Allergy test

chiogirl02

Has anyone's baby had an allergy test before. That is the next step in our process for Chase and I was really surprised when the doctor said she believes in the old school prick test. She said it would be 20-25 pricks and that they would not test for outdoor things such as pollen because he hasn't lived through enough seasons yet. 20-25 sounds like a lot and painful. She pricked my arm just to show us and I still have a red mark on my arm and that was 3 hours ago. I know its what we have to do but man it sounds like torture. They can't have anything to eat or drink after while they wait for the reactions either and once they are done we can't hold him because we can't touch his back. My child is going to be so upset. I'm stressed already about this and we don't have it done until the 18th.

JaysonandKristin

What are his symptoms?

chiogirl02

We visited an asthma and allergy specialist. They are doing the test to see if they can find what is causing his asthma to flare up so bad. He has the constant coughing(sometimes to the point where he chokes and gags and turns red in the face), heavy breathing, and wheezing. He catched colds very easily but with his asthma they are a lot worse than the average cole.

chiogirl02

They are testing for food allergies and indoor allergins such as mold, mildew, pets, dust, etc. They wont do outside allergins.We haven't noticed any food allergies yet and he gets fed a pretty good variety of stuff at daycare.

JaysonandKristin

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't he a preemie?  I thought you were like the first one of us to give birth.

chiogirl02

Yes he was exactly a month premature and weighed 4lbs 11 ounces. I originally went into preterm labor at 26 weeks.

JaysonandKristin

Is that a factor in all of this?  Lung development, being premature and such?  

I'm just curious whether or not the allergist is considering how much of a role (if any) that would play in his asthma?  I'm just genuinely curious.  I don't have any kind of agenda here.  

As for the allergy testing, we just went through with the RAST testing on Friday.  Skin testing isn't an option as he's covered head-to-toe in eczema and rashes.  This wasn't a big deal, as it was just a blood draw and our phlebotomist was top notch.  I can't imagine having to go through with scratch testing.  OY!  

The blood test just seemed easier as it covered a wide variety of allergens, but only required a few vials of blood.  Is that even an option?  I mean, the allergist can't force you to do anything; do you agree that the scratch test is the best option for your son?