New with Allergist Question

alicb

Hi there!  I just noticed this bored today and thought you guys might be able to answer a couple of questions about DD's upcoming allergist appointment.

At DD's 9 month appointment I mentioned that both times I had added cinnamon to her pears or apples she had thrown up like 15/20 minutes later.  My pedi indicated that she might be allergic (who knew you could be allergic to cinnamon?!) and referred us to a pediatric allergist.  I then also mentioned that my husband was allergic to eggs, citrus, and tomatoes when he was young and, though he outgrew them, I was nervous about giving them to DD.  She said they can test for those at the same time as the cinnamon. 

So I guess my questions are:

1)  Will the allergist ask me what I want DD tested for?  Will he ask what we were allergic to and just automatically run the tests? Is there just a general spectrum they will run - nuts, citrus, etc?

2)  What is the test like?  Sounds like a blood draw?  Do I want to know how they will keep my 9 month old still long enough to draw blood?  I thought it would be skin pricks, but snooping around here it looks like I might be wrong. 

Can you tell I'm anxious about this appointment?!  Ugh, sorry, thanks for your help!

SaranJonathan

I had a history of food allergies as a child. My DD had an allergic reaction to eggs (hives head to toes) first time she ate them. Funny enough that was not something I was allergic to as a child. Anyways our pediatric allergist did the skin test. He did a panel and we discussed anything else I wanted. He did do things like milk and soy even though we have had 0 issues with them. He also ran peanut and shellfish even though she never had them. She came up postive for eggs and shellfish. Anyways he then ran a RAST test for the 2 that came up positive. He will follow those every 6 months. He says the skin test is more sensitive but RAST is easier to follow if the level is decreasing or not.

As for how they will draw the blood. We have always had 2 tech and they did an awesome job (at the childrens hospital). Yes DC will be upset but he/she will be fine I promise!

Good luck

alicb

SaranJonathan:

I had a history of food allergies as a child. My DD had an allergic reaction to eggs (hives head to toes) first time she ate them. Funny enough that was not something I was allergic to as a child. Anyways our pediatric allergist did the skin test. He did a panel and we discussed anything else I wanted. He did do things like milk and soy even though we have had 0 issues with them. He also ran peanut and shellfish even though she never had them. She came up postive for eggs and shellfish. Anyways he then ran a RAST test for the 2 that came up positive. He will follow those every 6 months. He says the skin test is more sensitive but RAST is easier to follow if the level is decreasing or not.

As for how they will draw the blood. We have always had 2 tech and they did an awesome job (at the childrens hospital). Yes DC will be upset but he/she will be fine I promise!

Good luck

This helps a lot, thank you!

magdusia

1)  Will the allergist ask me what I want DD tested for? Usually they will ask you what you suspect and then add other common allergens.  I would definitely have her tested for the top 8 since your DH had allergies.  Will he ask what we were allergic to and just automatically run the tests? he should ask if it runs in the family. Is there just a general spectrum they will run - nuts, citrus, etc? top 8 (milk, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, shell fish) and then what ever else you add to the list

2)  What is the test like? it can be uncomfortable for the LO so bring toys.  Depends if they do a skin test first or go straight to a RAST (blood) test.  Skin test is pricking the back with the allergens and waiting a bit to see if she reacts.  Some doctors just do a skin test and some do a skin test and then do the blood test. Sounds like a blood draw?  Do I want to know how they will keep my 9 month old still long enough to draw blood? we were sent to a lab and they couldn't draw his blood (after pricking him with the needle almost 10 times and i had to scream "enough").. i ended up going to my pediatrician and she drew his blood without a problem (he was 8 months old) I thought it would be skin pricks, but snooping around here it looks like I might be wrong. 

Good luck!!!