever he ate eggs (not baked in stuff but things like scrambled eggs and/or items with lots of egg content like french toast) so we just had him avoid all eggs and items with lots of eggs. He also has had big dark circles under his eyes for a long time that the doctor says are indicative of allergies. We put him on Zyrtec for a while but it didn't seem to help with the circles so we wonder if Zyrtec is not working on the particular allergies he might have. In addition he has broken out in rashes on and off for years that we have never been able to pinpoint the cause. The rashes seem to have gotten worse lately and appear to be bothering him more since we notice a lot of scratch marks on his torso.

My biggest concern is that he has a milk/dairy allergy and I really would like to get some confirmation if that is the case. My DS was never a big milk drinker until he discovered chocolate milk a few months ago and I am thinking the increased rashes may be related. His behavior the last few months has also been off and while it could just be a phase or bad parenting my understanding is that allergies can have an impact on behavior so we are curious about this as well.

I hate to put him through the testing but it is at a point where I really feel like we need to identify any possible allergies so we can make some changes to see if it helps things. Thankfully he is a real trooper when it comes to doctors and shots so I hope it won't be too bad. The office told us to bring a DVD so he can watch a movie while all of this is going on.

I appreciate all your info! I like to be at least a little prepared because I know he will have lots of questions for me.

 

[luvflorida]

DD16 had this done recently. The scratch tests weren't too bad. They did multiple scratch tests on the forearm of her right arm. She had to wait five or ten minutes in between tests. If they had found something she was allergic to, they would have stopped at the end of the scratch tests. However, they didn't find anything, so they had to do the needle tests on her left forearm.


The needles looked like very tiny, skinny nails, (that's what I was thinking when I saw them), and the nurse stuck my daughter approximately twelve times with these needles. They kind of go in under the skin, not all the way through like a regular needle. Not too scare you or anything, but it was a slow process, and my daughter said it hurt. She tried not to show it in front of the nurse, but the tears welled up. Again, the nurse would have stopped sooner if there was any type of allergic reaction, but there never was.

Again, maybe my daughter is just super sensitive to pain, (I know she hates needles), so hopefully, not everyone has the same reaction. I do know I felt bad for her, and I was glad when the tests were done.

The good news about having the tests done, is that we now know she isn't allergic to anything, and her regular doctor can stop pushing allergy meds on her. She seems to have a lot of sore throats and problems with her tonsils, so now we can look at other remedies.

Bring something to distract your little guy; maybe read him a book or have him listen to his favorite music. Afterwards, take him out for a special treat, and give him lots of hugs and kisses! Good luck to both of you!

 

[belle&beast]

DD5 had the block test over the summer. The worst part of it was trying to keep her still opon her tummy. There were no needles and it is different from the scratch test which I had about 7 years age. Just bring something to keep him occupied and I think you will be fine.

 

[PaulaSue]

I hadd to take my middle DD a few years ago. It wasn't bad just sitting a long time there. Take something fun/quite to do.

 

[bengalbelle]

He has a multitude of allergic symptoms over the years but we don't know what is causing it. My guess is we have several things going on and since some of the symptoms seem to be worse lately I really want to check it out since we do have family histories of allergies (environmental and food) in our family.

To start out with from the beginning DS could not tolerate regular formula and because of a family history with soy he had to be put on the hypoallergenic formala Alimentum ($$$$ - thank goodness we are done with it). Over the years we noticed that he vomited whenever he ate eggs (not baked in stuff but things like scrambled eggs and/or items with lots of egg content like french toast) so we just had him avoid all eggs and items with lots of eggs. He also has had big dark circles under his eyes for a long time that the doctor says are indicative of allergies. We put him on Zyrtec for a while but it didn't seem to help with the circles so we wonder if Zyrtec is not working on the particular allergies he might have. In addition he has broken out in rashes on and off for years that we have never been able to pinpoint the cause. The rashes seem to have gotten worse lately and appear to be bothering him more since we notice a lot of scratch marks on his torso.

My biggest concern is that he has a milk/dairy allergy and I really would like to get some confirmation if that is the case. My DS was never a big milk drinker until he discovered chocolate milk a few months ago and I am thinking the increased rashes may be related. His behavior the last few months has also been off and while it could just be a phase or bad parenting my understanding is that allergies can have an impact on behavior so we are curious about this as well.

I hate to put him through the testing but it is at a point where I really feel like we need to identify any possible allergies so we can make some changes to see if it helps things. Thankfully he is a real trooper when it comes to doctors and shots so I hope it won't be too bad. The office told us to bring a DVD so he can watch a movie while all of this is going on.

I appreciate all your info! I like to be at least a little prepared because I know he will have lots of questions for me.

It's been a few years since DS had his test, but your son sounds almost just like him.

Regarding the test, they did the needle test on his arm. They circled each injection site and we had to go back in a day or so to see if the redness/swelling increased. It did hurt him, and he itched a lot. I think we gave him Benadryl right after. His test was inconclusive, and the pediatric allergist said it was probably due to his age (he had just turned 2). He said he could look at him and tell he had allergies.

DS also has the dark circles under his eyes, family history of allergies (both food and environmental, but mostly environmental), was on Alimentum (though he tolerates dairy well now), breaks out in rashes occasionally, and vomits after eating grits

Right now he's on Zyrtec, Rhinocort, Flovent, Xopenex and Singulair. They seem to be helping, but nothing gives him complete relief. He will probably end up having to take allergy shots, but I'd like him to be older before we go that route. He does not do well with shots.

Good luck to your son. I hope you find something that works for him.

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

DS had the scratch test about three years ago at the age of 8. The doctor told us that he set a record for their office in his reaction time. He reacted faster than any other person they had ever seen. However, his reactions were not severe. He is highly allergic, but has few symptoms. He is allergic to pollen and things like that.
We decided that we would find a home for our cat and do some things around our house to decrease his symptoms. We bought a special mattress pad and pillows. For the past three years he has taken over the counter medicine for his symptoms. DH finally got tired of DS's sniffling and insisted I take him back to the allergist.

The allergist answered all of my questions. I am so glad I did. He also said that someone highly allergic would have a better chance at having success with the allergy shots. He didn't pressure me at all.
I am so embarrassed to admit that I always thought the allergy shots were medicine. I had no idea that they were injecting people with the substances that they were allergic to so that their bodies would build up immunities to them. Geez. If I had known that I would have had him start the allergy shots three years ago! So DS has been doing the allergy shots for a few months now. He will have to have them for several years. However, it is our hope that he will eventually be allergy-free. It is worth it. DS has no problems with the shots. We have to wait 30 minutes at the doctor's office right after he has the shots to make sure there is no redness. It's so simple. I just wish I had understood the process when he was 8!

Good luck in finding the right treatment for your DS. It is much better when you know what the problem is.