Those whose LOs have had allergy testing...a little long

AngeNAndy4106

How did they test them...scratch test, bloodwork..? 

Backstory: My dd has had a persistent cough for about a month and the doc said her lungs are clear and has given her the all clear.  She is just up all night long and during naps at daycare coughing.  She has also thrown up after eating b/c of coughing fits she has been having.  The doc chalked it up to teething at first b/c she thought the congestion was causing the post nasal drip.

Then, last week when I saw her about it, she said to start her on children's zyrtec every day thinking maybe an allergy was causing this although no changes in environment or food or anything. We've seen very little improvement with the zyrtec although she hasn't thrown up as much and her nose is less runny.  

We are taking her back to double check her lungs today and the doc said she might order a chest x-ray, as well, to make sure they aren't missing anything.  She said if that comes back clear, that our next step would be allergy testing.  This freaks me out a bit b/c I've had it done where they do the scratch/pricks on your arms or back and it SUCKS!  I'd hate for that to happen to my dd. 

How did your LO get tested? I want to be prepared in case it comes to that.  Sorry for the rambling.

ms_mellor

DD has had them done twice, and to be honest, she didn't mind at all.  Both times were a scratch test.  Our allergist said that babies were way easier to do than anyone else.

I hope your DD gets better.  I don't know about where you live, but our environmental allergies have been awful for the past month....our whole household has had the sniffles, cough etc.  They suck....and my allergy meds aren't doing much to help!

goillini823

DD just had a food and pet allergy test done about 3 weeks ago.DD got poked on her back. It was not fun, and DD wasn't happy, but in hindsight I think she cried more during her shots. Dr. would check in on her every 5 min. for 15 min to make sure she wasnt having any crazy reactions. Sure enough the egg and milk ones flared up. It almost looked like a really bad mosquito bite.

 GL I hope your little one doesn't have to get poked!

AngeNAndy4106

Thanks for letting me know the scratch testing wasn't too bad for your LO. That's reassuring!  I just remember how uncomfortable it was for me, but I guess I'm just a wuss.  lol. 

 We are in Eastern PA and my allergies have definitely been bad the last few weeks. I also have a cough, but just got over a cold and chalked it up to that.  Now I'm thinking maybe it's hanging on due to allergies.  

melissa-n-paul

DD has food allergies and has had RAST which is the skin testing 2x now. She was not even phased by the first time and they did a dozen or so pricks.. no problem , no tears.. and she cries and screams for shots so i was worried. at the last RAST appt they did only about 6 pokes and DD freaked out but mostly from not knowing what the nurse was doing to her.. they do it on their back so they cant touch while they are waiting for results. DD was just concerend cause someone was behind her and touching her. it is not painful at all.