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Food Allergy
TwinMama83
member
What is the allergy testing schedule like?
TwinMama83
member
in Food Allergy
Hi. We suspect a pea/legume allergy in both my DS and DD, and a corn allergy and milk intolerance in my DS. The pedi said that we will do "allergy testing" at around 12mo because she says that the tests are generally not accurate before that time.
What are the tests like? Is a skin test the first step? If that comes up negative, do they try a blood test next? Will they test for multiple allergens, or just the ones we suspect?
Sorry for the long list of questions. 
I'm just a little confused about all of this. Generally I appreciate my pedi's laid back attitude, but for this I'm just starting to get a little worried. TIA!
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Re: What is the allergy testing schedule like?
my son had his first "pricking test" at 8 months and about a month later a blood test due to an anaphalectic reaction he had from touching a piece of egg.
Some doctors do a scratch test, instead of a pricking test -but it's the same. it's uncomfortably, especially if there is an allergy so make sure you bring a bottle, paci and all those comfy things for the LO's.
We went to the allergist, he pricked my son's back and they usually leave you for 20 minutes and then come back (mine couldn't wait 10 seconds b/c his back swelled with blisters and he had to be washed w/ benadryl). They check for any reactions and if they think it's necessary, they will send you for blood testing. I'm not sure if they all turn out negative if they still do blood test, it's possible b/c there is no way they are going to prick your kids for the top 8 and the ones you listed. that would be way too much. My son only reacted to egg, but was tested positive for milk, egg, peanut.. during the blood test it turned out that he's allergic to milk, soy, egg, peanut, sesame.. Even though they scratched him for soy but his back was so messy due to the blisters that it's possible they just didn't see it.
During their 1 year check up -the pedi takes blood from them.. So you should schedule the allergist right before the 1 year check up so that if blood work is necessary, the pedi can just take the blood once. (i guess an extra tube or what ever it is). The allergist sent me to a lab for blood and it was torture b/c they couldn't find my sons vein and they pricked the needle about 10 times... so i went to my pedi and she just did it w/out any issues and didn't need to take his blood at 1 year appt b/c she just used that same blood (not sure if your doc would do the same though -but worth asking so your kids don't get pricked with a needle again)
Given that you have two -i'm sure you know to bring someone. I went alone to the first one and even with one it was hard. My experience was bad with my allergist b/c he sucked. I found a great allergist after that myself and have been going to her ever since and the experience is totally different. so make sure you like your allergist..
Don't be sorry, the info was great! Thanks! I had never really thought about having to be poked twice and bringing someone else. I usually do it all alone with the twins, but you're right... any kind of testing like that would be exceedingly difficult by myself so I'll be sure that my DH is off that day. Thanks again!
Our pediatrician was suspicious of allergies so we did the blood test (easier and no wait for an allergist). Blood test flagged a bunch of stuff that we were all surprised by so we began our food allergy "journey" and waited for our appt with the allergist. They had to take a lot of blood, so I agree you will need help. When we did DD's blood work, we had the script for the lead testing (that is a blood test where I live...used to be a finger prick).
Allergist was not bad for us. DS was little and they said he could run anywhere in the place for the 20 minutes as long as nothing touched his back (us, his hands, no shirt, no wall, etc.). I didn't realize this and was worried and hoping we could strap him into his stroller. So he ran the halls and they wiped him down and talked to us about the results. The whole appt took 2ish hours. I had DH with me. I always do things alone with my 2 kids, but the allergy stuff I do not do alone. Our allergist has a tv in each room and they tell you to bring your dvds (and they have some) which distracts some kids.
Good luck. There are different ways to do it, but if you have both types done, you can see where there is consistency considering neither test is 100%.