anyone's DC have a skin prick allergy test?

baby*love

DD1 is scheduled for a skin prick test tomorrow with the allergist (testing for peanut allergy/sensitivity only). I have no idea what to expect. Is it just 1 skin prick on the forearm? Can she have a severe reaction from the test itself? She had her very first peanut butter reaction in early Jan. with facial swelling (lip) and hives; nausea etc. so this is the followup from the ER. Thanks!

meghans30

We did skin prick testing, but for antibiotics. They gradually increased the dosage to see if there was a reaction. K was tested for 4 antibiotics at once and we were there for something like 3 hours. I'd go prepared with things to keep her entertained. 

Mominator

DS did a couple of times now. It really wasn't bad at all. The first time they tested him for a bunch of stuff, so maybe like 12 pricks total, he didn't flinch at all. The second time they were only retesting the things that he had a reaction to the first time and again, no reaction from him. The hardest part was just keeping him still and not scratching it.

gracendantho26

I agree to go in prepared. We did some allergy testing this morning for Owen and were there 3 hours. The things he was allergic to resulted in raised skin with a ring aroud the bump.

To be honest there were a lot of tears but he was pricked a lot.

Good luck!

baby*love

thanks for the advice girls!

Did you also have bloodwork done before, after or in conjunction with the skin prick testing? From what I've read the RAST testing seems like it may be able to offer more insight into HOW allergic a child is vs. YES/NO to an allergen from the skin prick?

natalie042205

baby*love:

thanks for the advice girls!

Did you also have bloodwork done before, after or in conjunction with the skin prick testing? From what I've read the RAST testing seems like it may be able to offer more insight into HOW allergic a child is vs. YES/NO to an allergen from the skin prick?

My son is 3 and we did both. his skin prick test was all negative, but his RAST showed a Level 2 allergy to dogs and cats.  

jpowell3

Ds had general allergy testing last year & all the pricks were on his back so he couldn't scratch if it itched. The needles were very tiny and only the things they are allergic to will turn into an itchy bump.

Chrisy-Wyobride

If it's only for peanuts I don't know.  My DD#2 had general testing & they had at least 20 pricks on her back.  I would think the quantity is so low that it would not set off a serious reaction--but I imagine it does happen on occassion & the kid would need some Benadryl or an Epi pen shot.  Good luck!

Chrisy-Wyobride

baby*love:

thanks for the advice girls!

Did you also have bloodwork done before, after or in conjunction with the skin prick testing? From what I've read the RAST testing seems like it may be able to offer more insight into HOW allergic a child is vs. YES/NO to an allergen from the skin prick?

She had blood testing after the initial prick test---it was on a follow up appointment.  A blood draw on a little kid sucks--but if it's an experienced nurse w/ kids it'll be fine.  It does tell them more info than the scratch test.  (My DD is in a food allergy study w/ a research hospital so she had lots of tests & monitoring).